I Haue purpoſed only in this Worke, to handle the gouernment of a Woman with childe, and the meanes to helpe her in her trauaile; together with the order which is neceſſarie for her in her childebed. But becauſe this gouernment is particular, and proper to a Woman with childe, before we giue order thereunto, wee must firſt finde out whether ſhee be with childe, or no.

HAuing ſhewne the meanes to know whether a woman be truely conceiued, it will not be from the purpoſe to handle this queſtion for the ſatisfaction of ſome curious minds, who as ſoone as the Chirurgion hath giuen his cenſure that a woman is with child, demaunds preſently of him whether it will be a boy,The difference of ſexe is hard to foretell. or a wench? But as it is very hard to know at the firſt whether the woman be with child or no, ſo by great reaſon muſt it needs be farre more difficult to diſcerne, and diſtinguiſh the difference of the ſexe, and to determine whether it will be a boy or a wench.

I know there are ſome that boaſt they can certainely do it, but for the moſt part it hapneth rather by chance, then through either arte or skill. And for proofe thereof, I haue ſhewed them a child newly come from the mothers wombe, onely laying my hand vpon the priuie parts, yet durſt they not be ſo bold as giue their opinion thereof, ſaying, that it were more eaſie to iudge of it when it was in the wombe, ſeeing that from thence might be gathered many euident ſignes: but wee muſt account the greateſt part of them to be vncertaine, as we haue formerly ſaid. Neuertheleſſe, to diſtinguiſh the Male from the Female, we will preſently ſhew all the marks which we euer knew, or could obſerue, either out of the ancient, or moderne writers.

And firſt of all, yong women commonly are with child rather of a boy then of a wench, becauſe they be hoter then the elder women, which was obſerued by Ariſtotle, who ſaith farther, Aristotle. that if an aged woman which neuer had children before, chance to conceiue, one may be ſure it will be a wench. The like hapneth (as ſome write) to women, which conceiue when the winde is in the South, who for the moſt part bring forth daughters, and when the Northwind bloweth, ſonnes.Obſeruation.

Hippocrates ſaith, Hipp. Aph. that a woman which goeth with a boy hath a good colour, for a woman in her caſe, but if it be of a wench, ſhe will haue a worſe complexion. Likewiſe if the right breaſt be harder and firmer, the nipple hard, red, and more eminent, the milke white and thicke, which being milked or ſpirtled againſt a ſleeke-ſtone, or ſome ſuch ſmooth thing, continues in a round forme like a pearle,Signes of a boy. and being caſt euen into water it diſſolueth not, but ſinks directly to the bottome: and if you make a cake with the ſaid milke and flower, and in the baking it continues firme, and cloſe, it is a ſigne the woman is with child of a boy. Againe, ſhe that goeth with a boy, hath the right ſide of her belly bigger, and more copped, and there the child ſtirreth ofteneſt. This motion commonly at ſixe weekes is ſcarſe ſenſible, but at two months and a halfe more manifeſt. The Male child lyeth high aboue the Nauell by reaſon of his heate, and the Female at the bottome of the belly, becauſe of her coldnes and weight. They which be with child of a boy are more quicke and nimble in all their actions, and be in better health of body, without being ſubiect to many infirmities, which commonly happen to women with child of a wench.

•• gnes ga • hered out • f Auicen. Auicen obſerueth theſe ſignes, That a woman with child of a boy hath the pulſe of her right ſide ſtronger, higher, and thicker, then that of the left: ſhe will reach out her right hand rather then her left, and in going ſhe wil alwayes ſet forth the right foote formoſt: her right breſt is bigger then the left, and the right eye greater, brighter, and more ſparkling: and if a woman about her laſt months haue any great ſickneſſe, or any throwes, without being deliuerd, it is ſome likelyhod that ſhe is with child of a boy, ſince the male child is faſter tied and bound then the female, becauſe the ligaments which hold and faſten him are ſtronger and dryer then they that bind and ſupport a wench.

Signes of a wench.A woman which is with child of a daughter hath a pale, heauy, and ſwarth countenance, a melancolique eye: ſhe is wayward, fretfull, and ſad: ſhe beares in her face as Hippocrates ſaith, Hippocrates lib. de ſtipilitate. Maculam ſolarem, that is to ſay, her face is ſpotted with red, like thoſe who haue been much in the ſunne: her left breſt is bigger then the right; and the top of the nipple blacke. The milke which comes forth of her breſts is blewiſh, thin, and watriſh: her belly is flat; and ſhe feeles her burthen moue on the left ſide, and that, not before the fourth moneth: the veines of her thighes, and groine, are bigger, and more knottie on the left ſide then on the right. An honeſt Gentlewoman aſſured me that ſhe had made triall of this receipt, which is,An experiment. to take an equall quantitie of Claret wine, and of vrine made in the morning, put them together into a glaſſe, and let them ſtand a whole day, if there appeare in the bottome a groſſe cloud, thicke like to Beane-broth, it is a ſigne the woman is with child of a boy, if it appeare in the middeſt, it is ſigne of a wench, if there be nothing found in the bottome but the ordinary reſidence of vrine, it ſhewes ſhe is not with child at all.

An experiment likewiſe may be made out of the practiſe of Liuia, Another experiment of Liuia. the Mother of the Emperour Tiberius, who being with child, and deſirous to know with what ſhe went, tooke an egge from vnder a Henne that ſate, and kept it warme ſo long in her hands, till at laſt a Cock-Chicken was hatched out of it, whereby ſhe knew that ſhe ſhould haue a ſonne, which proued to be Tyberius the Emperour, as Suetonius reporteth.

Heere will it not be beſide our purpoſe to ſet downe what Hippocrates writes in his booke de ſuperfaetatione, The meanes how to bege • a ſonne, or a daughter. of the meanes how to get a man or woman-child. He that wil (ſaith he) beget a ſonne, muſt know his wife as ſoone as her courſes are ſtayed, and then try the vtmoſt of his ſtrength; but if he deſire to get a daughter, then muſt he companie with his wife a good while after her courſes, or at that time when ſhe hath them: and beſide, he muſt tye his right ſtone as hard as he can endure it; and when he would haue a ſonne, he muſt tye the left. But Ariſtotle ſeemes wrongfully to blame his worthie man, when he ſayth, that the generation of Males or Females depends of the ſtrength of the ſeed, and not of the ſtones, the vſe whereof he ſaith, is not for generation. But experience teacheth vs the contrary, for the countreymen when they would haue a Bull beget a Cow-Calfe, or a Bull-Calfe, they tye the right ſtone for the one, and the left for the other.

To know whether a woman will bring two children. THe ſignes that a woman hath conceiued two children, doe ſeldome appeare before the third or fourth moneth, which then is knowne, both by the mouing of the children, and alſo by the greatnes and ſwelling of the womans belly. As for the motion, if it be felt ſtrong and forceable both on the right and the left ſide, at the ſame inſtant, then it is apparent, that there be two children. Likewiſe for the greatnes of her belly, if it appeare more ſwollen and bigger then in her other child-bearing, if the ſides be higher then the middle of her belly, and from the nauell downeward there appeare as it were a line or ſeparation betweene both ſides creaſted; if the woman beare her burthen with difficultie, and her belly fall vpon her thighes and hips, then may you ſafely ſay that ſhe goeth with two children.

WOmen are oftentimes deceiued in reckoning themſelues with child, for they thinke themſelues with child when it is nothing but the ſtopping of their naturall ſickneſſe, which keepeth not due courſe. Some haue a falſe conception, which is as it were the beginning of Mola. Others haue the Mola it ſelfe, which we commonly call the Moone-calfe.

Falſe conception is a lump of fleſh gathered together commonly like to the gizard of a fowle,What a falſe conception is. which is bigger or leſſer according to the continuance of it, which nature commonly expelleth in the ſecond, third, or fourth month. But the Mola is farre bigger, and continues a yeare or two, yea ten or twelue, and ſometime as long as the woman liues. Of this Mola there be two kinds, the one may be called a true, the other a falſe one.Mola is either true, or falſe. The true Mola is fleſhy, being nothing elſe but an vnprofitable maſſe, without ſhape or forme, hard and firme, bred within the Matrice, and cleauing to the ſides thereof. The falſe Mola is of three ſorts, the one windy, being a collection of groſſe winds: the ſecond watriſh, or a heaping together of waters: the third humorall, or a meeting of many humors. All three contained within the capacitie of the womb, which doth make them differ from the ſwelling, hardnes, or Scyrehus of the ſaid wombe, or from any fleſh, water, or humor, which may chance to cleaue to, or touch the outward part thereof. Theſe are often bred together with the child,Mola bred together with the child. but then they cauſe death, either for that the child is deceiued of his nouriſhment which is carried to the Mola; or becauſe he wanting roome, cannot grow and come to perfection.

Hippocrates. Hippocrates ſaith, that there be ſome liuing and ſome dead Moles. The dead are like to the falſe burthens, ſo called, becauſe women carry them not long, as being but lightly tyed and faſtned to the ſides of the Matrice. Sometime they are deuided into diuers ſeuerall pieces, ſo that Nicholas Nicolus ſaith, he ſaw a woman which caſt forth nine of them in one day, the leaſt whereof waighed foure pound. The quicke and liuing Moles are they which wholy cleaue to the wombe, and continue with the woman euen to her death.

Cauſe of the fleſh Mole.The cauſe of the fleſhy Mole according to the ancient writers cannot wholly proceede from the woman, but the man muſt adde ſomewhat thereunto. Galen holdeth, that it is bred when the mans ſeed is weake, barren, imperfect, or in little quantitie; and for the moſt part choked through the abundance of the menſtruous bloud, which is groſſe and thicke, vnfit for the framing of a child, ſo that in ſtead thereof is bread a lumpe of fleſh that by little and little increaſeth, being wrapped in his owne membrane, which nature effecteth, as deſirous to bring forth any thing rather then to be idle.

The windie Mole is ingendred through want of heate in the Matrice, and other parts adioyning,Windie Mole. as the Liuer and Spleene, whereby much wind is bred and ſhut vp in the emptineſſe of the wombe. It may alſo come from without, as in women newly deliuered, and in ſuch which hauing had their naturall courſes in great abundance, doe venture too ſoone into the cold aire.

The watry Mole proceeds from the abundance of watrie ſhowres which is ſent from the Liuer,Watry Mole. or the Spleene, or other parts thereabouts; or elſe through the weakenes of the Matrice, which cannot aſſimilate the bloud that is brought to nouriſh it, part whereof is turned into water, and being not voided, ſtayeth in the wombe.

The humorall Mole is bred by reaſon of too much moiſture, as of ſerious, or whayiſh humors,Humorall of the whites, or watriſh euacuations, which come downe through the veſſels of the Matrice, and are ſtayed in the concauitie thereof.

Falſe conception hath ſome common ſignes with the true, as ſuppreſſion of the naturall courſes,Common ſignes. depraued appetite, diſtaſtfulneſſe, vomiting, ſwelling of the belly and breaſts, ſo that it is very hard to diſtinguiſh the one from the other. But theſe that follow are more proper to the falſe,Signes of falſe conception. then the true birth: for (as Hippocrates ſaith) In falſe conception, or Mola, the face is commonly puft vp, their breaſts which were ſwollen at the beginning, doe fall, and dayly wax ſoft, limber, and lanke, and without milke. In the end, the face, breaſts, armes, thighes, and legs grow leane and thin: true it is, that they ſwell towards night, like thoſe that haue the dropſie, the belly riſeth and groweth quickly, and withall very hard, for the moſt part of an equall roundneſſe, with diuers pricking paines in the bottome of the belly that neuer ceaſe, which makes them that they can hardly walke, being hindred as it were with a heauie burthen, and hauing oftentimes a windineſſe in the wombe, as Ahaſis reporteth.

Signes from the motion.The ſaid Hippocrates obſerueth, how that by the motion it may eaſily be knowne, for in true conception the male child beginneth to ſtirre at the end of the third moneth, or ſooner; and the female at the third or fourth moneth: and where there is no ſuch quickning, we muſt obſerue whether there be any milke in the breſts, if there be none found, it is a ſigne that it is a Mole.The child moueth of it ſelfe, and not the Mole. Beſide, the mother feeleth the child moue euery way, both on the right ſide, and on the left, as much aboue, as below, and in the middle, without any helpe. But in falſe conception, though there be ſome motion, it is not animall, but proceedeth rather from the expulſiue facultie of the Mother then of the Mole, which hauing no liuing ſoule endeuoureth not of it ſelfe to come forth, neither prouoketh the wombe as the child doth, who hauing neede of aire to breath in, ſeekes after it. But this is a moſt euident ſigne when the woman lyes downe on either ſide, for then ſhe feeles it fall like a boule, and is not able to vphold, or ſtay it; yea, and being laid on her backe, if her belly be preſſed or cruſhed, it will remaine in the place whither it is thruſt, without comming backe againe. Now that which moſt aſſureth vs, is,True ſignes. when the nine moneths are paſt, and the woman not deliuered, but her belly growes bigger, and ſwelleth more and more, and all the other parts grow leane and leſſe, this is a ſure ſigne of a Mole, though there be ſome women that haue borne their children ten, yea, eleuen moneths.

The ſignes of the windy Mole are theſe,Signes of the windy. the belly is equally ſwollen and ſtretched like a bladder, ſofter then in the fleſhy Mole, and chiefely neere the groine and neather belly, which being ſtruck vpon ſoundeth like a Tabour: ſometime it decreaſeth, and otherwhile it ſwelleth more: it is ſooner bred and increaſed then the fleſhy or watery, and ſtretches the belly as though it would teare it, which is not proper to the fleſhy.

As for the watery and humorall,Signes of the watry and humorall. the ſignes are almoſt alike, the belly growes big, and riſeth by little and little. If you touch it with your finger ſometimes the print thereof will remaine behind: it is euen, without any hardneſſe. It is true, that the woman lying on her backe, her flancks are fuller and bigger then the middle and bottome of the belly, which waxe flat, the water and humor running frō one ſide to the other; and in ſhaking the belly, they feele a ſwimming and floting of water.

Difference betweene the Watry and Humorall.This difference may be alſo added, that in the the watriſh the flancks, groine, and ſometime the thighes are more diſtended and ſwollen then in the humorall, becauſe the wateriſh ſubſtance ſtealeth thither ſooneſt: beſides, that which paſſeth forth and bloweth below is cleare like water, without any ill ſmell; but that which floweth in the humorall is reddiſh, and like to the waſhing of fleſh, and of a bad ſent. This alſo is to be obſerued, that in the falſe conception the naturall courſes flow not, and that the Nauell doth ſhew it ſelfe but little, or not at all, as it commonly doth when the Mother is with child. Concerning the cure thereof, I meane (god-willing) to handle it hereafter.

THat a woman with child may enioy her perfect health, ſhe muſt diligently obſerue that which conſiſteth in the vſe of the ſixe things not naturall, which are the Aire, Meate and Drinke, Exerciſe and Reſt, Sleeping and Waking, Fulneſſe and Emptineſſe, and the Paſſions of the Minde.

Good Aire fit for a woman with childFirſt therefore ſhe muſt dwell and liue in a good and well tempered Aire, which is neither too hote, nor too cold, or wateriſh: not ſubiect to any foggie miſts, or winds, and eſpecially the South-wind. For (as Hippocrates ſaith) when thoſe winds doe blow vpon euery light occaſion, women miſcarrie. The Northwind alſo is hurtfull vnto them, for thoſe winds breed thin rheumes, diſtillations, & troubleſome Coughs in great-bellyed women,The Cough naught for women with child. cauſing them oftentimes to abort, or be deliuered before their due time. Likewiſe ſuch winds as bring with them ill ſmells and vapours, which being drawne in together with the Aire we breathe, into the Lungs, do many times breed very dangerous and troubleſome diſeaſes. Aristotle ſaith,Bad ſmells to be auoided. that the ſmell of a Candle put forth, may cauſe a woman to abort, or looſe her fruite: wherefore ſhe muſt beware of all ill Aire, and make her abode in houſes well and pleaſantly ſeated, ſhunning as much as may be poſſible all bad ſauours.

Concerning her Dyet,Her Dyet. ſhe muſt vſe meates which be of good nouriſhment, and breede good iuice, moderately drying. The quantitie muſt be ſufficient both for her ſelfe, and for her child, and therefore they are to be diſpenced withall from faſting at any time: for ſometime too much abſtinence makes the child weake and ſickly, and cauſeth him often to be borne before his time, ſeeking after nouriſhment, which he cannot find within his Mothers body. As alſo the too great quantity of meate his Mother takes, may often ſtifle him,Too much meate ſtifleth. or elſe make him grow ſo big, that he cannot keepe himſelfe in his place, which conſtraines him either to come forth, or elſe makes him ſickly, ſeeing that thoſe meates are corrupted wherewith he is nouriſhed a fed. Hippocrates writeth in Epidem. that the Siſter of Caius Duellius after ſhe had eate her fill, aborted.

All meates which are either too hote, cold, or too moiſt, are to be auoided, and chiefely in the beginning of meales;Salt meates bad. as alſo thoſe which are too ſalt, or ouer-much ſpiced; and likewiſe all baked meates are vtterly forbidden. Aristotle and Plinie write, that if a woman with child eate much ſalt meate, her childe will be borne without nayles; which ſhewes, that he will not be long liued. Her Bread muſt be of good Wheate, well kneaded, light, and alſo well baked.Fit meates. For her meate ſhe may vſe Henne, Chicken, Capon, yong Pigeons, Turtle, Pheaſants, Larks, Partridge, Veale, & Mutton: and for Herbs, let her take Lettuſe,Hearbs. Endiue, Borage, Bugloſſe, and Sorrell, abſtaining from all raw Sallads. She may cloſe her ſtomacke after meate with Peares, or Quinces bak't or preſerued; as likewiſe with Cheries, or Damſons. She muſt ſhun all diureticall things,Diureticall and windy meates are naught. which prouoketh either vrine, or the naturall courſes, and ſuch as are windie, as Peaſe and Beanes. Notwithſtanding, women with child haue oftentimes ſuch diſordinate appetite, by reaſon of ſome ſalt or ſharp humor which is contained within the membranes of the ſtomacke, that they deſire to eate Coles, Chalke, Aſhes, Waxe, Salt-fiſh raw, yea and vnwatred; and to drinke Veriuice, and Vineger, yea very dregs, ſo that it is impoſſible to hinder them from eating and taſting them. But yet they muſt refraine and ouer-maiſter themſelues therein as much as they can, ſince that ſuch foode may much hurt and hinder both their owne and their childs health. Neuertheleſſe if they cannot forbeare, ſuffer them a little, and let them haue their longings, for feare leaſt it ſhould proue worſe with them.Accidents that may happen. For I haue ſeene many women which being hindered and forbidden frō vſing ſuch traſh, haue preſently fallen into trauell: and in others, their children haue carried the marks of ſome of the things they ſo earneſtly deſired and longed after. Beſide, although that ſuch meates for the moſt part are very bad and contrary, Lib. 2. Aph. 38. Cibus & potus deterior, ſuauior tamen: melioribus quidem ſed inſuauioribus eſt anteponendus. yet for the deſire they haue to eate them they are digeſted commonly without hurting the partie at all. Meate and drinke (ſaith Hippocrates) is better and fitter, though it be ſome-what worſe, then that which is better, and not ſo agreeable and pleaſing.

For her Drinke ſhe may vſe Claret wine, mature,Her Drinke. and not too ſtrong, which ſhe muſt allay very well. For this Wine hath power to comfort and ſtrengthen the ſtomacke, and all the other parts ſeruing for nouriſhment and generation: and if ſhe cannot away with Wine, let her drinke Hydromell, or Barley-water well boyled.

Her ſleepe muſt be in the night,Her Sleepe. the better to digeſt the meate ſhe hath taken: for watchings doe ingender crudities and diſeaſes, which cauſe vntimely births in ſtead of faire and goodly children; and chiefely, ſhe muſt auoid ſleeping after dinner. But in the morning ſhe may take her eaſe, as ſhe ſhall thinke beſt, yet not turning (as ſome great Ladies do) the day into night, and the night into day.

Exerciſe.She may vſe moderate exerciſe, but violent motion looſneth the Cotiledons or veſſels of the Matrice whereby the child receiues his nouriſhment. They muſt be forbid riding in Waggins or Coaches, eſpecially in the three firſt months: for as vpon a ſmall occaſion we ſee the fruits and flowers of trees do fall (as by ſome little wind that ſhakes the tree, or the like,) ſo many times through a light cauſe women great with child,Cauſes of Abortment. in ſtirring or moouing themſelues, yea, or but ſetting their foot awry, may be deliuer'd before their time.

It was not without good cauſe that the Romanes forbad their Wiues to ride in Coaches, the which alſo ought to be obſerued in theſe dayes, eſpecially by thoſe who are ſubiect to take hurt, and therefore let them walke gently, taking an eſpeciall heed and care to themſelues the firſt three moneths.

Great noyſes hurtfull.She muſt ſhun all great noyſe and ſounds, as of Thunder, Artillery, and great Bells. Galen in his booke de Theriaca, ſayth, that many women with child haue died with the very fright they receiued by a clap of thunder: and when ſhe is afraid of hurting her ſelfe or falling into trauaile, let her be carried in a Chaire or Litter between two ſtrong men, and chiefely two howres before meales: for as a woman may eaſily looſe her burthen the firſt moneth, becauſe her child (though he be but little) is not yet firmely faſtned and tyed to the wombe, ſo likewiſe being great or big through his weight, he may fall downe, and come forth; wherefore all violent exerciſe, and too much labour,Violent exerciſe hurtfull. is hurtfull and dangerous for her; as alſo to fret, chide, or laugh immoderately. The fourth, fifth, and ſixth moneth ſhe may vſe more libertie, the ſeuenth and eight ſhe muſt keepe herſelfe ſtill and quiet, but when ſhe is in her ninth moneth, then may ſhe vſe more ſtirring, and exerciſe. And therefore is it that Ariſtotle in his Politicks appointeth,Sentence of Ariſtotle. that women with child ſhould not be ſedentary, nor liue too nicely, but that ſince God hath bleſſed them to beare children, they ſhould dayly viſit the Temples of the Gods for their exerciſe.

The which Plato expreſſely commandeth in his Common-wealth, and by a kind of deuotion,Opinion of Plato. and religious pietie. But Ariſtotle in that place ſpeaketh like a Phyſition, as he ſheweth in his booke de Generatione. In the Countrey (ſaith he) where women accuſtome themſelues to labour, they are brought abed more eaſily, and with leſſe paine. In briefe, where women exerciſe themſelues,Women that labour are eaſily deliuered. they are ſooner deliuered, for their exerciſe conſumes the excrements, which idle and ſlothfull women gather and heape together.

In the firſt foure moneths ſhe muſt likewiſe abandon Venus for feare of ſhaking the child,Venus forbidden. and bringing downe her courſes, which muſt alſo be obſerued in the ſixth and eight moneth, but in the ſeuenth and ninth ſhe may boldly vſe it, eſpecially toward the end of the ninth moneth, which ſome are of opinion will help and haſten the deliuery.

Aristotle is of this opinion, (though herein he contradicts the authority of Hippocrates, Aristotles opinion.) The woman with child (ſaith he) ought not to haue the company of her husband. But Aristotle and Hippocrates may eaſily be reconciled; the Philoſopher meaneth, that they ſhould not embrace their wiues all the time of their being with child, but onely toward the time of their lying in, thereby to ſhake the child, and make him come the more readily forth; for comming into the world after this acte, he is commonly enwrapped and compaſſed with ſlime, which helpeth his comming forth.

Her belly muſt be ſoluble.It is alſo requiſite that her belly be looſe, not retaining her excrements, and that ſhe haue (if it be poſſible) euery day the benefit of Nature, which if it be not done naturally, it muſt be helpt, taking euery morning ſome broth of Damaske-Prunes; Alſo Apples ſtued with Suger, and a little Butter, is very fit and good. She may vſe Broth wherein Borage, Bugloſſe, Purſlane, Lettuſe, Patience, and a little of the herbe Mercury hath beene boyled. She may likewiſe take Suppoſitaries ſo they be not too ſharpe.Cliſters. Cliſters made of a Calues-head, or of a Sheepes-head, boyled with Annis-ſeed, and Fennil-ſeed, wherein ſome courſe Suger, and oyle of Violets is diſſolued, are very conueniēt, vſing them neuertheleſſe with diſcretion, leauing out all manner of ingredients which might cauſe a fluxe of the belly, Lib. 5. Aph. 34. Mulieri grauidae ſi aluus proſuſior ſit, abortionis periculum imminet. Lib. 5. Aph. 21. for feare of Abortment, or being deliuered before their time, as Hippocrates ſaith.

Notwithſtanding the ſame Hippocrates is of opinion, that women with child in caſes of neceſſitie may be purged from the fourth to the ſeuenth moneth,A Woman with Child may be purged. but before and after thoſe times he admits it not, nay, he forbids it directly; which for all that the Phiſitions of our time obſerue not in caſes of danger, becauſe the Medicines we vſe in theſe dayes, as Rubarbe, Manna, Caſſia, and Tamarinds, are not ſo violent as thoſe that were vſed by our Ancients, which were Hellebor, Scammony, Turbith, Coloquintida, or the like: and wee muſt take eſpeciall care of giuing them any opening things which may either prouoke vrine,Opening medicines muſt be auoided. Lib. 5. Aph. 60. or their naturall courſes; for as the ſame Author ſaith, It is impoſſible for the child to be healthfull if the mother haue her naturall ſicknes.

Bloud-letting is forbid them, vnleſſe it be very needefull, eſpecially if the child be growne any thing big, becauſe he hath more neede of foode and nouriſhment, then at the beginning when he was little: for take away his ſuſtenance, and he will waxe leane and feeble, being oftentimes driuen for want thereof to ſeeke a paſſage forth. Notwithſtanding there are ſome women ſo ſanguine and full of bloud that we are forced to take ſome of it away, leaſt the child be ſtifled with the ouer-great quantitie thereof, or when they fall into diſeaſes where it is neceſſary to open a veine.Conſiderations concerning Bloud-letting. The fitteſt time (if it be not in caſe of neceſſitie) is from the fourth, to the ſeuenth moneth. I haue ſeene a woman with child who for a Pleuriſie was let bloud eleuen ſeuerall times, and yet ſtayed her full terme, and was well deliuered.

Paſſions of the mind.Now concerning the paſſions of the minde, a woman with child muſt be pleaſant and merrie, ſhunning all melancholike and troubleſome things that may vexe or moleſt her mind: for as Aristotle ſaith, A woman with child muſt haue a ſetled and quiet mind, which Auicen alſo counſelleth, that thoſe which haue conceiued, ought to be preſerued from all feare, ſadneſſe, and diſquietnes of mind, without ſpeaking or doing any thing that may offend or vexe them;An obſeruation. For great bellied women. ſo that diſcreet women, and ſuch as deſire to haue children, will not giue eare vnto lamentable and fearefull tales or ſtoryes, nor caſt their eyes vpon pictures or perſons which are vglie or deformed, leaſt the imagination imprint on the child the ſimilitude of the ſaid perſon or picture, which doing, women ſhall be ſure to be well and happily deliuered, and that (With the help of God) they ſhall beare their burthen to the full terme, which ſhall be ſent into the world without much paine, promiſing them a happie and ſpeedie deliuerie. To conclude, they muſt leaue off their Busks as ſoone as they perceiue themſelues with child, not lacing themſelues too ſtraight, or cruſhing themſelues together,She muſt take need of lacing her ſelfe too hard. for feare leaſt the child be miſhapen and crooked, or haue not his naturall growth: and their garments muſt be rather light and thin, then heauie and cumberſome.

THere be ſome Women, which beare their children high, and (as they ſay) within their ſtomacke: ſo that they are nimbler, either in going, or ſtirring: without being let or hindred thereby at all. Others carrie them verie low,The diuers ſituation of the child. hauing their belly ſtanding verie much out, which brings them much inconuenience: as paine of the Hips, and Groine, and then they complaine, as if thoſe parts, and their belly were rent and torne in pieces. Contrariwiſe, there be others, that hide their child, within their raines, and beare it verie backward; which cauſeth them to haue exceeding great paine in their backs. In the two latter caſes, we had need to helpe them: for as Hippocrates ſaith; Hipp. When women with child are troubled with great paine in their backe, and legs; then are they in danger to be deliuered before their time. The like may be alſo ſaid, of them that haue much paine in their belly and groine.

Cauſe of theſe paines.Theſe paines commonly, do rather proceed from the heauineſſe of the child, then of any quantitie of humors, which abound in the bodie. For at that time, the wombe being great, thicke, and full, by reaſon of the child which is big, and large, and of the bed, or after-burthen, and oftentimes filled with great ſtore of water; on which ſide ſoeuer the wombe reſteth, it drawes the ligaments and bonds with it, that hold and faſten it to the foreſaid parts: and by the force of this dilation, and ſtretching, doth cauſe and prouoke paines in the backe, hips, and groine: aſwell by reaſon they are tyed thereto; as likewiſe for the continuitie of thoſe neighbouring parts,The Cure. which touch them. For the remedying whereof, the woman muſt keepe her ſelfe ſtill, and quiet, without much ſtirring, or ſhaking: ſhe muſt eat little, and often, and of meats that be light, and eaſie of digeſtion: for the ſtomake being full, doth preſſe the body of the Matrice, and thruſts it downward. Therefore ſhe muſt were Swathes, which may helpe to ſupport, and keep vp her belly: that by ſuch a reſt and ſwathing, the ligaments, which are lengthned, and ſtretched, may be ſomewhat brought backe to their proper places: which muſt be confirmed and ſtrengthned by theſe meanes.

All the bottome of her backe, and raines muſt be annointed with Vnguentum Comitiſsae, or elſe this ointment.

If the woman with child feel any coldneſſe (as it happens to ſome, by reaſon of their cold temperature) which makes them ſhiuer, and quake: let there be added to the former ointment, Ol. Costin. & Aneth. an. ℥ ſs.

But if ſhe find any heat there, or burning, then applie ſome ointment, that hath vertue to comfort, and coole.

Likewiſe it may chance,A good obſeruation. through the waightineſſe of the wombe, which reſteth in the bottome, that the woman with child cannot make water; which hapning, ſhe herſelfe, with both hands muſt lift vp the bottome of her belly: by meanes whereof, ſhe ſhall hinder the bodie of the wombe, from preſſing, and cruſhing the bladder, and eſpecially the necke thereof, which is loaded and oppreſſed with the ſaid wombe. You may applie below, ſome bathing or fomentation, made with the leaues of Mallowes, Althaea, Creſſes, and Parietarie, with a little Lin-ſeed, to make the paſſage more looſe, ſoft, and eaſie to be inlarged, or widened.

AS there be diuers winds and vapours, that are ſhut vp, and incloſed in the neather belly of a woman with child, which procure great paines in her hips, backe, and groine: for the reaſons before rehearſed.Cauſe of the trembling of the Heart. So likewiſe are there the like vapours, that ariſe from the wombe, and other parts neere, which are incloſed in the Arteries, and by them are carried, and imparted to the heart, which cauſe a panting, and beating: and the heart feeling it ſelfe offended, and oppreſſed by the ſaid vapours, endeuoureth by his motion, to expell and driue them away,The wiſedom of Nature in all her works. far from itſelfe, (Nature hauing giuen to euery part, ſome particular meanes, whereby to repell, and thruſt backe that, which doth annoy, or moleſt it. As the Braine by ſneeſing; the Lungs by coughing; and the ſtomacke by vomiting. But becauſe this accident is oftentimes the forerunner of a Syncope, or ſwouning, therefore will it be needfull to haue care thereof, it being eaſie to be knowne, both by the relation of the party, who finds her heart beate, as alſo by feeling the breaſt vppon the region of the heart with ones hand, with which this motion lifteth vp the ribs and the hand that is laide thereon, yea ſome women haue ſuch a beating, that it makes euen the ribs ſtand out of their place. For remedy whereof, ſuch vapors muſt be kept from ſeaſing vpon the hart, which may be done by well fenſing of it, both within, and without.

If then you perceiue that the woman doe abound with any ill humors, from whence theſe vapours may partly ariſe: ſhe muſt bee purged (as before,) and let bloud, according as the accidents doe require, and the ancients doe appoint, which muſt be done in ſmall quantity, and that, not all at once: but rather at mâny times by little and little. For according to Galen. How a woman with child muſt be let bloud. There is no remedy that more hinders, and altars the courſe of blood and noyſome vapors, from piercing and aſſailing the heart, then letting of bloud doth.

Let her take euery morning, one of theſe Lozenges, which are very proper

Lozenges. ℞. puluer laetitiae Galeni & de gemmis. an ℈ i. pul. lapid. bezoard. & oſsis de corde cerui. an. ℈ s. confect. de hyacintho ʒ s. ſacchari cum aqua ſcordij diſſoluti ℥ ij. fiant tabellae pond. ʒ ij. ſumat vnam ſingulis diebus mane & ſero cubitura.

In ſteed thereof ſhe may vſe this opiate:

Opiate. ℞. conſeruae bugloſſ. & borag. an. ℥ s. conſeruae radicis ſcorzonerae ʒ. vi. corti. citriconditi ʒ iij. ther. veter. ℈ i. pul. electuar. diamarg. frigidi ℈ s. fiat opiata capiat ſingulis diebus mane & ſero ʒ i. vt dictum eſt.

The Claret water before deſcribed is very excellent good, ſome doe vſe the water of Orringe flowers.

The hart muſt be garded.The heart muſt bee outwardly fortified with Quilts, Fomentations, Epithemes, & Cataplaſmes, applied to the region thereof; made with the aforenamed ingredient. Take for the Epitheme or fomentation, the waters of Borage, Bugloſſe, Balme, & of Oringe flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Roſes and of Scordium, adding therto Saunders, Angelica ſeed: Cordiall flowers and the like.

The wombe deſireth good ſmels.And becauſe that the heart and matrice, are delighted with pleaſant odors, let thoſe that are troubled with this diſeaſe vſe good ſmels; ſweet, but neither ſtrong nor piercing.

ONe of the moſt grieuous, and almoſt inſupportable accidents, that can happen to a woman with childe, is the Cough: the which being violent, oftentimes cauſeth head-ach, pain of the ſides, flanks and belly,Inconueniences of the cough. vomiting, & watching, the woman not being able to ſleepe, or take any reſt, for the great concuſſion and agitation which is made through the whole body, which oftentimes puts the woman in danger, to be deliuered before her ordinary time.

For the moſt part it proceedeth of ſome ſharpe and biting vapours,Cauſe. which ariſe from the nether parts, or elſe by the diſtillation of ſome thinne humor, that comes from the braine, and falleth trickling vpon the Trachea Arteria, or wind pipe, & the lungs, which prouokes them to cough, & yet bringing vp little or nothing: the diſtilation may alſo be of ſome thicker humor which falleth downe vpon the ſaid parts.

Therefore wee muſt haue reſpect to the antecedent cauſe,Cure. by hindering ſuch vapors and humors from breeding, then ſtaying thoſe, which may flow or fal downe: if there be any cauſe or matter ioined with it, already fallen and impacted in the lungs & breſt, then muſt it be brought vp by ſpetting.

For the helping hereof,Dyet. they muſt auoide all ſalt and ſpiced meates, as alſo thoſe that are ſharp, and biting eſpecially if it be cauſed by ſome vapours or deſtillation of a thinne or ſerous humour.

Concerning generall medicines:Generall medicines. if it bee accompanied with a feuer, or ſome great heat, it will not be amiſſe to draw a little bloud. then (the better to turne the courſe of the diſtillation): which cauſeth the cough to apply cupping glaſſes vpon the ſhoulders, with ſome light ſcarification. And if the cough ſhould bee of ſo long continuance,Cautery. I would counſell you to lay a cautery in the hollowneſſe of the nape of the neck: which I haue practiſed with good ſucceſſe, but it muſt not be done before you haue tried the medicines following, and when the cough is great and violent.

Frictions.The rubbing of the armes, ſhoulders, and backe muſt not bee omitted, as alſo when the haire is ſhauen away to apply Emplaſterum de Betonica, vpon the head, to ſtay the Rhume.

If the cough be dry, proceeding from ſome thin and ſharpe humor or vapour, it muſt bee thickned, contrariwiſe if the humour be tough and thicke, it muſt be cut, and attenuated, by concocting both, and therefore in this caſe, the vſe of Medicines, that do dull, the ſence therof, are very profitable to mittigate violent Coughs: of which kind are theſe that follow. If the humor bee thin and ſharpe this Iulep taken twice or thrice is very fitte.

If the humor be ſlimy, thicke, and tough ſhe may vſe this Iulep.

Let them often hold in their mouth ſuger candy, eſpecially that which gathers about the pot ſide, wherein ſirop of Violets or the like hath beene put. Let them vſe Trochiſcks, iuice of Licoriſe, and ſometime chawe a peece of Lichoriſe in their mouth. The Lozenges of Diatragacanthum frigidum, Diairis ſimplex, and ſuger of Roſes, are very good. The vſe of Lohocs is very diſtaſtfull, but in ſteed thereof, let them vſe Syrup of Iuiubes, of dryed Roſes, and a little diacodium mingled together, I haue ſeene this medicine doe much good, eſpecially when the cough is great, and that they feele ſome excoriation, and roughnes in the throat.A medicine to take away the roughnes of the throat.

Let them take of this medicine in a ſpoone, ſwallowing it down verie gently, that ſo ſome of it may the better ſlide downe the ſides of the windpipe.

It will be very fit to rub their breaſt all ouer with freſh butter, or oyle of ſweet Almonds: and if they finde any heat, let them vſe oyle of Violets waſhed with Barley water well boyled.Sleeping ſtoppeth fluxes.

And becauſe there is nothing, that ſtayeth deſtillations, better then ſleepe: and that thoſe who haue the cough ſleepe little, it will be very good to make the patient ſleepe, without giuing any violent ſleeping medicine, this Iulep may bee giuen very ſafely.

This remedy procureth ſleepe, and ſo by conſequence ſtayeth the Rheume. If you haue any good Laudanum, you may giue ſafely three or four grains thereof; which I haue ſeene practiſed with proſperous ſucceſſe.

AMongſt many other accidents wherewith women with child are troubled, there are two, the one contrary to the other whereunto they be much ſubiect: that is, either they are bound, and cannot go to the ſtoole but with much inconuenience, and very ſeldome: or elſe they are alwaies looſe and ſubiect to the fluxe.Contrary accidents in women with child. Both may put the woman in danger of miſcarrying. For when ſhe is bound, with much ſtrayning, and that violently to vnburthen nature, the ligaments may bee looſened, or ſome veine opened: and cauſe fluxe of bloud: which may make her fall into trauaile, and therefore it is fit to prouide for it.

Cauſe of Coſtiueneſſe.The retention of the excrements, and coſtiuenes of the belly, may happen, either becauſe they haue vſed to be ſo naturally, or by alteration, and change of yeares, for as Hippocrates ſaith, they who haue their belly moiſt in their youth, in their age will haue it hard and drie, and ſo contrariwiſe. This accident happens to others, becauſe the guts are not prouoked & ſtirred vp by the cliſter of nature (which is the gall,) that they may expell, and thruſt foorth their excrements. There might bee alledged many more reaſons, which at this time I will leaue to ſpeake of, and onely frame my ſelfe to that which moſt commonly is the cauſe of it in women with child, which is referred to two points,Other cauſes of Coſtiuenes either becauſe the guts are preſſed by the vneuennes of the wombe, which is too full, and beeing placed vpon them (and chiefly vpon the great gut) cruſhes and thruſts them one againſt another, in ſuch ſort, that they haue no meanes to inlarge and dilate themſelues, thereby to uoid the excrements contained within them. The other is becauſe the guts, and the excrements within them, are commonly very hard, and dried in women with child, through the great heate, that is in the intrailes, which makes them that they cannot eaſily flow. The ſedentary life alſo, that women leade, is cauſe that their excrements are ſtayed, and gather themſelues together, by little and little, and at the length ſtoppe vp the paſſage. This accident brings vnto them, fluſhing in the face, headach, beating of the Arteries; yea and oftentimes an Ague.

For the curing of this diſeaſe a good order in dyet is verie needfull:Cure. vſing meates that doe moiſten, and keepe the guts ſupple, and ſlipperie, and withall ſoften the excrements: which muſt bee done with very great diſcretion: for too much moyſture may at length ouer much relaxe the ligaments of the the wombe, and of the child, and thereby haſten the deliuery.

Notwitſtanding, a woman with child being too coſtiue, may vſe tender meats, as Veale, wherewith they may make Brothes,Brothes to looſen the belly. with Lettuce, Purcelane, Sorrell, Spinach, Beets, Bugloſſe, Violet leaues, and ſometime a little of the herbe called Mercurie. Let them vſe Prunes, and bak't Apples. Some take two or three gulps of freſh water before their meales: but let them vſe gentle exerciſe to make their excrement follow the more freely. It is alſo verie fit for a woman with child, in the morning when ſhe riſeth, and at night when ſhe goeth to bed, to make proffer to vnburthen nature, without ſtraining her ſelfe, but verie gently. If for all this her belly will not be correſpondent; it will not be amiſſe to giue her Clyſters.

She may alſo take ſome broth wherein is put a ſpoonfull or two of the water, or wine of Seny, which is made after this maner.

Seny wine. Take halfe an ounce of Seny well cleanſed, ſixe cloues bruſed, put them into a diſh, and poure vpon them halfe a pint of wine, or water redy to boyle, and ſo let them ſoke all night, and in the morning take two or three ſpoonfull, which muſt be put into your broth: keeping the reſt, to ſerue you afterward, at your need.

THe Laske, in what maner ſoeuer it be, doth put the woman in danger of comming before her time: and that for diuers reaſons. Firſt,Fluxe of the belly dangerous. becauſe thereby the meat they take for their nouriſhment, is voided too ſoone, which ſhould haue ſtaied and been turned into bloud, for the nouriſhing and ſuſtaining both of the Mother, and the child. And therefore, they both remaine weake, and feeble, which compelleth the child to come foorth, and ſeeke for food elſe where. For as the Prouerbe ſaith;Prouerbe. Hunger makes the Wolfe come foorth of the wood. Beſide, the Mother is ſo troubled with riſing out of her bedde, as alſo with much ſtraining her ſelfe, (eſpecially if it bee the bloudie Flixe) that the wombe oftentimes is ouerturned, and relaxed: and cauſeth the childe to bee caſt foorth of his place, by reaſon of the moiſtneſſe which runneth continually along the great gut, vpon which the wombe is placed.

Women with great bellies are commonly ſubiect thereto, becauſe of the meats they eat,Women with child are ſubiect to looſeneſſe of the belly. which are of ill iuice: whereby the ſtomacke being weakned, and not able to concoct them, the expulſiue faculty is compel'd to thruſt them downward, halfe concocted, and indigeſted: otherwiſe they are corrupted, and turned into ſome maligne, ſharpe, and biting humours: as into fretting, choller rotten flegme, or melancholie, which doe corrode and ſtir vp the bowels, and ſo cauſe the fluxe of the belly.

The Cure.Concerning the cure of it, many conſiderations muſt be had. And firſt, it will be verie fit to know of what kind, the fluxe is, and what may be cauſe thereof. Now, all Fluxes of the belly muſt needs be one of theſe three; either Diarrhaea, Lienteria, or Dyſenteria, which ſoeuer it be of theſe, if it proceed of a maligne, and putride humour, it muſt not be ſuddainly ſtopped by aſtringent medicines, leaſt it happen vnto the woman with child, as it did vnto Smyrnia, A wotrhy ſtorie. (as Hippocrat. ſaith) who hauing a fluxe of the belly, ſuddainly ſtopt; was deliuered in the the fourth moneth.

How to proceed therein.Now to know what kind of fluxe it may be, the ſtooles will ſhew and teſtifie. If it be not violent, it may be ſuffered to flow gently, and for a good while; not omitting in the meane time, the vſe of ſome Clyſters, that may aſſwage the paine, if there be any. But if it continue, & that it bee bred of ſome ſharpe and biting humours which knaw the guts, and prouoke the expulſiue facultie; (of which kind are fretting and biting choller, or ſalt flegme) and that the Mother ſeeme to grow weake and faint: then muſt it be remedied with as much ſpeed and care as may be: otherwiſe the woman hauing diuers pangs, and prouocations, is in danger to be deliuered. Wherefore the humour offending muſt be purged with Rubarb, compound ſirup of Cichorie, and the like, which haue been alreadie preſcribed in the former Chapters: as alſo the like humours hindred from breeding.Her Diet. And therefore ſhe muſt abſtaine from all vnholſome meats, eſpecially if the cauſe thereof proceed from thence. Beſides, the ſaid humors muſt be allaied and made more gentle, that they may not any more prouoke or ſtir vp the expulſſiue vertue: the which may be eaſily done by a good dyet, which ſhall breed as little choller, or other bad humours, as may be: vſing broths made with Purcelance, Sorrell, Bugloſſe, and the cold ſeeds, adding thereto a little Riſe, or French Barley. The vſe of new laid Egges is much commended, which muſt be poched in water: Her meat muſt be rather roſt, then boiled: All ſpices are to be eſchewed. Let her drinke be red Wine, or ſteeled water, wherein a piece of bread hath been ſoked.

This drinke is verie fit, and pleaſant.

Take of French Barly, dried in a pan, a handfull,A Drinke. Fennill-ſeed, Coriander-ſeed, and Licoriſe of each, two drams, boile them in a quart of water, adding thereto an ounce of Berberis, or two ounces of the iuice of Pomgranats. A little before meales let her eat a ſlice of Marmilade.

And ſeeing there often happens paine and gripings together with pangs and throwes, becauſe the guts are moued and prouoked: therefore they muſt be waſhed, and the paine mitigated with this Clyſter.

But if the woman bee further moleſted with gripings and that ſhe haue great, and often prouocations: then this Cliſter will be very fit for her.

Cliſters that are made onely with oyle of Violets and the broth of a ſheepes, or calues head bee ſingular good.

If the diſeaſe doe increaſe and the paines grow more violent, then we muſt proceed euen to ſtupifying or Narcoticke medicines, as Laudanum, or Pilulae de Cynogloſſa, which may be giuen either by the mouth or in a Cliſter wherein the Phyſitians counſell muſt be asked.

I haue ſeene giuen with good ſucceſſe one or two drams of new Triakle diſſolued in a cliſter.

It will be very fit to annoint the bottome of her belly, and about the osſacrum with this ointment.

They may likewiſe vſe Vnguentum Roſatum Meſues.

The paine ſtill continuing, with pangs & throws let there be made for her this Suffumigation.

Then (ſhe beeing well dryed) annoint all the bottome of her belly, and about os ſacrum, with this ointment.

OFtentimes it happens to women, that they cannot beare their burthen to the time prefixed by nature, which is the ninth moneth. This accident is called either a ſhift, or ſlipping away, or elſe Abortment, or (as our women call it) a miſchance: The ſhift is reckoned from the firſt day the ſeed is retained in the wombe, till ſuch time as it receiueth forme and ſhape, in which time, if it chance to iſſue and flow foorth, it is a Shift. The Abortment hapneth after the fortieth day, yea, euen to the end of the ninth moneth. For the Abortment is a violent expulſion, or excluſion of the child already formed and endued with life, before the appointed time. But the ſliding away, or ſhift, is a flowing or iſſuing of the ſeed, out of the wombe, which is not yet, either form'd, or endued with life.

Thoſe that haue been deliuered once before their time, for the moſt part they miſcarie with the reſt of their children, about the ſame time.

Cauſes of Abortment.This accident may happen vpon diuers occaſions, the which are either inward, or outward. The outward are, either an Ague, fluxe of bloud, or of the belly, vomiting, or any other ſickneſſe that may happen vnto a woman with child; as alſo leaping, daunſing, riding in a Coach, too much ſtretching of her ſelfe, and the lifting, or carrying of any heauie burthen: the immoderate vſe of Venus, Paſsions of the mind, as choller, ſadneſſe, longing after any thing; or the vſe of violent and ſtrong medicines.

The inward cauſes are gathered from one of theſe three: either from the Mother, or things belonging to her,Cauſes from the child. or from the child. Thoſe that are taken from the child, are, when he is either ſo weak and ſickly, that he cannot be kept in the wombe, being not able to draw ſufficient nouriſhment, and thereby doth decay and die: or elſe by being too big and large; ſo that the wombe is not capable to lodge and ſupport him: which maketh the veſſels of the wombe to bee relaxed and breake: then the entrance of the womb dilates it ſelfe, and the child commeth forth.

From the mother: when ſhee is eyther too ſmall,Cauſes from the mother. or low of ſtature, which cauſeth that the child cannot grow in ſo little roome neither moue himſelfe or breath (although he breath onely by the arteries of the mother) her breaſt beeing ſo ſtraight that it cannot be ſtretched or inlarged: or elſe becauſe ſhe is too fat, which maketh the caule to preſſe downe, and cruſh the Matrice, and cauſeth the ſeed to flow and iſſue forth before it be formed.Leannes cauſeth Abortment. A woman alſo that is too leane, and doth eate but little, ſeldome or neuer beares her child the full time. For if the mother be not well nouriſhed, much leſſe can the child. Too much eating ſtifles the child: as likewiſe the vſe of vnholeſome meates doth engender ill bloud in the mother: wherewith the childe beeing nouriſht, in the ende languiſheth, whence followeth death. Another cauſe may bee the ouermuch fulneſſe, and moiſtnes wherewith women abound,Fulneſſe is cauſe of Abortment. and chiefly in their womb, which oftentimes is ful, and ouerflowes with moſture, and filleth the veſſels of the wombe full of ſlime, whereby the inner orifice is inlarged, and dilated, vnable to ſupport, or keepe in the child. There may likewiſe bee ingendred ſome ſharpe, and biting humors; wherwith the Matrice beeing ſtirred, or prouoked, while it endeuours to expell them, may thruſt out the child alſo.

This accident may alſo happen to thoſe that in their child bearing are ſubiect to haue their naturall courſes,They which haue their naturall courſes do often miſcarry. as if they were not with child: which commeth to paſſe, when nature ſtriuing to put them forth, doth cauſe the child to be vntyed, and ſo he followeth the Purgings.

Things annexed to the mother which doe cauſe abortment.Concerning thoſe things which are annexed or belonging to the mother, I vnderſtand them to bee ſuch as may bee growne or contained within the womb, as ſome impoſtume, Scyrrhus, or excreſcēce of fleſh, mole or falſe conception, therin contained, as alſo great ſtore of water, the which I ſaw, not long ſince happen vnto an honeſt Gentlewoman, whoſe womb was ſo full of water in the eight moneth that the Orifice thereof was conſtrained to open it ſelfe, and let them foorth, the which was in ſuch quantity, that it is incredible to bee reported, and ſome ſixe daies after, ſhee was deliuered, the wombe not being cloſed againe.

As this accident is very dangerous, both for the mother and the child; ſo will it bee needfull to preuent, and remedy it with all ſpeed poſſible.

Signes of abortment.Firſt we may know, that a woman is in danger to abort, or miſcarry, when the milk in her breſts doth flow and run forth in great quantity, her breſts remaining limber and ſoft: and if ſhe be with child of two children, and one breſt grow empty, it is ſigne ſhe wil miſcary with one of them. For this ſheweth that the child doth loath & refuſe his nouriſhment: chiefly if the nipple haue gotten any ill colour, it is a ſigne that the Matrice is diſtempered according to Hyppocrates. Hippoc. lib. 5. Aphoriſ. 37.38

They that are troubled with a great looſeneſſe of the belly, bee often deliuered before their time.Looſenes of the belly cauſeth abortment.

Likewiſe great paine of the backe, and thighs, which coms round to the groin, and bottome of the belly, doth oftentimes preſage the like. As alſo when there floweth out of the conduit of nature, firſt certain waters, then bloudy and ſlimy matter, and laſt of all bloud.

To the end that it may be ſafely remedied,Cure of Abortment. there muſt reſpect be had to the cauſe: Now concerning the outward cauſes, as if the mother bee troubled with any ſicknes ſhe muſt be handled as it is requiſite and fit: ſhee muſt ſhunne all violent exerciſes, paſſions of the mind, and the too often vſe of Venus. If the abortment proceed, from the littleneſſe or lownes of the mother, before her being with child, let her vſe Bathes, fomentations, and oyntments that may looſen and inlarge her belly, and Matrice. And while ſhe goeth with child let her feede moderately, to nouriſh her ſelfe, and her child, & when the ninth month is come let her vſe ſupling and relaxing oyntments like thoſe formerly ſet downe.

If the cauſe be of too much fatnes, it wil be very fit and conuenient to purge her, and let her bloud, before ſhee bee with child; and to preſcribe her a ſtrict order of dyet thereby to make her leane, vſing meates that bee not too nouriſhing, or full of good iuice. Contrariwiſe ſhe that is too leane, muſt vſe good meates, and ſuch as breed good iuice, and that in good quantity. If too much eating and drinking, or the vſe of bad meates, that breed ill iuice, be the cauſe: then muſt ſhe abſteine from them.

And when it doth proceed from the fulneſſe and aboundance of humors, & water: as it happeneth in full bodied young women, or which before their being with child were ſubiect to ſome euacuations (as bleeding at the noſe, Hemorrodes, or abundance of ordinary purgations, and whites) then will it alſo be very needful to purge, and let them bloud and before their beeing with child, to make them vſe the dyet:When the diet is neceſſary and eſpecially thoſe, that haue the ligaments of the womb looſe and ſoft, and the veſſels full of thicke and ſlimy matter: to whome likewiſe may be adminiſtred cleanſing, & ſtrengthening iniections, drying perfumes, Baths with ſulphur, and emplaſters for their backes, which ſhall heereafter be ſet downe.

Bloudletting fit for them that abort.And when they ſhall be gone about foure moneths and a halfe, it will be very fit to purge them gently, & let them bloud, the which may be done more plentifully and boldly (not all at once, but at ſundry times) in thoſe who before their being with child were vſed to more copious and frequent euacuations. For experience doth ſhew, that by this meanes, thoſe which were wont to be deliuered before their time, haue not onely born their children to the ordinary time, but thereby alſo haue beene brought a bed more eaſily, and with leſſe pain and trouble.Store of nouriſhment choketh the child. So that the child ſhall neither be in daunger to bee ſtifled, by drawing more food then is needfull for his nouriſhment; nor of growing too big, by turning it into his owne ſuſtenance, which might bee a meanes through his exceeding greatneſſe to breake and teare the ligaments that ſupport him, or elſe, though he ſtay his ful time, (being thus big) that he ſhould not be able to come eaſily into the world.

To helpe the abortment,Of the abor • ment that commeth frō the child. whereof the child is cauſe, being naturally either weake or ſickly, it will be very neceſſary, that the mother put to her helping hand, as much as ſhe can poſsibly. Wherefore ſhe muſt be merry; quiet, as well in body as in mind, not fretting or vexing her ſelfe: and eſpecially about the time ſhe was wont to bee deliuered, ſhee muſt keepe her bed, vſing meates of eaſie digeſtion and diſtribution, and drinke good claret wine: let her take euery two houres, a good ſpace from her meate, ſome of this opiate.

If ſhee like not this Opiate, let her vſe theſe Lozenges.

Let her belly bee annointed with this ointment as well to comfort the Matrice, as alſo to giue ſtrength vnto the child.

Let there bee laide vpon her backe, and os ſacrum, ſome ſuch emplaſter. Some women haue found good by applying vpon their Nauell a toſt dipt in good red wine, ſtrowing vpon it the powder of Roſes; Grana tinctorum; Coral; and a little Cinamon.

The emplaſter muſt be often taken off, for feare of the itching, and put on againe; and if there happen any heate to the part, annoint it with Meſues ointment of Roſes.

Remedies if the child be to big.If you perceiue that the child be too great, and big; to the end that he receiue not ſo much nouriſhment, whereby he may grow bigger, and larger; the mother muſt abſteine from all meates that are ſo iuicy and nouriſhing, and keepe herſelfe quiet hauing her belly ſtayed vp with a fit roler, that it hang not downe, and leaſt the ligaments which hold the child might ſtretch, and ſo by the waight be torne, and broken a ſunder.

Cauſes of Abortment annexed to the Mother.The like may bee obſerued and practized in the cauſes annexed & ioined to the mother, as if there bee any Scyrrhus, Mole, Dropſie, Warts, Impoſtums, excreſcence of fleſh, or other indiſpoſition of the wombe. The which muſt bee cured before the woman bee with childe, according as the diſeaſe doth require, it beeing very hard for a Woman to proue with child, when ſhe is troubled with any of the aforeſaid accidents.

And in regard of outward cauſes,Outward cauſe. wherin we did comprehend the Ague, Laske, Fluxe of bloud, vomiting and the like. Theſe accidents muſt bee preuented, according as the caſe doth require taking the aduice of the learned Phiſitian, as we haue ſaid before. But concerning medicines, which muſt bee more particularly applied to outward cauſes, as falls, blowes, and violent exerciſes, let them haue recourſe to the medicines deſcribed, for the childe that is weake, and ſickly, to which theſe following may be added as beeing profitable for both cauſes. As if there appeare any bloud, or red waters that begin to flow and come forth, by then naturall paſſage, this medicine is excellent.

She may likewiſe take in the morning, a Lozenge of Diarhodon of the waight of a French Crowne. This powder alſo is very commendable.

Of this powder alſo may bee made Lozenges.

Let there bee applied to her backe the former Emplaſter, or this that followeth.

If the emplaſter breed any inconuenience, let them vſe this ointment.

Hauing (with as much breuity, as poſſibly I could) treated of the Accidents which happen to women with child: and hauing likewiſe brought them euen to the time that nature hath appointed for their deliuery: it now remaineth, that wee handle the meanes, to helpe and eaſe them in this act and trauaile: the which ſhall be done, after wee haue ſpoken ſomwhat, concerning the beginning and office of Midwiues, as beeing the firſt that are called in this buſineſſe.

DAily experience doth ſhew vs, that many women are deliuered without the helpe of the Mid-wife, Notwithſtanding Antiquity telleth vs, that there haue beene Mid-wiues euen from the beginning: yea, that diuers of that ſexe haue practiſed Phyſicke.

Hippocrates ſweareth by Apollo and Aeſculapius and by Hygea, and Panacaea, as Gods, Hippocrat. Diuers wom Phyſitions. and Goddeſſes of Phiſicke.

Ouid doth make mention of Ocyroe, Ouid. daughter to Chyron the great Phyſition, who out of her curioſity did practiſe Phyſicke.

MAny things are requiſite, and needefull in a Midwife, but they are all referred to her perſon,The quality of a Midwife for her perſon to her Manners, and to her mind: Firſt, concerning her perſon: ſhe muſt bee of an indifferent age, neither too yong, nor too olde: well compoſed of body: not being ſubiect to any diſeaſes, nor miſhapen, or deformed in any part therof, neat in her apparell, and perſon: eſpecially hauing little hands & not thicke: cleane, and her nailes pared very neere, and euen; neither muſt ſhee weare rings vppon her fingers, nor bracelets vpon her armes, when ſhee is about her buſineſſe. She muſt bee pleaſant, merry, of good diſcourſe, ſtrong, painfull, and accuſtomed to labour, that ſhee may bee able (if neede bee) to watch two or three nights by the woman.Her manners. And. Act. • . Sc. • . Saue pol •• lla tonul • n • aeſt mul • er, & teme •• ria necſatis digna cu • c • m 〈◊〉 p • mi ſarin wherem

Concerning her behauiour, ſhe muſt bee mild, gentle, courteous, patient, ſober, chaſt, not quarrelſome; nor chollericke, neither proud or couetous, nor a blabber, or reporter of any thing ſhe ſhall either heare or ſee in ſecret, in the houſe or perſon of her ſhe hath deliuered. For as Terence ſaith,Drunkenneſſ • reproued It is not fit to commit her into the hands of a drunken, or raſh woman, that is in trauaile of her firſt child.

As for her mind, ſhe muſt bee wiſe, diſcreet,Her mind and witty, able to make vſe ſometime of faire and flattering ſpeeches: as Plato reporteth Midwiues were wont to doe in times paſt: which was done to no other end but onely to buſie and beguile the poore apprehenſiue women. And it is a commendable deceipt, allowed alſo in a Chirurgion when it is done for the patients good. For as the ſame Terence ſaith. Deceipt doth ſerue oftentimes for a good medicine in extreame diſeaſes.

Now aboue all things the ſaid Midwife ought to know that nature, the handmaid of this great God, hath giuen to euery thing a beginning, increaſe, ſtate, perfection, & declining, which he doth manifeſtly,The chie • fice of a 〈◊〉 wife. and chiefely ſhew (ſaith Galen) in the birth of a child, when the mother brings him into the world. For Nature ſurpaſſeth all▪ and in that ſhe doth, is wiſer then either Art, or the Midwife, whoſoeuer ſhee bee, yea, then the beſt or moſt cunning workeman that may bee found, Lib. 7. de 〈◊〉 partium. as Galen witneſſeth. For it is ſhe, that hath ſet downe the day of the childs conformation, and the houre of his birth. And certainly it is a thing worthy of conſideration, to ſee how in a little ſpace,Admira 〈…〉 thing. yea euen in the twinckling of an eye, the necke of the wombe, which all the time of the nine moneths was ſo perfectly and exactly cloſed and ſhut, that the point of a needle could not enter therin: how (I ſay) in an inſtant it is dilated and inlarged, to giue paſſage, and way for the child; the which cannot bee comprehended (as the ſame Galen ſaith) but only wondred at, and admired. The ſame Author in his fifteenth booke de vſu partium, deſirous to ſhew the prouidence of Nature ſaith, that the faults of Nature are very rare, and that ſhe worketh alwaies, and in ſuch order, and meaſure, that of a thouſand births, there is ſcarce one found that is amiſſe.

Wherefore neither the Midwife nor any of the Womans kinsfolkes, or aſsiſtants, ought to doe any thing raſhly, but ſuffer nature to worke; helping her notwithſtanding in that which ſhall bee needfull, as heereafter ſhall be declared: deuiding the worke of their deliuery into three ſeueral times and ſeaſons.

THe time of deliuery being at hand, the woman is to prepare her ſelfe in this manner. She muſt preſently ſend for the Midwife, and her keeper, it being better to haue them about her too ſoon, then too late; for there be ſome women that are deliuered ſodainely without the helpe of any one, although they haue beene long in their firſt labour.

The beddeIn the meane time, ſhe muſt haue a little bedde prouided her, like a pallet, which muſt bee of a reaſonable bignes, ſtrong and firme, and alſo of an indifferent height (as well for her owne commodity, as the Midwiues, and others that ſhal be preſent about her, to helpe her, in her labour) and it muſt be ſo ſet & placed, that they may conueniently come and go round about her, it muſt be placed far from any doore, and ſomwhat neere the fire. Let it alſo be conueniently furniſhed with beds & good ſtore of linnen that they may be often changed, as neede ſhall require. And likewiſe there muſt bee laid croſſe the beds feete, a peece of wood, for the woman to reſt her feete vpon, that ſo ſhe may haue the more ſtrength when ſhe bendeth her legs, as we will ſhew heereafter.

As ſoone as ſhe feeles her ſelfe ſtirred and prouoked with throwes and paines,Women in trauaile mu •• walke. which are vſuall in this caſe, it were good for her to walke vp and down the chamber, and then lay her ſelfe down warm in her bed: and then again afterwards to riſe & walk, vp and downe the chamber, and then lay her down warme in her bed: and then againe afterwards to riſe vp and walke, expecting till the water bee gathered, and the Matrice be opened: for to keep her ſelfe ſo long in her bed, would bee very tedious and painfull. Yet it may chance,Reſt is oft profitable that being in bed ſhee may take ſome reſt and haue a little ſlumber, and ſo by this meanes the mother may gather more ſtrength, & the child be the better inabled to come at the time, which God hath appointed it, and alſo the waters will be the better prepared & gathered.

They may giue her, if the labour be long, a little broth, or the yelke of an egge with ſome butter, and bread, and alſo a little wine and water.

Diuers ſorts of bringing womē to bed.It is very certaine, that all women are not deliuered after one faſhion: for ſome are deliuered in their bed; others ſitting in a chaire, ſome ſtanding being ſupported and held vp by the ſtanders by: or elſe leaning vpon the ſide of a bed, table or chaire; others kneeling being held vp by the armes. But the beſt and ſafeſt way,The beſt way to be deliuered. is; to be deliuered in their bed, (the which I aduiſe them to) the midwife, and aſſiſtants, as her kinsfolkes, friends, and keepers, obſeruing this that followes.

Firſt the woman muſt be laid flat vpon her back, hauing her head raiſed ſomwhat high,The placing of a woman in trauaile. with a pillow vnder her backe that it bow not: and vnder her buttocks and os ſacrum, let her haue another pretty big pillow, that thereby thoſe parts may bee ſomewhat lifted vp: for a woman that ſinketh down into the bed can neuer be well deliuered; and therefore the well placing of them is of great conſequence. Let her thighs and knees be ſtretcht forth and laide abroad one from another: and her legs bowed and drawn vpward, hauing her heels & the ſoles of her feet, leaning hard againſt the peece of wood, which is laid croſſe the bedde for this purpoſe.

About ſome they put a ſwath foure times doubled vnder their backe, and hinder parts, which comes round about them: this ſwath muſt be a foot broad, & better, and ſo long, that it may be held by two women, ſtanding on each ſide of the bed, there with to lift vp the woman in trauaile a litle, pulling it gently towards them, & chiefly when her throws come vpon her. For this raiſing or lifting vp doth much refreſh her, and makes her endure her throws with more eaſe.

Beſide the two women that hold the ſwath, there muſt be two more of her friends or kinſfolks,Another help for a woman in labour. to take her by the hands, thereby to clinſh or cruſh them when her throws come, and the other hand they muſt hold on the top of her ſhoulders, that ſhe riſe not vpward too much, and that ſhe may the better ſtraine her ſelfe, for oftentimes as ſhee thruſts her feete hard againſt the peece of wood, which is put croſſe the bed, ſhe raiſeth her ſelfe vpward. Sometime I haue bid one of the women that ſtand by to preſſe gently with the palme of her hand the vpper parts of the belly, ſtroking the child downward by little and little, the which preſſing did haſten the deliuery, and made them endure the throws better, and with more eaſe.

The woman in trauaile being thus placed, muſt take a good heart, and ſtraine her ſelfe as much as ſhe can, when her throws come vpon her, making them double and increaſe, by holding in her breath and ſtopping her mouth, and forming her ſelfe, as though ſhe would go to the ſtoole, which is much fitter for her to doe then to lye crying and lamenting.

Ariſtotle hath well obſerued, that thoſe women, De generat 〈…〉 Animal. which draw their breath vpward, are deliuered with much paine, becauſe they make the Midrife riſe vp, which in this buſineſſe, ſhould rather be depreſſed, and kept downe. It is very fit indeede, that ſhe take ſome eaſe and reſpite, not forcing her ſelfe much for euery little pang that happens, which ſhe may gather all into one, thereby to make them auaileable; when time ſhall ſerue.

Actites. If ſhe weare about her necke an Eagles ſtone, loadſtone, the skinne of an Vrus or wild Oxe or the like, which might keepe backe the child, let them be taken away, and tied to her thighs.

But aboue all things ſhe muſt be obedient to all that is commanded her, either by her kinsfolks, and friends, or by the Midwife. Likewiſe ſhe muſt be patient in her ſickneſſe, calling vppon God for helpe, ſince it concernes both her own life, and the childs, and ſhee muſt call to mind, that hee hath ſaid with his owne mouth, Genes. That the woman ſhould bring forth with labour and paine. For it would bee a rare thing to ſee a woman deliuered without any paine. Medea in Euripides ſaith, Euripides. That ſhee had rather dye twice in the warres, then to be once deliuered of a child.

Neuertheleſſe we read in hiſtories, of a certaine Country wherein women are deliuered without any paine. And Ariſtotle in his wonderfull Narrations reporteth,Women deliuered without paine. that the women of Ligustria doe bring forth without paine, and that they returne to their buſineſſe as ſoone as they are deliuered.

They that write the Hiſtory of America doe tell the like, of the women in that country, which is; That as ſoone as they be deliuered, (they are ſo kind to their husbands, which tooke the paines to beget the child) that they preſently riſe vp and lay their husbands in their roome;Men that lye in. who are vſed and attended, like women in childbed. And in this manner they be viſited of all their friends, and kinsfolk, who bring them gifts and preſents.

THe Woman that is ready to be deliuered being thus placed and laid in her bedde, muſt haue the Midwife neere vnto her: who ought firſt to aske of her woman, whether ſhee hath gone her full time, and bee ready to bee deliuered; and at what time ſhee conceiued; then muſt ſhee handle her belly, and marking it well, conſider diligently whether the vpper parts ſeeme as if they were empty, and fallen, and the nether parts very bigge and full: which ſheweth that the child is ſunke downe. Beſide, ſhee muſt aske her, whether ſhee haue any paines, and in what manner they bee,Signes o • • ing in tr 〈…〉 where they begin, and where they end: and whether they bee little or great, and frequent: whether they begin at the backe, running downe all along the belly, without ſtaying at the Nauell: and chiefly if they run along the groine, and end in the bottom of the belly inwardly (that is in the inner necke of the womb) then it is a ſigne that ſhe begins to fall in trauaile. And for the more aſſurance, let the Midwife thruſt vp her hand, being firſt annointed, either with freſh butter, hogs greaſe, or ſome other ointment, which heere after ſhall be ſet downe. And if ſhe perceiue that both the inner, and outward orifice of the wombe, be dilated and opened, it is a ſigne ſhe begins to be in trauail, eſpecially if there flow or come forth by the ſaid paſſage, any ſlime, or water: the which doe foreſhew, that the birth is at hand, as Hippocrat. ſaith, which if they be pale, it ſignifies for the moſt part, it will be a wench: and if it be reddiſh that it is a ſonne. Now this ſlime commeth by the dilatation of the inner orifice, and from the membrane, that doth wrap and infold the child, which begins to breake. And alſo by reaſon of the veſſels, and tyes which are looſened from the ſides of the wombe the which may be perceiued by the waters which will ſwell, ſhewing like a bubble, or rather like a bladder full of water. And when the water begins to be thus gathered, there is no doubt to be made, but that the woman is in trauail: Hippocrates doth obſerue three ſorts of humors, that flow in the time of their trauaile: the firſt, is ſlimy: the ſecond reddiſh: the third is the water wherein the child ſwimmeth, and heere endeth the firſt time, which the midwife muſt oberue.

AS ſoone as the child is borne, and that the Mother is deliuered of her after-birth, the Midwife ſhall cauſe her legs to be gently laid downe, taking away the peece of wood, that lay at her feet: and put a fine linnen cloth, or rather a cleane ſpunge, waſhed in warme water, and wrung out, betweene her thigh's, neare vnto her naturall parts, that the cold ayre may not get therein: and then muſt ſhe take the child, together with the after-burthen, and carrie them to the fire, as hath been ſaid already.

And if it happen, that the after-burthen be long ere it come, or be drawen foorth; and that the child may not ſtay ſo long there, for danger to be ſtifled, and die, it being oftentimes verie weake. The midwife ſhall firſt tye, and then cut the childs Nauel-ſtring, to ſeperat him from the after-burthen: Which muſt be done in this manner.

How the Nauell muſt be tyed.She muſt haue in readyneſſe, a good double thread, and a paire of ſharpe Sciſſors: with the thread ſhe muſt tye the Nauell a good inch from the childs belly with a double knot, or oftner: this knot muſt be neither too hard and ſtraite, neither too looſe: for too ſtraite tying, beſide the extreame paine it cauſeth, makes that which is tyed fall off too ſoone, and that, before the ſcar be growen betweene the liue and the dead part: And if it be tyed too looſe, thereof proceeds a fluxe of bloud from the vmbilicall veſſels, which are not exactly cloſed and ſtopp't by the ſaid ligature: and therefore, a meane muſt be obſerued in doing it. Then being thus tyed,Where the Nauell muſt be cut. the Nauel-ſtring muſt be cut off an inch beneath the knot; And that the knot may not ſlip, nor the thred ſlide away, ſhe muſt take a little fine linnen rowler dip't in oile of Roſes, wherewith ſhe muſt wrap the reſt of the Nauell, and with a little fine bumbaſt moiſtned in the ſame oyle, ſhe muſt lay it vpon the belly, that it be not cruſht, when they dreſſe and ſwath the child. By this ligature,The Nauell muſt fall of it ſelfe. that which is tyed will come to wither, and drie of it ſelfe, and ſome foure or fiue daies after, more, or leſſe, the dead part will fall from the quicke, which muſt not be forc'd or pluckt off in any caſe.

Some do obſerue, that the Nauell muſt be tyed longer, or ſhorter, according to the difference of the ſexe, allowing more meaſure to the males:The meaſure in tying the Nauell. becauſe this length doth make their tongue, and priuie membres the longer: whereby they may both ſpeake the plainer, and be more ſeruiceable to Ladies. And that by tying it ſhort, and almoſt cloſe to the belly in females, their tongue is leſſe free, and their naturall part more ſtraite: And to ſpeake the truth,A common ſaying of Women. the Goſſips commonly ſay merrily to the Midwife; if it be a boy, Make him good meaſure; but if it be a wench, Tye it ſhort.

Hippocrates would haue them, in tying the Nauell, obſerue this that followeth.Precept of Hippocrates. If a woman (ſaith he) be deliuered with paine, and the child ſtay long in the wombe, and comes not foorth eaſily, but with trouble: and chiefly if it be by the Chirurgians help, and inſtruments: ſuch children are not long liued, and therefore there Nauell-ſtring muſt not be cut, before they haue either ſneez'd, piſs'd, or cried.

Anone after the Midwife hath cut the Nauell, ſhe muſt wipe and make clean the child, not onely his face, but his whole bodie, and the wrinkles and folds of the arme-pits, buttocks, and ioints, either with freſh Butter, or oyle of ſweet Almonds. Some do it with oyle of Roſes, others with oyle of Nuts, thereby to make the skin more firme, and to ſtop the pores, that the outward ayre may not hurt him, and likewiſe to ſtrengthen all his parts.

Auicens Method. Auicen boyleth Roſes and Sage in wine, and waſheth the child with a fine ſoft Spung dipt therein: and ſo continues it three or foure mornings when he is ſhifted.

The child being thus ſhifted and annoynted, and then well dried, and wrap't vp by the Midwife, or others:What muſt be giuen the child after he is borne. they muſt preſently giue him a little wine and Suger in a ſpoone, or elſe the bigneſſe of a peaſe, of Mithridate, or Triacle, diſſolued in a little wine, if it be Winter, and in Summer (by reaſon of the heat) with a little Carduus Benedictus, or ſome other Cordiall water.

Auicen doth thinke it ſufficient to giue them a little Hony: and to rub the top and bottome of the tongue with ones finger dip't in hony. And by this meanes, to ſee whether they be tongue tyed, and ſo to cut the ſtring, if it be needfull.

WHen it is certainly knowne, that the child is dead, the woman muſt bee placed in the ſame manner, as it hath beene ſhew'n, where wee ſpake of the taking forth of the child, when there is a fluxe of bloud.

What muſt be done whē the childe coms ill.If he put forth an arme, ſhoulder, backe, belly, or other part of his body firſt, hee muſt be turned with all diligence, and drawne forth by the feete, as we will more particularly declare, in euery ſeuerall deliuery, according to the ſundry faſhions, wherein he may come, either aliue or dead.

If he come dead, with his head forwards,The woman muſt be ſpeedily helped. and that there is no hope at all of the womans deliuery without helpe, and that her ſtrength begins manifeſtly to decay: the ſureſt way is to apply the hand. And then the Chirurgion ſhall thruſt gently his left hand beeing wide opened, betweene the childs head, and the necke of the wombe: and with his right hand he muſt put between the ſaid head, and flat of the hand, an Iron Crochet, ſuch a one as you ſee heere figured vnto you.

Which muſt bee faſtned to the ſide of the childs head, as about his eare, or bone of the Temples, or in ſome other place if it may bee done conueniently, as within the hollow of the eye, or the hinder bone of his head, the Chirurgion keeping his left hand in the ſame place where he put it firſt, and therewith he ſhall wagge and ſtirre gently the childs head:Skill in drawing forth the child. and at that very inſtant, with his right hand wherin he holds the crochet, ſo faſtned, in any part of the head, muſt he draw and bring out the child: bidding the woman ſtriue and force her ſelfe, as though ſhe would be deliuered alone. And it is to be noted, that the Chirurgion muſt take his time, to draw him forth, when the woman falls into throws, for while the throws continue, the child ſlides forth the eaſier.

Oftentimes it chaunceth, that the Crochet cannot be put high enough at the firſt, to draw foorth the head all at once,Obſeruation in vſing the Crochet. ſo that after it is come forward and drawne out in part, they are faine to take away the Crochet, from the place where it was firſt faſtned, and put it in againe to take new hold higher in another place, which the Chirurgion may doe very fitly, as it hath beene ſhewed already. Likewiſe, if the Crochet be not well, and ſurely faſtned at firſt but that it ſlip, and loſe the firſt hold, then it will bee needfull, to faſten, and put it in a ſurer place.

The child may be ſurely drawne out by the ſhoulders.Hauing drawne forth the head, and the Crochet beeing taken out, the Chirurgion ſhall ſlide in his fingers, very cunningly vnder the childs armepits, that he may draw forth the ſhoulders, and the reſt of his body, for by this meanes hee ſhall bee eaſier drawne out then by the head: which muſt be done very leaſurely, without any violence, giuing the woman leaue to gather her ſtrength, and expecting till her throws come vpon her.

While the Chirurgion is about this worke, they muſt giue the poore Woman, a little wine, or elſe let her ſucke a toſt ſop't in wine, or Hippocras: perſwading and incouraging her, that ſhe ſhall quickly be deliuered.

This manner of drawing the dead child out of the mothers womb, is ſafer, and ſpeedier,Safe way to draw the child by the feete. then that which is vſed by turning and putting backe the childs head, to finde his feete, and ſo pull him out thereby. For whenſoeuer the childs heade is much entred within the os Pubis it is impoſſible to thruſt him vpward,Inconueniences to turne the child. and turne him without much indaungering the Mother: and cauſing great contuſion in the wombe, from whence proceeds diuers accidents, and ſometime death, as I haue ſeene it often happen.

I know ſome will alledge, that they haue taken foorth children aliue, which were thought to haue beene dead, in the Mothers wombe, with the ſaide Crochet: and that they haue preſently died, onely with the hurt they receiued by the Crochet, and certainely this is a cruell kind of practize. Whereto I anſwere, that we muſt diligently looke, and conſider, whether the child be aliue or dead, before wee put in the Crochet,Conſiderations in vſing the Crochet. and if there be any appearance of life, wee muſt deferre the taking of him foorth therewith, as long as we may: But being dead, I ſee no reaſon but wee ſhould take the child forth; with the ſaid Crochet for the cauſes heeretofore mentioned.Queſtiō whether the Crochet may bee vſed. But if the child be aliue, it is a great queſtion whether he ought to be puld forth by the Crochet, preſuppoſing that the Mother, hauing loſt her ſtrength, is ready to dye, except this meanes bee vſed: it beeing more expedient to looſe the Mother then the child, who would both dye, if that were deferred any longer: and whether to ſaue the Mother, (who is more deare, then the ſaide child) this practize may be ventured. But as I thinke, there are none, that goe about this buſineſſe, but with ſome touch of Conſcience, which being a point of Diuinity, I leaue to be decided by them, that are more conuerſant therein, then my ſelfe.

IF the dead child continue long in the mothers wombe,The dead child ſwels and is puft vp. he may eaſily be putrified, and not onely his head, breaſt and nether belly, ſwolne and fild with wind, and water, but likewiſe his legges and feet will be puft vp.

This ſwelling, and puffing vp, may alſo happen through all the childs body,The child that is aliue may likewiſe be ſwolne. though he be aliue, hauing eyther the Hydro cephale, or ſwelling of the head, or the dropſie, either of the lungs, or belly: or elſe beeing Leucophilegmaticall. This accident happening when the child is aliue, hee muſt be helped as being aliue, not deliuering the Woman to the childs loſſe. But if he be dead, and ye perceiue that his head, breſt, or nether belly is ſwoln, or fil'd with wind, or wateriſh matter, then the Chirurgion muſt put vp his hand carrying in the hollowneſſe of it a little crooked knife, very ſharp, made after this faſhion, & with the ſaide knife hee ſhall deuide, and cut the part wherein the wind and water ſhall bee incloſed, (whether it bee the head, breaſt, or belly) which beeing let foorth, the childe will grow leſſe, and afterwards, hee may the more eaſily be taken out.

It may ſo happen, that the childs arme comming formoſt through the long ſtay it makes without, as alſo becauſe it hath been pul'd by violence, will be ſwolne, yea, and euen gangren'd, that it cannot poſſibly be thruſt backe againe, that the child may be drawen foorth by the feet: If it fall out to be ſo, then the arme muſt be pul'd out, as far as it can, and if it may be done conueniently, let it be cut off at the ioint of the ſhoulder, or elſe as neere vnto it, as may be; the bone ſhall be cut off with ſharpe cutting pincers, or elſe ſawed off verie euen, the skin and muſcles being put aſide, that ſo the bone may be couer'd, with the ſaid fleſh, muſcle, and skin, which will fall ouer it; and alſo, that the bone, through his roughneſſe, and hardneſſe, may not hurt the ſides of the wombe, the ſtumpe that was cut, or ſawed being put backe againe.

Sometime the childs head will not follow the bodie, either becauſe of the bigneſſe thereof, or elſe, becauſe the child is ill turn'd, that in drawing him foorth, he chances to haue his belly, ſtomacke, and face lying vpward: which cauſeth, that the bodie being wholy come foorth, while they would alſo draw foorth the head, the chin takes hold of the Os pubis, and being pul'd violently, the bodie onely is drawen, and the head not moued, ſticketh faſt.

For the remedying whereof, that the head ſtay not behind: the bodie muſt be gently turn'd, placing the face downward: (as we ſaid before,) for by this ſituation, the head being moued vp and downe, will be eaſily drawen foorth with the reſt of the bodie; by holding the bodie with one hand, and putting a finger of the other hand into the childs mouth.

And when the head ſtickes, the Chirurgion muſt thruſt his left hand into the wombe, and put his fore finger into the childs mouth, to ſtay the head, which by reaſon of the roundneſſe of it, and moiſture of the wombe, roules and ſlideth vp and downe, not being eaſilie ſtaied; then with his right hand, let him put in the Crochet, which muſt be hook't or faſtned, either in the temples, hole of the eare, hollow of the eye, or elſe in the mouth; and then let him draw the head gently, both with the Crochet, and alſo with the left hand, hauing his fore-finger in the childs mouth, and ſo bring him foorth as cunningly as he can: taking his time alwaies when the Mother is in ſome paine, that ſo the child may be the eaſier drawen foorth.

THe child ſhould come into the world, with his head forward, and if there be any thing that comes with it, it is contrarie to nature. If the hand, and arme, offer themſelues, and come foorth of the wombe, this trauaile is contrarie to nature, and therefore dangerous: becauſe the arme takes vp the roome,The hand comming foorth, hinders the deliuerie. the head ſhould haue, & hinders it from comming right; according as it is turned, either to the right ſide, or to the left; or elſe vpward; the head leaning vpon the backe: or downward, being placed vpon the breaſt: (as we ſhew'd in the laſt Chapter, when the necke ſtands awrie,) which vnleſſe it be help'd in time, it will be verie hard for him to come ſafe into the world. For the hand, and arme, comming foorth, by reaſon of their tenderneſſe, and ſoftneſſe, being neuer ſo little cruſh'd, or held in the ayre: they are quickly alter'd, and ſpoil'd, and will be ſwolne, and puft vp exceedingly: yea, and ſometime fall into a Gangrene,The arme comming foorth, fals into a Gangrene. which I haue often ſeen come to paſſe: and therefore it will be verie neceſſarie to redreſſe it ſpeedily.

But eſpecially, the Chirurgion muſt take heed of pulling the ſaid hand, or arme; becauſe it is impoſſible,Inconuenience of drawing the child by the arme. he ſhould draw him out thereby: For how much the more the arme is thruſt, whether it be by the Mothers, or the childs ſtriuing, or elſe by the Chirurgion, who labours to pull it out: ſo much the more will it make the head and necke to bow, and bend; either toward the ſtomacke, backe, or ſides: it being impoſſible that the head and arme ſhould come foorth both together, becauſe the ſaid head is ſo infolded, and ingaged, in one of the ſaid places: and therefore this order muſt be obſerued heerein.

The practize.Firſt, the Mother muſt be laid vpon her backe, her head and necke lying ſomewhat low, and her hips ſomewhat raiſed: then the Chirurgion, hauing his hands oil'd (as before) ſhall annoint, all the womans parts with that hand, which is moſt fit, according to the diners ſituation of the child. If the hand onely come foorth, he ſhall take it, at the top of the wriſt, and ſo thruſt it backe, as high as he can, guiding it all along the ſides and flancks of the child: and hauing plac'd it there, he muſt pull backe his hand to giue place to the childs head, which at the ſame inſtant, with his other hand, muſt be brought and put, right againſt the necke of the wombe: And the better to ſet it aright, he muſt with both his hands being ſpred abroad, and placed on each ſide the head, thruſt the ſhouldert vpward, with the ends of his fingers, (as we ſhew'd in the former Chapter) that the childs head may be ſet in the mid'ſt: which will be eaſie for him to do, in taking the childs temples of his head, betweene both his hands, and by that meanes ſet it ſtraight. And when this is done,The woman muſt be hartned. let him ſuffer the woman to reſt her ſelfe a little, aſſuring her, that her child is well plac'd, and that by and by, he will come naturally into the world: The reſt ſhall be performed, as we haue ſhew'd in the naturall Deliuerie; placing the woman after the ſame order, as hath been ſaid. But if it chance, that the child be dead, and that the arme be gangren'd, and ſo ſwolne, that it cannot be put backe, then muſt it be help'd in the ſame manner as we haue ſhewed before, which ought to be done with all ſpeed: for feare of the putrifaction, that may happen vnto it.

MAny men are of opinion,Comparing of the two ſorts of deliueries. that the trauaile wherein the child puts formoſt both his hands, and armes, is not ſo dangerous, and difficult, as the former, when there is but one: Becauſe cauſe when both the armes come, thus ſtretched out, the head is found iuſt in the mid'ſt of the paſſage.

The deliuery where both armes come formoſt is not ſo dangerous.Notwithſtanding this may bee ſaid to bee leſſe dangerous for the child, becauſe howſoeuer hee ſtriue to come forth, and for all the throws that the Woman can haue, yet the child cannot wreath or turne his necke aſide. But yet to ſay the truth, it is more troubleſome, both for the Mother, and the Chirurgion, yea; and ſometimes for the childe alſo.

But the beſt way to proceed heerein is,The practiſe. that the Chirurgion, after he hath placed the woman (as is aforeſaid) hauing his hands annointed, as alſo the parts of the Woman, he ſhall gently put in his right hand, and bring one of the childs armes to his due place, by ſtretching it out at length, along by the flankes and thighs; and preſently with drawing that hand, he ſhall thruſt in his left, to bring the other arme into his place, as he did the former. This being done, he ſhall marke, whether the head of the child be placed right, in the meane time ſuffering the woman to take ſome eaſe, not holding her ſo much backe, as when hee placed the armes of the child. Then ſhall he place her, as in a naturall birth, but if hee find that the head of the child be turned aſide, and be not ſet direct againſt the paſſage, as it vſeth to be in a naturall birth, then ſhall he gently put in both his hands ioyned together, and preſently opening them, he ſhall touch onely with the ends of his fingers, both the ſhoulders of the child, and put him backe eaſily toward the bottom of the Matrice: and beeing ſo put backe, the head of the child will come betweene his hands, which he ſhal eaſily place aright againſt the paſſage (as is aforeſaid) by taking both ſides of his head, or temples betweene his hands, and ſo the deliuery ſhall be performed naturally.

BEſide the former deliuerie, which is, when the child comes double, putting his hands and feet formoſt: there likewiſe happen diuers other births that are no leſſe difficult, and dangerous: For when he comes ſide-long, with his Sides, Backe, or Shoulders next the paſſage, his feet muſt needs be on the one ſide of the Matrice, and his head on the other, lying quite croſſe; ſo that the child, beating on both ſides, with his head and feet againſt the wombe, doth extend, and ſtretch it to no purpoſe, wherby the Mother growes weake and faint: which neither ſhe, nor the child can long indure without danger of death; becauſe his ſtriuing helps not at all for his comming foorth.

A dangerous ſituation.The like may happen, when the child puts out his thighs, and buttocks formoſt: which kind of birth is verie painefull and difficult, becauſe the child fils all the Matrice: Which the Chirurgion perceiuing, he ſhall conſider, whether it be better, to turne the child, and bring formoſt his head, or elſe his feet: if he can eaſily bring the childs head vnto the paſſage, he ſhall proceed in this ſort.

Firſt, he ſhall put in his right hand (being annointed as before) to turne the child, and hauing found the ſhoulder, with the palme of his ſaid hand, he ſhall lift the child vpward, that his feet or knees may be toward the bottome of the Matrice, whil'ſt the head fals and ſlides downward: and ſhall hold it faſt at the orifice of the wombe, with his left hand, being put in at the ſame inſtant; and by this meanes ſhall bring the Armes cloſe to the thighs, and ſides of the child that the Woman may be naturally deliuered. But if the Chirurgion finde any difficulty, to lift the body vpward, for the bringing of the head downward: then ſhall he ſlide his right hand vnder the childs armepit, and ſo draw him gently, yet not making the arme come foorth, to place the head right againſt the paſſage.

But if the Chirurgion find any hindrance in bringing the head downeward, and that hee thinkes he can more eaſily guide and bring the feete to the orifice of the wombe, then the beſt and ſureſt way is to draw him foorth in that ſort, by the feete: and certainly when the child comes with his buttocks formoſt, his head being vpward, then may you ſooner meete with his feete, and bring them eaſier to the orifice of the Matrice, to bee drawne foorth as wee haue ſhewed before. But when hee puts his ſhoulder or backe formoſt, then may you the more eaſily lift him vp to make his head ſlip downeward, or elſe take him by the Armepit, and ſo bring gently his head to the necke of the wombe, to deliuer him naturally.

THe moſt troubleſome, and painfull ſituation of a childe in his mothers wombe, is when he comes with his belly formoſt, putting out his nauell, his legges and armes being turned backwards. For when hee is placed in this manner, and ſtriues to come foorth, hee thruſts againſt the ſides of the Wombe with his hands and feet, and ſo boweth backward, and bends the backe bone that hee brings himſelfe as it were into a circle, whereby hee endur's and ſuffers much paine, and likewiſe is weakned exceeding much, vnleſſe hee be ſpeedily helpt: and beſides, by his compreſſion and ſtriuing, hee cauſeth the Mother to endure much paine, and anguiſh without any profite at all both which doth require to be ſpeedily redreſſed, which maybe performed in this ſort. Firſt the Chirurgiō

HEeretofore wee haue ſpoken of the care that muſt bee taken of a Woman, ſo ſoone as ſhee is brought a bed, and deliuered of her after-birth: Now wee will treate of the diet ſhee is to keepe, while ſhe lies in, and of the accidents, that may befall her in that time.

Firſt ſhee muſt bee kept reaſonable hot: for too much heat doth weaken, and diſſolue the ſtrength:Cold hurts the ſpermaticall parts. but aboue all, ſhe muſt be kept from the cold aire: becauſe it is an enemy to the ſpermaticall parts, and being very piercing it may get into the Matrice which is now empty, and there procure, great pains and torments, as alſo puffe it vp, and the whole bellie: and therefore the doores, and windows of her chamber in any wiſe are to be kept cloſe ſhut.

Dyet.Her dyet muſt be thus: Firſt ſhe muſt liue temperately, and not fill her ſelfe with too much meat: and that muſt bee of the ſame kind, that is preſcribed for them that are wounded; and indeed in ſome women, there happens a great Solutio continui, and not that onely which they call ſimple, but alſo that which hath a contuſion ioyned with it. For in that great ſtriuing, and paſſing of the child, many membranes are not onely bruiſed, and hurt: but alſo broken, and torne: as it hapneth in young women and in others that are farre in yeares, and neuer had any child before. Nay ſometimes in theſe, the paſſage of the Matrice, and that of Anus, are brought into one: yea, and ſome ſuffer great excoriations, and hurts, in thoſe parts; which beeing neglected, in ſome, haue come to putrifaction, and Gangrenes: And heere I muſt admoniſh women in childbed, not to regard the words of their nurſes,The nurſes muſt not bee alwayes harkned to. or keepers, which continually preach to them, to make much of themſelues, ſaying, that they had need to fil their bellies, which haue been ſo much emptyed, telling them how much bloud they haue loſt, and do daily looſe, and that at laſt they will grow ſo weake, that they will not be able to helpe themſelues.

But theſe are friuolous reaſons, for the greateſt part of the bloud, which a woman voideth then, and all her month, is but ſuperfluous bloud, and is good for nothing: which hath beene kept in the body a long time, euen the nine moneths, that ſhe hath gone with child: it beeing now neceſſary for her health to haue it voided out of her Matrice: that ſo her belly, which is ſwolne, and puft vp with the aboundance of bloud (like a ſponge that is full of water) may be quitted & diſcharged, and returne to the naturall proportion and bigneſſe. And therefore for their healths ſake,She muſt ſee ſparingly. they muſt not feede ſo plentifully, the firſt daies, as the vulgar thinke: that by this abſtinence may hinder the Ague which may happen vnto them, and likewiſe keepe downe the aboundance of bloud, which would flow to their breaſts, and be conuerted into milke and by reaſon of the ſtore there of grow clotty and curdle, and in the end apoſtumate.

Wherefore the fiue firſt daies, let her vſe Broths,Her meats. panades, new egges, and gelly; not glutting her ſelfe (as commonly they doe) either with fleſh or Almonds: In the morning let her take a ſupping or broth: and ſo likewiſe at dinner, with a couple of new laid egges, and ſome panade, and again at ſupper, let her haue the like, cloſing her ſtomacke with a little gelly: but yet, if ſhe mean to nurſe her child herſelfe, ſhee muſt feede more plentifully. Let her drinke barley water, wherein a little Cinamon,A drinke. and a few coriander ſeeds haue been boyled. The great Ladies of Italy doe vſe a water, made of Capons which is this.

Capon water for Ladyes. Take two Capons ready pul'd, and dreſſed: boyle them in an earthen pot, with a ſufficient quantity of faire water, till they bee halfe ſodden, then take them foorth, and cut them into ſmall peeces, to be vſed as followeth.

Take of Bugloſſe, Borage, and Balme, of each two good handfuls: whereof you muſt make a lay in a glaſſe, Limbicke, and vpon that, another of the ſaide Capons fleſh, and ſo vppon that a lay of leafe gold, with a dramme of the powder of pearle, then poure in ſome of the broth, on the top: which you ſhall do, vntill all be beſtowed in the ſame manner. This being done, you muſt diſtill it, in a double veſſel or Balneo Mariae, and draw a quart of water or thereabouts, which muſt be reitterated ſo often, till you thinke that you haue enough to ſerue the woman in child bed, for tenne or twelue daies: But this Curioſity, is for Princeſſes and great Ladies. The ſaide water muſt bee drawne ſixe weeks or two moneths before it bee vſed, and ſet in the ſunne in ſommer, and ouer an ouen in winter, to take away the rawneſſe that remaines in it.

If the woman haue not an ague, in my opinion, ſhe may drinke a little white or claret wine, with twice as much boyled water. But there bee ſome women that cannot endrue wine, and therefore let them drink water and hony boiled together, or elſe boiled water:Another drinke. if they deſire to drink in the day time between their meals, or elſe in the night, giue them a little ſyrop of Maiden haire, with boiled water, or any other ſyrop, ſo it be not aſtringent, becauſe of their purgings. When her paines; the feare of the ague, and the burning of her breaſts bee paſt, then may ſhe feed more liberally, and then ſhe may eat at dinner a little meat, with her broth: as Capon, Pullet, Pigeon, or a bit of Veale: and at ſupper beſide her broth, a ſliſe of Veale, Mutton, Chicken or any other good meate.

The eight day beeing paſt, about which time commonly the wombe is well purged, and cleanſed, it will not bee amiſſe to nouriſh her better, giuing her more ſolide meat, and in greater quantity, that ſhe may grow ſtrong againe, the ſooner. All the which time ſhe muſt keepe her ſelfe very quiet, not much mouing, or ſtirring herſelfe, nor ſo much as once looking into the Aire. Let her ſpeake as little as may be, and haue no noiſe made about her,Noiſe is hurt • full. nor ſuffer her to be much viſited, but by her friends and kinſfolks, excluding all ſuch tatling Goſſips, as may tell her any thing to trouble her or make her ſad. Let her ſleepe rather in the night,Sleepe. then in the day time: yet, if ſhe haue not reſted in the night by reaſon of ſome paines, then let her ſleepe, when ſoeuer it comes vpon her. And becauſe moſt women in that caſe, are Coſtiue, and cannot void their excrements: therefore it will bee very fit to giue her ſome ſuch gentle Gliſter.

You may alſo adde thereto ſometimes an ounce of Diacatholicon. If ſhe diſlike Cliſters, let her take a little broth or decoction of Sene.

I am of opinion that the Athenian women, while they were in Child-bed, did take the broth of Cabbage,The vſe of Coleworts. or Coleworts, rather to be looſe bellied, then to driue away witchcraft, as Athenaeus would haue it: For heretofore the Cabbage was Catoes Phiſick, and all his houſhold. And therefore when the Romanes baniſht the Phiſitions, Cato ſaide, that the Cabbage alone, was Phiſicke enough to cure all their diſeaſes; and beſides hee made a little Commentary vpon that ſubiect.

Sadnes to bee auoided.Let her baniſh all griefe and heauineſſe, hauing regard only of her health, and to be merry, praiſing God for her deliuery.

NOW I haue ſet downe the manner of dyet, a Woman in Child bedde ſhould obſerue, it will not be amiſſe to ſhew, what is fit to bee done vnto her, before ſhe ſit vp, or riſe, endeauouring heerein, to bring all the parts of her body, which haue beene ſtrayned, and as it were quite changed, through a long, and painefull trauaile, to their former ſtate, that they may be recouered, and grow ſtrong with as much ſpeed as may be poſſibly.

If our French Ladyes, were (in this point) like vnto thoſe, which Veſputius Florentinus doth write of:Women t • are Virgins after child bearing. it would then be needles to preſcribe ſo many medicines, for the reſtoring them to the ſame ſtate they were in before their beeing with child. There are women (ſaith he) that dwell beyond the Antartique Pole, whoſe bodies are entire and Virgin like, euen after often child-bearing, and in whom there is perceiued no difference from them that are Virgins, as they that haue opened them, hauing made diligent ſearch, doe teſtifie: But ſince there bee no ſuch women found in our quarters, (though I dare boldly ſay, there be ſome, not much different) therfore will it be very neceſſary to haue a care what is to be done, to their belly, breaſts, and nether parts. Wherefore, after the ſheepes skin, or hares skin, hath ſtaid on foure or fiue houres, let it bee taken away, and the womans belly and groine, annointed with the liniment following. And then applying the Cearcloth of a iuſt bigneſſe, which muſt be continued the firſt ſeuen daies, dreſſing it euery morning, and turning the ſaide Cearecloth, ſomtimes on the one ſide, and ſometimes on the other, the liniment is this,

But before you lay on the Cearecloth, you ſhall apply to her nauell, an emplaſter of Galbanum, of the bigneſſe of two or three fingers, in the middeſt whereof you muſt put two or three grains of Ciuet, and it muſt bee ſo applied that the ſmell thereof ſtrike not vp to the Womans noſe: the Cearecloth is this.

Then muſt ſhe be ſwathed as wee haue ſhewed before.

This beeing done, you muſt haue a care to her breaſts; Some apply to their breaſts onely, round plaſters, made of ſome ſuch Cearecloth as this.

The ſaid round plaſters muſt haue a hole in the midſt for the Nipple to come through. Others vſe this liniment and Cearecloth.

Wherof you may make rounds, as I ſaid before.

Some Women take water parſly, or ſmallage, and boile it a pretty while with Vrine, and apply it to the breaſts.An ointm ••• to keepe 〈◊〉 milke from curdling. I haue often tried this ointment following, which hinders the milk from Curdling, and congealing, the breaſts being rub'd therewith.

Some put ſage between their breaſts, and vnder their Armepits.

Now concerning the nether parts:Fomentations for the parts. let them bee bathed gently, the firſt three or foure daies, with warm milke, wherin hath been boled a little Cheruill, plantaine, and a few Roſe leaues.

The daies following, vntill the eight day, let her vſe this bath or fomentation.

After both theſe bathings, let there be applied, to the ſides of her naturall parts, this Ointment, with a verie fine linnen cloth:

An Ointment. ℞. Ol. Hyper. ℥ ij. Spermat. Caeti ℥ j ſs. Cerae alb. parum, liquefiant ſimul, & fiat ad formam linimenti, ad vſum.

When the firſt eight daies are paſt, ſhe ſhall weare vpon her belly the Ceare-cloth following, her belly being firſt rub'd with this Ointment.

The fifteene daies being paſt, ſhe ſhall weare eight daies more (by which time three weekes of her lying in will be finiſhed) this Ceare-cloth following, ouer all her belly, and groine.

A Ceare-cloth for the belly. ℞. Ol. Maſtich. Mirtil. Iaſmin. Cydon. an. ℥ j ſs. ol. Glandium ℥ ij. Spermat. Caeti ℥ j. Terebinth. Venet. ſepius lotae in aq. Plantag. ℥ ſs. Cerae ℥ vj. liquefiant omnia ſimul, addendo puluer. Mastich. Terrae ſigillatae, an. ℥ ſs. Irid. Florent. ℥ j. remouendo ab igne, imponatur tela ex canabe, quae contineat totum ventrem, deferat quindecim dies integros:

And when three weekes of her time are expired, ſhe hauing been, neither troubled with Ague, paines, or gripings, nor any other accident extraordinarie, and being likewiſe well clenſed from all her after-purgings, before ſhe go abroad, it will be verie good for her to bath, cleanſe, and waſh her ſelfe, being firſt gently purg'd, with ſome eaſie medicine, according to the Phyſitions direction.

ALthough neither the Midwife in the naturall birth vſe any violence, in bringing the child into the world: nor the Chirurgion either in turning, or drawing foorth the child, handle or touch the woman, but with all gentleneſſe, and tenderneſſe that may be; yet oftentimes do ſome contuſions, or other hurts happen, in the lower parts of the woman, yea, and excoriations, together with chaps and clifts, about the part called • inaeum: in reſpect that ſo great a morſell hath • s'd through ſo narrow a place: Beſides that, ſome women are verie ſtraight and cloſe, either being verie young, or verie old: or becauſe they haue vſed medicines, to make thoſe parts ſtraite and narrow; beſides that, in ſome women the child proues verie big.

For all theſe accidents, it is good to vſe at firſt, (as we haue ſaid before) Oile of St Iohns wort, and Oile of Roſes, beaten with whole Egges all together. If the ſides of thoſe parts be bruſed, you may vſe this Fomentation, which will reſolue it gently.

This Fomentation muſt be applied onely to the entrance, and orifice of the Matrice, leſt the ordinarie courſes be hindred: and the foreſaid medicine of Oile of St Iohns wort, ſhall be prepar'd without the whites of Egges, and applied vpon fine lint, or cotton, leauing the paſſage of the wombe open: both to giue way to the purgings, and ven • to ſuch vapors, as may proceed out of the Matrice

For the excoriations and chaps, you may vſe this Ointment.

Although theſe kind of vlcers are eaſilie healed, as being but ſmall, S • c morb. Mulier. Lib. 1. (as Hippocrates noteth) notwithſtanding, they muſt be carefully handled, being in a part of delicate and exquiſite ſence, and full of Nerues.

Of the medicine laſt deſcribed, you ſhall make ſmall plaſters, and applie them fitly, vpon the excoriations, and chaps: And becauſe, (as I haue noted) there often happens a rent, or breach about the Perinaeum, neare to the fundament, and that when the woman makes water, ſhe feeles there a great pricking, and paine; it is neceſſarie that her Nurſe, or keeper, applie to that part two or three little linnen clouts, ſpred with the aforeſaid Ointment, to keep the vrine from touching and galling there. But if the breach or clift be great, you ſhall applie there little boulſters of lint, dipt', and dreſs'd with this baulme.

After that you haue applied this Balm, you ſhall lay vpon it, the plaſter before deſcribed, of waxe, and oyle of ſweet Almonds.

Somtimes it happens that the whole Perinaeum is diuided and rifted, euen vnto the fundament and that both the paſſages are brought into one: which accident I haue ſeene and for want of help, the ſides of the wound being hardned with a ſcarre, both the paſſages haue continued as one. For remedy wherof, I being once called, and finding the Woman to bee with child, I gaue her counſell to ſtay till ſhee were brought a bed: and about ſixe weekes after, ſhe was deliuered, being ſent for to cure her, I proceeded in this manner.

Firſt, with a crooked raſor, very ſharpe, I cut away way the ſcarre, and skinne which was growne on both ſides, as the common practiſe is, for an hare lip which I haue ſhowne in my workes of Chirurgery: which worke I began from the naturall parts, and ſo went on to the fundament, not taking away much fleſh, but onely the skinne: which beeing taken off, and as it were flead away, I ſuffered the part to bleed well: both to ſhun an inflammation, and alſo to make the ſtitches with my needle, more conueniently. About the midſt of the clift, or diuiſion, I paſſed my needle through both ſides, thereof (hauing firſt laid them euen, as well aboue and below, as in the middle) and I tooke good hold of the fleſh on both ſides, there leauing my needle, about which I did turne and wind the thred on both ſides, as vſeth to be done in the cure of the hare lip: then at both ends of the clift I gaue a ſtitch, ſomewhat cloſe, ſuch as is commonly made in ſimple wounds, and vpon it I laid a little clout dipt in a balm, which I haue heere deſcribed, and vppon that a plaſter of Diacalcitheos.

This clift or breach was well healed within fifteene dayes: in which time I gaue her two Cliſters, beſide that which ſhe tooke firſt, to prepare her body. But afterwards this woman prouing with child againe, and beeing in trauaile there happened a freſh breach, neare to the old ſcarre, but not ſo long as the other: by reaſon of the helpe and care of the Midwife, whom I had inſtructed to annoint and rub the Perinaeum with this liniment.

WHen the Orifices of the veynes neare the fundament doe ſwell, and riſe, eyther more & leſſe, according to the quantity of the humors, which doe fill them, the Greekes call this diſeaſe, the Hemorrhoides. Of theſe there are two ſorts, the one inward and hidden with in the fundament: the other outward, and apparant The cauſe heere of is ſtore of humors, which commonly are groſſe, and melancholicke, ſometimes flegmaticke or Cholericke, which filling the ſaide veines, afterward flow downe to the ends of them: which humors not finding way to iſſue out, doe extend the veines, in ſuch ſort, that ſometimes they become as big as Pigeons, nay ſometimes Pullets egges.

Many woman as ſoone as they be deliuered,Why women are ſubiect to the Hemorr •• des. are troubled with them, by reaſon of the great paine which they haue ſuffered. There may bee two reaſons giuen heere of, the one the great ſtriuing and ſtraining to bring the child into the world, which maketh the bloud come into the ſaid veines, and dilateth them; the other, retention of their naturall courſes which being ſtayed, the bloud and humors which ſhould haue come foroth, chaunge their courſe, and being deriued into the veins of the fundament, procure the Hemorrhoides.

The differences of Hemorrhodes.The Hemorrhoides doe differ, according to the nature of the humor, of which they are bred, for if they proceed of a flegmaticke, and watriſh bloud, becauſe of their colour, and the likeneſſe that they haue to a bladder full of water, they are called Veſicales, or vuales: Veſicales or vuales. and theſe are white, ſoft, and not painefull, if they breede of a groſſe & thicke flegme then they are called Verrucales, Verrucales. and ficales: and theſe are hard, and painfull, eſpecially if there be any hot humor mixed with the matter of them, which may be known by their rednes. If they proceed of bloud and choller, together with ſome part of Melancholy, being vneuen, and rough, like a mulbery, then they be called Morales, theſe are very ſenſible, and painefull, Morales. and in colour neere to a deepe darke red.

Women are ſubiect to all theſe kinds of Hemorrhoides, but eſpecially after they be deliuered: But my purpoſe is not to write ſo generally of all theſe kinds, but onely of thoſe which are ſwolne, big, and painfull, which chiefely happen to women in child-bed, and bleed very little or not at all.

The cure conſiſts in three things, that is in dyet, in diuerting of the humor, which flowes to the part, & in euacuating that humor which is contained in it: which beeing done, the paine will bee eaſily appeaſed.

For the dyet,Dyet. it ſhall be ſuch as we haue already preſcribed for women in child-bed: the humor ſhal be diuerted by letting of bloud, firſt in the arme, & then in the foote, in the veine Saphena, and laſtly by applying of Cupping glaſſes, to the ſide of the thighs, and that for two purpoſes: the one to bring downe the purgings, which beeing ſtayd may bee thought to be ſome cauſe of the Hemorrhoides, the other to diminiſh the quantity of bloud, in the crurall veine, which beeing emptied, will draw to it ſome part of that bloud, which flows to, (and it may be, ſome of that which is contained in) the Hemorrhoide veynes. As for the third point, which is to euacuate that bloud, which is now ſetled in the hemorrhoide veynes, that may bee done, by medicines which haue power to reſolue and digeſt and alſo to aſſwage paine of which kind is this following, which I haue vſed with good ſucceſſe, and Vigo before me.

After that ſhe hath receiued the fume of this decoction or otherwiſe bathed the fundament herewith a pretty while, let this liniment bee applied.

The chiefe Medicine which is commonly applied, is this.

If the paine bee great, you may adde heereto a ſcruple of Opium. I haue made often proofe of this medicine,An experiment of the Authors. to take all the white of a few Leekes, and cut them ſmall; and then boyle them with milke till they come to the forme of a pulteſſe, and then lay it hot to the Hemorrhoides.

Rhaſis medicine. Iohn de Vigo, alloweth of the authority of Rhaſis, who counſelleth to take a white Vnion, and to fill it with butter, then to bake it in an ouen, or in the embers, and ſo beate it and apply it, like a plaſter, which I haue diuers times made triall of. This plaſter alſo is much commended-

An approued remedy.I haue had good experience alſo of this Medicine, Take twelue red ſnailes without their ſhels, of millepedes, or Wood-lice 20. or 30. infuſe, & parboyle them a little in Linceed oyle, and make a liniment hereof, and with it annoint the Hemorrhoides.

Another to be ma •• Take of the aforeſaid wood-lice, thirty, Cheruil a little handfull, boyle them in milke, or oyle of Violets, then beate them together, and make thereof a kind of plaſter, at the laſt, vſe this fomentation.

A fome 〈…〉 Boyle White mullen, Scrophularia, and Cheruil together: Take a pint of this decoction, halfe a pint of red wine, Common ſalt, and white frankinſence, of each halfe an ounce, boyle them altogether againe, till there bee but two third parts, or there abouts left, and ſo vſe this decoction to the Hemorrhoides, fomenting them with little ſoft ſpunges.

Whileſt theſe medicines are vſed the belly muſt be kept looſe, either with Caſsia, or Manna, The bel •• muſt be 〈◊〉 or elſe with Clyſters (if the pipe will enter in eaſily) that ſo the excrements may come foorth the more readily, and may not burthen, or moleſt the part with their hardneſſe, and waight.

It will be very conuenient alſo, to let her take of the powder of white mullen, in a little milke, or elſe in Lozenges, made with ſuger, becauſe of the conceit ſome haue, that this herbe ſo taken takes away the Hemorrhoides. Some prepare Pils of Bdellium, Galbanum, and the powder of white Mullen; and hereof giue the weight of a french Crowne. If the Hemorrhoides heale not for all theſe meanes, I would giue counſell to open them with a Lancette, thinking it better to lance, and open them, ſo to let out the bloud, then to apply leeches vnto them, becauſe they ſucke, and bring downe, as much bloud to the part as they empty, and draw foorth.

And becauſe theſe Hemorrhoides, haue oftentimes a great hardneſſe with them this plaſter or Pulteſſe may be fitly applied.

Another.

Take Bdellium melted, diſſolue it with gooſe greaſe, ducks greaſe, and oyle of Peach Cernels.

Oftentimes the Hemorrhoides, by reaſon of their hardneſſe, cleaue, and ſo come to vlcers, and chaps.

IT happens to Women newly deliuered, that their after purgins ſomtimes come downe too immoderately, other times, that they are ſuddenly ſtaide. Theſe two accidents are very troubleſome, • e Morb. muli. and breede many inconueniences. Comment. in. lib. j. Aphoriſm. Hippocrates writes, that both theſe bring many ſymptoms with them, whiche Galen alſo witneſſeth ſaying, If the purgings flow in too great aboundance, and aboue cuſtome, it brings women into diuers diſeaſes, as Cold, Diſtemper, Dropſy, and Convulſions: and if the ſame be ſtayed, and do not flow at all, then ſome inconuenience happens to the Matrice, as inflammation, Eryſipelas, ſcyrrhus and at laſt Cankers. So that we may eaſily ſee how fit and neceſſary it is, that theſe purgings or courſes ſhould come away moderately, and in an indifferent quantity. This the Chirurgion ſhould know by obſeruing the time, and the quantity, which is limited for them, ſet downe in diuers places by the ancient writers: And firſt,How long t • purgings ſhould flow Hip. de Natu • pueri. for the continuance of time, that theſe purgings ſhould flow; Hippocrates, doth proportion the time, in which a woman in child-bed ſhould be purged, according to the time wherein the child is ſhaped or formed: which is 30. daies for a man-child, and 42. at moſt for a woman child.

This time may bee alſo meaſured according to that ordinary time of purging, that is omitted in the nine moneths, ſhe goes with child, as the bloud ſhould bee purged in euery one of theſe nine moneths, as in euery one of them, the ſpace of three or foure daies (which put together amount to twenty ſeuen or thirty ſixe dayes) ſo in recompenſe heerof, when a woman is deliuered, ſhe muſt bee purged, 27. or 36. daies.

It is written in Leuiticus, Leuit. chap. 12 that when a woman hath brought foorth a man child, ſhee ſhall continue in the bloud of her purifying three and thirty dayes, but if ſhe beare a maid child, then ſhee ſhall continue in the bloud of her purifying 66. dayes.

Lib. de morbis Malier. As for the quantity and proportion of theſe purgings Hippocrates is of opinion, that the purgings which a woman ſhould haue euery moneth, ſhould bee a pint and a halfe, or thereabouts. And in his booke de natura Pueri, hee would haue a woman in childbed at the beginning ſhould purge about thirteene or fourteen ounces, or a pint, and ſo the whole ſpace of thirty daies for a man child, and forty two daies for a maiden-childe, euery day diminiſhing the quantity till it wholly leaue her.

Signes to know whether a woman in child-bed be in health or no.As for the quality of theſe purgings, if the bloud be red, as in a beaſt new killed, and doe preſently congeale, and thicken, then it is a ſigne that ſhee is in good health, and will continue ſo all the time of her lying in. But when theſe purgings come in little quantity, and of an ill colour, and do not congeale ſuddenly, it is a ſigne that the woman is not well, nor will not finde her ſelfe ſo all her month as the foreſaid Author well obſerueth.

But it is not to bee expected that all women ſhould haue their purgings in like quantity, for wee muſt reſpect the habitude of the body, the courſe of life, the temperament, & other particular things which in diuers women, Comment. in. 6. Epidemior. are diuers. Therefore Galen ſaith, that theſe purgings continue long in women that haue thinne and ſubtill bloud; De mor. Mulier. Hippocrates ſaith that women that are of full bodies, are purged more exactly, and againe hee writes, that women, that are more in yeares commonly haue more of this euacuation then they that are younger.

There may be two cauſes aſſigned of this abundant euacuation, the one, outward, as ſome fall, blow, or painefull trauaile, which a woman may ſuffer, either in bringing foorth her childe, or the after-birth: It may alſo ariſe from paſions of the mind, or from the vnſeaſonable vſe of bath's, or from ſome other ill gouernement in her child-bed.

The inward cauſes may bee two:Inward cauſes. either the ſtrength and vigor of the mother, which expelleth and putteth foorth ſo much bloud, as is troubleſome, and burdenſome vnto her; and in this kind there is no great danger, becauſe ſhe that is ſo ſtrong, to expell in this ſort, will be alſo able to retaine, ſo much as will be conuenient and neceſſarie for her. Or elſe contrariwiſe, this may proceed from the weakneſſe, and faintneſſe of the woman, who is not able to retaine, and keep, that bloud which nature hath prouided for her: and this hapneth chiefly when the orifices of the veines continue open, after the deliuerie, not being able, Hippocrat. morbis Mul • (as Hippocrates ſaith) to ſhut, and gather themſelues together.

The other cauſe is referred to the bloud, which offends either in quantitie, or qualitie, or both: In reſpect of the quantitie, thoſe women haue ſtore of theſe after-purgings, which are full of bloud; becauſe the Liuer breeds more bloud, then is neceſſarie: which afterward is voided by the Matrice.

The qualitie of the bloud, is cauſe heerof, when it is too ſharpe, piercing, thin, watrie, putride, or venimous, ſo that Nature deſires to be rid of it.

The Cure.As for the Cure, you muſt fit that according to the cauſe, and yet there be ſome generall remedies, which may ſerue for all immoderate euacuations; and of this kind,Dyet. is Diet, which muſt be cooling, and moderately drying. Let her feed vpon good meats not ſalt, nor ſpiced, nor of ſtrong taſt; rather roaſt, then boiled: and of boiled meats, let her chuſe, to eat of the heads, & feet. She may vſe french Barley, new laid Egges, and Gellies made with aſtringent herbes. If ſhe take any Broth's, let them be prepared with Borage, Bugloſſe, Le tuce, Purcelaine, Barley, and the cold ſeeds: Let her ſhun anger, melancholie, griefe, and other ſuch paſsions of the mind: Let her keep her ſelfe quiet, not much ſtirring, or troubling her bodie. Let her drinke Barley water, or water wherein Steel hath been quenched. You may giue her alſo (if ſhe haue not an Ague) a little Wine, allaied with the ſaid waters.

Diuers remedies.Let her make her abode in a temperate place, not too hote; Let her lie vpon a Mattreſſe, or ſtraw bed, and not vpon a feather-bed.

It will be good to bind her armes hard toward the ſhoulders, but not the thigh's, although Auicen preſcribe it. Cupping glaſſes applied vnder the paps, and vpon the region of the Liuer, will be verie ſit, as Hippocrates teacheth: and likewiſe vpon the arme-pits, and ſhoulders, as Auicen counſaileth. The moſt ſingular,An experiment ſeen by the Authour. and preſenteſt remedie is to let bloud in the arme, which I haue ſeen tried by the moſt learned Phyſitions of our age, with very good ſucceſſe: For there is no meanes, that makes better revulſion, and drawes the bloud ſooner from the place, to which it floweth, then opening of a veine. You ſhall applie vpon the raines, the Os ſacrum, and the parts thereabouts, a cloth dip'd in Vineger, and water, and likewiſe betweene the legs; but firſt vſe this Cataplaſme.

Vnguentum Comitiſſae of it ſelfe is verie good, as likewiſe this Ointment following which is approued.

You ſhall giue her to drinke, a dram of Trochiſques of Spodium, with Plantaine water, or a decoction made with Horſe-tayle, Roſes, Knotgraſse, and Balaustia. Hollerius giues this, as a ſinguler medicine.

Some in this caſe giue three or foure ounces of the iuice of Plantaine. Galen. Galen affirmeth, that he hath ſtaid the immoderate flowing of the monthly ſickneſſe, with the foreſaid iuice of Plantaine, when nothing elſe would do good.

Ludouicus Mercatus commends theſe two medicines aboue all other.

He likewiſe commendeth this medicine following, as being verie certaine, and approued, and of great vertue to ſtay the ſickneſſe.

Lib. Exper. Galen teacheth vs this medicine, which may be both iniected, and alſo taken inwardly.

This iniection following, may alſo be verie good.

You ſhall alſo make vſe of this peſſarie, if there be need.

With this you may annoint your Peſſarie made fit for the purpoſe, either of cotton, or linnen cloth.

AS a Woman newly deliuer'd is ſubiect to many accidents, by the ouermuch flowing of her naturall courſes: So is ſhe likewiſe ſubiect to more dangerous and deadly chances, Porrhetic. Sect. 2. What L • c ••• are. if they be ſuppreſſed and ſtaid. Galen ſaith, that theſe after-purgings, (which he calleth Lechia) are purgings of ill humors, which haue been gathered in the bodie all the time, that the woman went with child: For the child drawing to it ſelfe, the ſweeteſt and moſt familiar part of the bloud, leaues the worſt, which otherwiſe, if the woman were not with child, ſhould be voided out euery Moneth. And if the monthly ſickneſſe ſtai'd, doth bring manie inconueniences to a woman, then much more theſe Lochia being ſuppreſſed, muſt breed much more danger.

A ſentence of Hippocrat. Hippocrates in his firſt booke De morbis Mulier: witneſſeth this plainly, ſaying; That when the After-purgings come in leſſe quantitie, then is fit, then the woman in child-bed fals into a ſharpe Ague, ſhe is troubled with a paine in her ſtomacke, ſhe finds her ſelfe ill, through all her bodie; ſhe feeles a paine in the ioints of her hands, in her thigh's, and hips, the places about her necke, backe, and groine are ſore; and there is a weakneſſe in euery part: She fals into a vomiting of fleame, and alſo of bitter and ſharpe matter: and finally, ſhe is in danger to be lame and impotent of ſome of her members:The ſtopping of the After-purging cauſe death. For the Matrice hath an affinitie and connexion, with many parts of the bodie; as with the head, and ſtomacke. And if this matter be tranſported and carried to the head, breaſt, and lungs, and there make an abode, then the woman dyes preſently; but if it be voided by the mouth, or noſe, then ſhe may eſcape.

Outward cauſes.The cauſes of this ſuppreſſion are of two kinds, either inward, or outward: The outward cauſes are ſadnes, griefe, ſuddain apprehenſion of ſome ill newes, feare, frighting, and ſuch like paſsions of the mind: Likewiſe, cold which the woman hath taken, which ſhutteth vp the veines of the Matrice; a bad dyet, and amongſt other things, Lib. de A • r • l • cis, & Aqu • drinking of colde and raw water: which hath beene noted by Hippocrates to be very hurtfull vnto women with child.

Now concerning the inward cauſes, Lib. 1. de mor • Mulier. Inward cauſes. the ſame Author writes that the vlcers which happen by reaſen of a long and troubleſome deliuery, doe cauſe an inflammation, and ſwelling, which makes the ſide of the wombe come together, and ſhuts vp the orifices of the veines thereof: from whence proceedes ſuppreſſion of the after-Purgins. Likewiſe the ouer great quantity of thicke and groſſe bloud, may bee the cauſe, as alſo the weakeneſſe of the Matrice, the which becauſe it hath beene ſore wearied and troubled in the deliuery, and thereby loſt all ſtrength is not able to disburden and free it ſelfe, of the bloud whereof it is full.

Hippocrates alſo in the ſame place giues another cauſe, which is, Hippoc. loco citato. when the mouth of the ſaid womb is ſhrunke, or turned awry, or elſe, becauſe the ſides of it are ſunke downe, ſhut together and inflammed.

For the Cure heereof, ſhee muſt obſerue an order of dyet, which ſhall be moiſtning, and opening.Dyet. Her meate and drinke muſt be ſuch, as we haue formerly preſcribed, for one newly deliuered. Shee ſhall take operitiue Broths, thereby to open the orifices of the veines, which are much ſtopt: and according to the cauſe, ſo the remedies muſt be fitted as if it come by any ſudden apprehenſion, griefe, or anger, then muſt ſhe be plaſant, and make her ſelfe, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 as merry as ſhe can. If it proceed of any inflammation or heate, that hath thickned the bloud, then muſt ſhe vſe medicines, that ſhal moderately, cool, & moiſten, as Apozemes made with the leaues and rootes of Succory, Burnet, Endiue, Agrimony, Maydenhaire, Couchgraſſe, or Gramen, Hoppes, rootes of Perſely, and Aſparagus, Violet flowers, with the ſirups of Maydenhaire, and de quinq. radicibus. If it be needfull to attenuate, and cut or to euacuate any groſſe and clammy humors, which ſhut vp the orifices of the veines: it will not be amiſſe to vſe this fomentation, ſo that there be no great inflammation of the part.

Of the foreſaide ingredients, you may likewiſe prepare fumes, halfe baths, and alſo iniections for the Matrice.

If the ſaid after-purgings are ſuppreſſed becauſe the inner orifice of the matrice is cloſed, or turned aſide, then will it be very neceſſary for the Chirurgion,The meanes to ſet the wombe right. (after he hath conſidered that there is neither paine, nor diſtemperature) to ſet it right againe, by putting vp peſſaryes, which ſhal prouoke and bring downe the after purgings, as this following.

You ſhall firſt frame a peſſary, and then it ſhall be couered, with the ſaid cloth; or elſe dipped and couered with the ſaid medicine.

You may alſo make little round bags of a fingers length, in the forme of a peſſary, which you ſhall fill or ſtuffe with the herbe Mercury, firſt bruſed or beaten, and this may ſerue for a peſſary; this herb is very much commended. If it be needful to haue the peſſary ſtronger, you may put thereto a little Mugword, Sauine, and Balme.

It will be very profitable to bind the thighs hard and to rub the legges and thighs,Ligatures and frictions. eſpecially on the inſide, all along the crurall veyne: you may alſo apply great Cupping glaſſes, in the ſaide places. Let her legges, and thighs be waſhed, with that decoction which was ſet downe before for the fomentation. The ſame decoction alſo may ſerue for Clyſters, diſſoluing therein Hiera, or Benedict. Laxatiua and mel. mercuriale.

But we muſt preferre before all theſe medicines,Opening a veine in the foote, is the moſt ſoueraign remedy that which is the moſt ſoueraigne, which is letting of bloud, in the foote, out of the Saphena, or in the Poplitica; which is in the bending of the gartring place: For by this meanes we ſhall manifeſtly meet with the cauſe of the ſickneſſe: And heerein wee ſhall follow the example of Hippocrates, who cauſed the woman ſeruant of Stymargus to be let bloud be cauſe her ſickneſſe, or purgings were ſtayed after ſhe was deliuered, and by this meanes ſhe was well diſcharged of them, although before, ſhe had bene in great, and generall Convulſions.

De Morbis mulier. lib. 1. The ſame Author ſaith, that a woman, that hath theſe purgings ſtaide, muſt haue preſent helpe, for feare, leaſt there happen ſome great inflammation to the part, ſo that except ſhe be preſently let bloud, ſhe is in danger of death. Her belly alſo muſt be kept looſe by Cliſters, and if ſhe can vomit eaſily, ſhe muſt be helped that way alſo.

Epidem. 6. Galen ſaith that hee hath brought downe theſe purgings in women that was pale, leane, and weak, by letting her bloud in good quantity.

I haue not heere ſet downe any medicines to bee taken by the mouth, becauſe I haue written many of this kind, in the Chapters going before, wherein I haue treated of the meanes how to make the child or after-birth come foorth, when they bee ſtaide, which medicines haue power alſo to prouoke the courſes or after purgings.

IT may happen to ſome women, that after they haue been well deliuered of their children, there may ſtay with them one or more falſe conception. Some of theſe falſe conceptions ſticke faſt to the wombe, ſome are vnfaſtned, and looſe.Difference o • falſe conception. If they be ſmall, they come foorth together with the purgings; but if they be big, they oftentimes ſtay, and abide within. And in this caſe the Chirurgion muſt be carefull, for if they bee bigge, and cleaue to the wombe, they may bring much inconuenience to the woman, by their long ſtaying behind. So then it will be neceſſary for him to know, whether there be any of this kind, and of what nature it is, which he ſhal learne of the Mother, by demanding of her, how ſhe found her ſelfe all the time ſhee went with child. Firſt then let him enquire of her, whether ſhe were very big, at that time, and if ſhe had any hardneſſe, in any part of her belly, whether ſhee hath beene vſed to any ſuch accident, with her other children: for there are women, which at euery birth haue of theſe falſe conceptions, and amongſt others Miſtris Brague-longue, A ſtory. hath ſhewed the proofe hereof: For ſhe going with her ſecond child, could aſſure me, that then ſhe had a falſe conception, becauſe ſhe had one with her firſt child: which ſhee came to know by reaſon of a certaine hardneſſe, which ſhe had vpon her left ſide, neere to her ſhort ribs, where ſhe felt a great paine, yea, and her ribs ſeemed to be borne vp, or thruſt outward: And indeed, this Gentlewoman, after ſhe was deliuered, brought foorth one bigger then ones fiſt, and before ſhe could be rid of it, her belly was ſwoln with paine and murmurings about her Nauell, and toward her loins: ſhe was often troubled with throws:Signes. as if ſhe ſhould be deliuered againe, by reaſon the nature did ſtriue, to put and ſend that forth, which was vnnaturall.

Beſide theſe ſimptomes, women that haue falſe conceptions ſomwhat bigger, and cleauing faſt to the wombe, are troubled with great paine about the nauell, with vnquietnes, watring of the mouth, vomiting, and heauineſſe downeward. The pulſe is ſmall, and frequent, and ſome women in this caſe haue the ſtrangury, becauſe the falſe conception doth preſſe the necke of the bladder: and to conclude almoſt the ſame accidents are here, that happen, when there is a mole or dead child.

The prognoſticke.Thoſe falſe conceptions that are ſmall, though two, three, foure, or more in number (as there may be many) they come forth eaſily, & are conuaied away with the ordinary purgings, but if they be great and hard, they are voided with much difficulty, eſpecially if they ſtick to the womb, and then there is daunger that they will turne into a mole: which muſt ſpeedily be preuented: Hip. lib. de ſterilibus. although Hippocrates wiſheth that this ſhould be done with prediction. Now this may be preuented (as he ſaith) by theſe three meanes; firſt by the vſe of reſoluing bath's, which haue power to moiſten the whole body,Cure. and ſo to dilate and inlarge the paſſage of the Matrice, that it may come foorth: the ſecond is by Cliſters and purgations, which may purge foorth excrements, and alſo bring downe the naturall courſes afreſh. Thirdly, by iniections, which may prouoke and ſtirre vp the expulſiue faculty of the Matrice, to expell the purgings and with them the falſe conconception contained in the wombe. But becauſe all theſe remedies haue beene handled in the laſt chapter I refer the Chirurgion thither.

THe ancient writers haue obſerued, that the matrice moueth and changeth his place, diuerſly: and as Hippocrates ſaith, De Morbis mul. lib. 2. the Matrice cauſeth great paines in diuers places, according as it ſetleth, and placeth it ſelfe.

If it riſe toward the head, Hippocrat. lib. 2. de morb. mulier. de natura mulieb. et. 2. Epidem. then the veines which are in the noſe, and vnder the eies, ſuffer paine, the head is heauy, and ſometime the woman fometh at the mouth. If the ſaid Matrice moueth toward the liuer, preſently the woman is depriued of her ſpeech, her teeth are ſet, and her colour grows wan and pale. If it incline toward the ribs, then the woman falls into a cough with pain of her ſide: and the matrice hard and painfull to be touched, as if there were ſome vlcer, & ſhee is troubled alſo with ſhortnes of breath, and ſometimes, with Convulſions: and if ſhe continue thus long, ſhe will grow lame: Againe if the Matrice turne to one ſide, there will be a paine felt, right againſt the place, to which it inclines, together with a paine in the backe: and at laſt ſhee becomes lame of that ſide as Hippocrates, and Aetius do witneſſe: when it beareth down towards the groine, Hippocrat. Epidem 2 and paſſage of the Vrine, then the pain is more violent, together with a dulneſſe, & numneſſe of the thigh: and ſuppreſſion of vrine: as likewiſe if it be caſt backe, toward the great gut, then the excrements of the belly are ſtopped; If it fall downe lower, euen to the thighs, then there wil be a Convulſion or crampe, of the great toe; and the hips and thighs, will be pained. And therefore not vnfitly did Plato compare the matrice to a liuing creature, Plato. which was as it were ingrafted, vpon an other liuing creature. For the Matrice hath voluntary motion, toward euery part, and certainly Scimus vterum naturaliter, vt ſemen excipiat, hiare, et ipſo ſuſcepto conſtringi.

How the matrice moueth.But theſe ſituations, and changings of place muſt not be vnderſtood, in an exact ſence. For it is vnlikely, nay impoſſible, that the Matrice, ſhould ſo run from one ſide of the body to another, that it ſhould altogether leaue his owne place. And this hath Galen very well noted, Gal. in lib. 3. de Articul. com. ſaying, that ſometimes the matrice aſcendeth vpward, and ſometimes it is turned aſide: not that of it ſelfe it leaues his naturall place but becauſe it is drawne by ſome thing elſe: that is, by the ligaments which hold it vp,How the matrice chaungeth place. and by the nerues, arteries, and veines to which it is annexed. To this authority of Galen I will adde farther, that the Matrice may be ſhut vp, and gathered into it ſelfe, and ſo draw with it thoſe parts, to which it is faſtned, offending & affecting them, by ſome ſpirits, vapors, or wind, which it may communicate vnto thē.

But I will leaue this curious ſpeculation to Phyſitions, and will onely meddle with that, which belongs to Chirurgions, concerning the precipitation, or falling downe of the Matrice, of which there are three kinds.

The firſt,The firſt falling of the matrice. when the necke thereof (which is called Vagina) ſincketh and falleth downe, euen to the entrance of the naturall parts, and drawes, a little with it, the bodie of the Matrice: Hipp. Lib. de natura Pueri. And this we may eaſily learne of Hippocrates, who ſaith, that the Matrice commeth downe in ſuch ſort, that you may applie a liniment thereunto: And againe, that it commeth nearer to the entrance, than is needfull. Hipp. Lib. de natura Muliebri. The ſecond kind.

The ſecond kind is, when the bodie of the Matrice falleth into the outward necke, called Vagina, and is thruſt a little out of the entrance, of the naturall parts, and then the inward necke, which is ſunke downe, ſhewes it ſelfe to the light, in the forme of the top of a mans yard: Hipp. Lib. de Sterilibus de morb. Mulier. Which Hippocrates alſo affirmes, when he ſaith, that the wombe commeth by little and little, out of the naturall parts.

The third kind is,The third kind. when the bodie and necke of the Matrice is all ſunke downe, and turned the wrong ſide outward: as one ſhould turne the crowne of his hat: and then it commeth cleane out of the naturall parts, and hangs betweene the thigh's, in the bigneſſe of a mans fiſt, or more, not vnlike to the cod or purſes of a mans priuie parts, Gal. lib. 14. de vſ • partium as Galen writes.

The generall cauſe hereof is, becauſe the ligaments, which ſhould hold and faſten it, are reſolued and broken, which may proceed either of an inward, or an outward cauſe.

Outward cauſes.The outward cauſe may be, ſome fall, or blow, or for that the woman hath lifted ſome heauy burthen; or hath been in ſome rage, or choller; or had a violent Cough: running alſo, dauncing, leaping, riding in a Coach; taking cold of her feete, ſitting vpon a cold ſtone, and ouermuch cooling of the Matrice, may be cauſes thereof.

Inward cauſes.The inward cauſes are, abundance of moiſture, which hath relaxed the ligaments: or elſe a longing deſire which a woman may haue, for the companie of a man; which may alſo happen to maides, and barren women; Hippocrat. Epidem 2. as Hippocrates writeth: Another cauſe may be, the long ſuppreſſion of the naturall courſes, which ſometimes makes a woman grow Viril, Hippocrat. Epidem 6. or mankind, as Hippocrates witneſſes of Phaëtuſa, wife of Pitheus, who became like a man, with a beard, and a mans voice.

Hipp. de Natura Mulier. 2.The ſaid Hippocrates giueth another reaſon, contrarie to the former, which is becauſe ſhe hath had the companie of her husband too ſoone after her deliuerie, while her ſickneſſe is yet vpon her.

But commonly this falling downe of the Matrice doth come (as Hippocrates noteth) by being ill deliuered: Hippocrat. de Eiectione Foe • us. To which alſo Galen ſubſcribeth, making a ſimilitude of it, to two that wraſtle together, one of which falling to the ground, Gal. de facult. Natur. lib. 3. drawes his fellow with him, and makes him fall alſo; euen ſo, the Matrice ſtriuing to put foorth the child, doth thruſt foorth it ſelfe alſo; eſpecially if the ligaments,A Compariſon. which ſhould hold it to the backe, bee naturally looſe, and weake. It may alſo happen, that while the Midwife drawes foorth the child, or the after-birth, the Matrice may follow it together.

In this caſe, although Hippocrates in his booke before cited, ſeem to be of opinion,Both old and young may be cured hereof. that there is no remedie, but for young women, leauing elder women without helpe. Yet I haue cured them, euen of all ages, with verie good ſucceſſe.

For the Cure therefore,The Cure. we haue three intentions: The firſt, to bring the Matrice into his owne place: the ſecond, to keep it there: the third, to ſtrengthen it, being there keept. For the firſt, let the Chirurgion place the woman in this ſort: Let her lye vpon her backe, with her legs higher then her head, and her feet drawne vp in ſuch ſort, that her heeles may almoſt touch her hinder parts, with her thigh's and knees ſpread abroad.

If the Matrice be fallen downe,The way to put it vp. but a little it may eaſily be put vp, nay, it will euen go vp of it ſelfe: But if it be much fallen downe before it be put vp, it muſt be ſuppled and ſoftned, that ſo it may returne more eaſie, and with leſſe paine: Let it be annointed therefore, with the cooling ointment of Galen, or elſe with ſome ſuch liniment as this.

For a ſhift, you may take freſh butter, and oyle of Roſes mingled together: and then vſe this fomentation warme.

After that you haue vſed this fomentation, put vp the Matrice gently, with a ſoft linnen cloth, and when it is put vp, let the woman draw vp her breth as we vſe to bid them, that haue a Hernia, or burſting, to be put vp, and by this meanes the Matrice will be brought to his place, the more eaſily. Beſide you muſt remember, that if there bee any tenſion, hardnes or inflammation in the Matrice, to ſoften and ſouple it, with the aforeſaid liniment, and fomentation, and ſo will the inflammation be aſſwaged.A good obſeruation. And if you find that the bladder or great gut bee full of excrements (as I haue ſeene, not long ſince in a poore Woman of Maſſon, by meanes whereof the Matrice was ſhut, and kept out) then firſt you muſt make way for the Vrine by a Catheter, and alſo voide out the excrements by Clitters.

The ſecond meanes to help vp the matriceFor the ſecond intention, which is to keepe the Matrice in his place, when it is well put vp and placed, the beſt and ſureſt meanes is to thruſt vp a peſſary, ſuch a one as is here deſcribed, which hath this power to keepe the Matrice vp, and yet not put it to any paine.

Beſide, it will not hinder the Matrice from purging out ſuch euacuations, as a woman newly deliuer'd hath, or any other humour, which may be contained in the wombe: For this Peſſarie hath a hole in the midſt of it, to giue ſuch excrements free paſſage and iſſue.

The Peſſarie being put vp, let it abide there two or three daies, when you take it out, put vp a freſh one, keeping that to ſerue another time. There muſt alſo be a little ſtring tyed to it, ſo to be faſtned to a girdle, or ſome other thing, leaſt it fall downe to the ground: The figure heere ſet downe doth ſhew the manner of it.

When aſtringent medicines are to be ſhun'd.If the woman be newly deliuer'd, and in her ſickneſſe; you muſt not vſe any aſtringent medicine, for feare leaſt you ſtay that; but it is ſufficient to keep the peſſarie there.

When the time of purging is paſt, then muſt there a care be had of the whole habit, and conſtitution of the bodie. Hipp. de natura Muliebri. Hippocrates wiſheth that ſhe eate little, and drinke leſſe, the firſt ſeuen daies; after which, ſhe may take ſome ſuſtenance; and when ſhe would disburthen nature, let her ſit vp in her bed, but not riſe from thence in fortie daies. After that time accompliſhed, ſhee may walke gently; but in no wiſe bath her ſelfe. If ſhe be full of bad humours, let her be purged, if ſhe hath not had her courſes, or purgings ſufficiently, and if ſhe be full of bloud, it will be conuenient to open a veine. And becauſe the ligaments, which tie, and hold the Matrice, are oftentimes much moiſtned, and relaxed with ſlime, and fleame, which fals vpon them; it will be neceſſarie to drie them, by euacuating, and drawing away the humour, which is the cauſe heereof. Hipp. de morb. Mulier. lib. 2. To this purpoſe, Hippocrates doth much commend vomiting, becauſe it riddeth away ſuch flegmaticke humours,Vomiting is neceſſarie. as commonly are in the ſtomacke, by turning them another way. Beſides that, the ſtomacke while it heaues it ſelfe vpward, lifts, and drawes vp the Matrice with it; but this muſt be done conſiderately, becauſe ſtrong and violent vomiting ſhakes and troubles the Diaphragme and guts, making them preſſe downward, and by this meanes keep downe the Matrice.

Heere alſo will it be auailable to applie large cupping glaſſes, on the top of the hips,Cupping glaſſes. vnder the paps, and vnder the Nauill: as alſo to bind the vpper part of the arms, ſomwhat hard. Moreouer you ſhal let the woman haue good ſents to ſmell to:She muſt hau • ſundry ſmels as alſo ſome things of an ill ſent, to put vp beneath.

Liniments and plaſters, may likewiſe be applied vpon the backe, belly, and groine, ſuch as we haue ſet downe, in the Chapter of Abortment.

As for the third intention,The third meanes to ſtrengthen the mother. which is to ſtrengthen the wombe, you muſt vſe to this purpoſe, Peſſaries, Parfumes, Suffumigations, and Iniections put vp, and applied to the part.

Let the Peſſarie be of the ſame faſhion preſcribed before: but onely let the waxe, with which it is couered, be compounded in this manner.

With this waxe, thus prepared, you may couer the peſſaries made of Corke, in the ſame faſhion as is alreadie deſcribed.

Let the perfumes be made, of the Ingredients aforeſaid,Ill ſmels to be put into the Peſſaries. putting thereto a little Ladanum, and Aſſa foetida, becauſe the Matrice flyeth from any thing that is of a bad ſauour; and let the woman receiue this fume beneath, ſitting in a chaire, with a hole in it. For moiſt ſuffumigations they ſhall be made thus.

Hippocrates counſaileth, to put heerein ſome things of an ill ſauour as Aſſa foetida: You may alſo iniect this decoction, but then let it not be made altogether ſo aſtringent; or elſe let this ſerue for an Iniection.

Hipp. Lib. de natura Muliebri. Hippocrates commendeth a fomentation, made With a mans vrine, and afterwards one made with the leaues of the Maſticke tree.