symptoms are quieted by Opiats and great care must be taken that the flux do not rise too high That her breasts after her delivery may not grow big and swell overmuch as also to avoid the danger of too much blood which being converted into Milk may chance to curd and breed some disease in the breast Therefore as soon as she perceives her self with child let her carry about her neck a small neck-lace of Gold though some do more esteem of a neck-lace of steel or a little ingot of Steel to hang between the two breasts You may also foment the breasts a quarter of an hour every morning with the distilled waters of Sage Periwinckle or ground-Ivy making them first luke-warm When the third or fourth month of her time is come and that she perceives the Infant to begin to swell and to grow big she may swathe it with a linnen swathe-band which she may anoint with some convenient Pomatum this keeps the Belly smooth and from wrinckles and from hanging down like a Tripe She may use this Liniment or Pomatum Take the Gall of a Kid and of a Sow of each 3 ounces Capon-grease and Goose-grease of each an ounce and a half cut these into little pieces and melt them in an earthen dish putting thereto as much water as will suffice to keep them from burning then strain it through a linnen cloath and afterwards having washed it in fair water until it be very white add to it of the marrow of a red Deer about an ounce then wash it again in Rose-water or some other water of a good scent and anoint the swathe-band therewith Or this Take of the grease of a Dogg and the fatt of Mutton which is about the Kidneys of each two ounces the Seed of a Whale about an ounce Oyl of sweet Almonds about an ounce and half prepare the greases as abovesaid then mingle them with the other things and wash them in Rose-water as before Some women that are loath to grease their bellies with these ointments do carry the skin of a Dogg or else the outward and thin pilling of a Sheep's skin Take the skin of a Dog ready drest for the making of Gloves wash it a good many times in fair water first and afterward in Rose-water then dry it in the shade and moisten it in the foresaid Oyls Take this one more Liniment Take a quarter of a pound of fresh butter well washed in fair water of Rose-water and of Oyl of sweet-Almonds an ounce of the seed of a Whale half an ounce melt these altogether and anoint the belly These Ointments are to be kept in a Gally-pot covered over with rose-Rose-water In the first days of this Month it might not be unprofitable to be bathed in the following decoction for the space of a quarter of an hour and being afterwards put to bed to let her self be well rubbed and afterwards anointed with some good Ointment all about the Navel along the Os facrum and the bone of the small guts and all about her hips and thighs You may use this Bath Take of Mallows Mash-Mallows Mother-wort of each two handluis Roots of Lillies three Ounces of Camomile and Melilot-flowers of each a good handful Lineseed Quinces and Fenugreek of each an Ounce boil all these in fair water to make a decoction for a half Bath You may use this Ointment Take Hens grease three Ounces the grease of a Duck an Ounce and a half Oyl of Linseed an ounce and a half fresh butter two Ounces melt all these together and then wash them well either in Pellitory-water or in the water of Mug-wort adding thereto two Ounces of the Muscilage of Marsh-mallows If the Woman all her time do complain that she feels little or no motion of the Child let her carry upon her Navel this following Quilt which will give strength to the Infant Take Powder of Roses red Corral Gilliflowers of each three ounces and an half Seed of Angelica two drams Mastick a dram and an half Ambergreece two grains Musk one grain put all these in a bag of fine linnen and quilt them together for the use aforesaid Thus much is to be observed by women with Child that are in health and have no other diseases hanging upon them but of the other diseases incident to women with Child we shall take a time hereafter to Treat The Womb-cake otherwise called the Womb-liver is much like the Spleen it has abundance of Fibres and small vessels it is two fingers breadth thin near the edges and thick in the middle And when the Child is ready for Birth it is a quarter of a Yard over It is smooth and somewhat hollowish on the side next the Child and is joined to the Chorion but is very unequal on that side next the Womb and has many Bunchings out by which it sticks fast to the Womb. When there are Twins there are two Womb-Cakes either distinct in Shape or seperated by a Membrane one from the other and a particular rope of umbilical Vessels is inserted into each from each Child it at first appears like a woolly Substance on the outside of the outward Membrane that encompasses the Child about the ninth week and a red fleshy soft substance grows upon it in a short time that is unequal and in little knobs and thereby presently sticks to the Womb and is very visible about the thirteenth Week till this time the Child is increased and nourished wholly by the apposition of the Chrystaline or Albugineous Liquor wherein it swims loose in the inner Membrane call'd Amnios having no umbilical Vessels formed whereby to receive any thing from the Womb-cake But when it grows bigger and begins to need more Nourishment the extremities of the umbilical Vessels begin to grow out of the Navel by little and little and are extended towards the Womb-cake that they may draw a more nourishing juice out of it It has Arteries Veins Nerves and Lympheducts some from the Womb and some from the Chorion But tho' they are very large and visible in the Womb yet they send but very small Capillaries to the Womb-cake Those Vessels that come from the Chorion are Arteries and Veins and perhaps the Lympheducts the Arteries and Veins that come from the Womb Spring from the Hypogastricks and from that Branch of the Spermaticks that is inserted into the bottom of the Womb the Umbilical Vessels of the Child come from the Chorion The Womb-cake for the first Month sticks very fast to the Womb but when the Child is come to Maturity it easily seperates from the Womb and falls from it like ripe fruit from a Tree and after the Birth makes part of the Secundine Next to the Womb-cake follow the two Membranes in which the Child is wrapt the outer is called Chorion the inner Amnios and when the Child is perfectly formed there is a third betwixt the other two called Allantois The Chorion is somewhat thick smooth on the inside
it forth 'till it appear all come forth observing still that the Belly and the Face be still kept downward Now if the woman hath a flux of blood and that the neck of the Matrix be open the Chirurgion ought to consider whether the Infant or the Secondines come forth first of all for it oftentimes happens that the Secondines passing toward the mouth of the Matrix do so stop and obstruct it that they do not give leave for the Child or the Waters to come forth so that some perceiving that softness are presently of opinion that the mouth of the Womb is not open But this the Midwife or Chirurgion may easily discern by thrusting up the middle finger as high as may be and feeling therewith the circumference of the neck of the Womb by which they will soon perceive whether the Womb be dilated or no and whether it be the Secondines that present themselves Now when it is found to be the Secondines and that they cannot easily come forth the Midwife may with her two fingers widen the passage that she may have thereby the liberty to put up her hand and seek for the Infant Now if the Secondines be not placed in the middle they must be turned a little as quickly as may be that you may more conveniently seek for the feet of the Infant to draw it forth as we have said In such a case as this all care must be had that nothing be broken and that every thing be brought out whole for so though the woman should die the Midwife or Chirurgion would be blameless If the Secondines come first the best way is to deliver the Woman with all the expedition that may be by reason of the great fluxes of blood that will follow by reason that the veins are opened But here are two things to be considered the first is whether the Secondines are much or little come forth if they are but little advanced they must be put back with care and diligence and if the head of the Child appear first it must be guided directly toward the neck of the Womb as in the most natural birth but if there appear any difficulty in the birth by reason of the weakness either of the Child or of the Mother then the most convenient way will be to seek for the Feet as we have said before Another thing to be observed is that if the Secondines be so far advanced that they cannot be put back and that the Child follow it close then are the Secondines to be pulled away with all the care and expedition that can be and to be laid aside without cutting the Entrail that sticks to them for by that you may be guided to the Infant which whether it be alive or dead is to be pulled out by the feet with as much care and quickness as may be though it is not to be done but in case of great necessity for otherwise the Secondines ought to come last If the Child be dead in the Womb of the Mother the Woman is then to be situated in the same posture as when she is troubled with a flux of blood If it present it self dead with the head foremost and that there is little or no hope that the woman may be delivered without assistance and that her strength begins to fail her the most certain and safe way is to put up the hand For the Chirurgion must then slide up his left hand being hollowed as when a Man strives to hold water in it causing it to slide in the neck of the Womb along the lower part thereof toward the feet and that between the head of the Infant and the neck of the Matrix And having thus opened the Womb with his left hand he shall with his right put up his hook above his left hand between the head of the Child and the flat of his hand and fix in in the bone of the temple toward the ear or else in the hollow of the eye or in the Occipital bone keeping his left hand still in its place after this gently moving and stirring the head with his left hand with his right hand holding the hook well fixed he shall draw the Child forth by degrees exhorting the Woman all the while to force and strain her self with all her power and then is the best time to draw forth the Child when the pains shall seize her now if it happen that he lose his hold in one place the danger is nothing for he hath the liberty to fix his Instrument better in another place The head being thus drawn forth he must with all speed that may be slip his hands down the Child's arm-holes to draw forth his shoulders and the rest of his body In the mean while it will be requisite to give the Woman a small draught of wine or a tost sopt in wine of Hipocras If after these Medicines following adhibited the Child make no haste into the World but lies unmoved in the Womb then you may proceed to Instruments after another manner First of all as soon as the Woman is brought to bed let her take this following potion hot and abstain from all other meat and remain quiet for the space of an hour or two 'till she feel the power and efficacy of the Medicine Take seven cut Figs Fenugreek Motherwort-seed and Rue of each two drams water of Peny-royal and Motherwort of each six ounces boil all these to the consumption of half strain them and to the straining add Trochischs of Myrrh one dram three grains of Saffron Sugar as much as is sufficient make one draught of this and spice it with a little Cinamon After she hath rested a little upon this let her again return to her travel at what time certain perfumes must be made ready of Trochischs composed of these following Spices to be cast on the coals and so used as that the perfume may only come to the Matrix and no further Take Castor Sulphur Galbanum Opoponax Pigeons-dung Assa-faetida of each half a dram mingle all these with the juyce of Rue and make a Trochisch of them in the form of a Filberd If these produce no effect you may use this following Emplaister Take Galbanum an ounce and a half Coloquintida without the grains two drams the juyces of Rue and Motherwort new wax as much of each as is sufficient of each make a plaister Let this be spread upon a cloth to reach from the Navil to the Privities and in breadth to both the sides which she may keep on for the space of an hour or two A Pessary may be also convenient made of Wool and closed over with silk and then moistned in the following Decoction Take of round Birth-wort brought from France Savin and Coloquintida with Grains Staves-acre black Ellebore of each half a dram bruise these together and make a Pessary with as much of the juyce of Rue as is sufficient But now if all these things
Sick has vomited a great while you must give Laudanum without delay and such a dose as is not only equal to the violence and duration of the symptom but such an one as is sufficient to vanquish it Of Barrenness BArrenness is an impotence to conceive coming from defect either of the Genitals or of the blood or of the menstruous blood First through the defect of the Genitals either by the closing up of the Orifice of the womb which may be cut and opened by Art or through the narrowness of the parts for so they will not admit the Yard or by reason of some Ulcers or Excrescencies in the neck of the womb Or by reason of some fault in the seed either the woman being too young or too old or through some distemper in the Vessels dedicated to generation and then the woman perceives very little or no pleasure in the act of Copulation The Cure of this is referred to the Chapter of the distempers of the womb Or when there is not that due proportion of seed which ought to be in both parties which chiefly arises from the use of those things that extinguish barrenness as Mint Rue Camphire Or from Inchantments and then the man cannot lye with his wife or though he should yet cannot emit the seed Against which it is affirmed that the drinking a draught of cold water that drops from the mouth of a young Stone-horse as he drinks and saved in a little vessel is very potent Or when the womb doth not draw the seed which is ejected and that by reason of some cold and moist distemper in which case all sorrow anger and much sleep are to be avoided as also the eating of Milk fresh Cheese and any thing that is made of dough Neither is she to eat Endive Spinage Beets Lettice Nuts Cherries Purslane Onions Garlick or such like nor much broth vinegar and fat flesh In the next place the womb must be cleansed from over-abundance of moisture with syrup of Wormwood with the decoction of Harts-tongue Fennel Cumin and Aniseed After this take once every 14 days a dram of blessed Pills fasting five hours after them Take also of these following Pills Take of Labdanum Agaric Wax and Sheep suet tryed of which you may make Pills to take two or three of them every morning or use this confection Take shaven Ivory Ash keys yellow and wild Rape-seed Siler mountain with red and white Behen of each one dram Cinamon Galingale long Pepper Cloves and Mace Balsam-wood Rosemary-flowers Blatrae Byzantiae Marjoram Penny-royal of each four scruples Baulm Bugloss Citron Pils of each two scruples Pearls one scruple Musk 2 grains white sugar twenty four ounces seeth this with Malmsey and make thereof a Confection Or because of some Diseases in the parts where note that too much fatness of the Call doth close the mouth of the womb such women must not sleep much especially in the day time they must use strong Clysters that are warm and dry and purge often Or when the Womb doth not attract the seed when it is cast in which proceeds from a moist intemperance which is by the looseness of the fibres of the Womb so that the Womb cannot contract it self which is cured as in the moist distemper Or by reason of the thickness of the Womb for then the blood that increases the seed doth not slide down to that place The cure hereof requires a thin diet purging and sweating or by reason of the slipperiness thereof which happens by reason of the running of the whites in women The cure whereof consists in the stopping of the whites which hath been already treated of or by reason of the gaping of the Orifice which hath been occasioned either by difficult birth or by some abortion The cure is performed by astringent Medicines among which the chiefest are the fomentation of Lentisk and Myrtle or by reason of some sudden cough or sneezing immediately after copulation by which the seed is shaken forth Or when the Womb doth not alter the seed that is cast in through an immoderate cold distemper Sometimes through heat and then it would be requisite to avoid hot air and to keep the part about the womb cold the eating of hot meats and spices must be avoided Purge after blood-letting in the Basilick vein of the right hand with Electurium de Epythymo and juyce of Roses of each two drams and a half whey four ounces mix them well together and take them in the morning sleeping on and fasting four hours upon Purge also with Triphera Saracenica and Rheubarb with potions prepared and mixed with syrup of Roses Violets and Endive Take Pistacia Eringo's of each half an ounce of Saffron a dram Lignum Aloes Galangal Avens Mace red and white Behen Baulm-flowers of each four scruple shavings of Ivory and Cassia rinds of each two scruples syrup of Ginger confected twelve ounces white Sugar six ounces seeth these together with the syrup in 12 ounces of baulm-Baulm-water untill it be all boyled away when it is cold put some more water to it and stir them together and at last of all mix with it a scruple and a half of Musk and Amber of this Conserve let the woman take thrice a day to wit in the morning an hour before supper and an hour after dinner Or it proceeds from obstruction of the Flowers in which case first let blood in the Basilick vein then purge with Opoponax and Hiera Composita of each half a dram to be made up into seven Pills to be taken in the morning sleeping upon them an hour and a half with a draught of sugar'd water five hours after or with a potion of syrup of vinegar compounded syrup of Hemp agrimony of each three quarters of an ounce Feverfew Mugwort and Elecampane roots of each an ounce and mix them together Then she may put up into the Womb a pessary of Musk Amber Aloes-Wood and Ash keys of each three grains Saffron half a scruple Hares rennet as much as suffices which being made up like a good big Tent she must keep a whole day in her Body Of the bringing up of Children and of their Diseases Of the Diseases of the Head THE Diseases common to Children are first certain little ulcerous risings chiefly in the Head sometimes in the whole Body they arise from some vitious humour either collected in the Womb or out of the Womb by reason of the badness of the milk containing a serous salt and nitrous quality If there be no ill to be suspected the humour may be driven forth by giving the Child some Syrup of Fumatory or Harts-horn burnt The Nurse is to be purged and the matter offending to be tempered with Syrup of Borage or Fumary If there be much corruption under the Crust of the Scab the Head of the Child is to bo bathed with some softning decoction and then to be anointed with some drying Ointments Sometimes they are troubled with an inflamation of
never cure it wholly Now that which is ordinarily done to women is as soon as ever they are brought to bed to give them two Ounces of Oyl of sweet Almonds drawn without fire with two ounces of Syrup of Maiden-hair 't is true this is good to make her purgations part away but not to remedy the griping Some there are that do take two drops of the blood which comes out of the Navel string of the Infant and give it mingled to the Woman in the foresaid Syrups though there is much fault to be found with this by reason of the nastiness of it Others do boil a white Chicken in the which they do put two ounces of Sugar a dram of â—â—neâ— Cinamon half a Nutmed grated two or three Dates five or six Cloves the Fowl being boiled you may put into it a small quantity of Claret then boyl it altogether again letting it boil till the Fowl be well soaked then strain it and give it to the Woman as soon as she is laid down for want of a white Hen you may take a Pigeon or a red Partridge for want of either Only take heed to give her this if she be feverish because it is something hot The Seed of Savory taken in warm broth is very good and it is also very good for those that have the Cholick The Queen of France her Receipt Take a dram of the root of the great Comfrey one of the kernels of Peaches Nutmegs of each two scruples yellow Amber half a dram Amber-greece half a scruple mingle all these together and give to the woman as soon as she is laid down the quantity of a dram mingled in White-wine or if the Woman be feverish in some good warm broth CHAP. XXVI Certain precepts concerning the delay and difficulty of bringing forth BEing now come to talk of the impediments of the Birth you may know that the Birth is hindered by a two-fold manner the one natural the other not natural of the unnatural we shall treat in its place for the natural take these following directions But in the first place let the Midwife be very skilful that she may decline as much as in her lies all the Impediments that may be avoided If the Birth be hindered by the driness and streightnes of the neck of the Womb take a little beaten Hellebore or Pepper and blow it into the nostrils of the Mother Her Mouth must be held close her Breath kept in and sneezing must be provoked as much as may be whereby the Spirits being forced to the lower parts may be the more available to force down the Child You may also give her Shepherds purse dried in a little Broth or Wine also a little quantity of Honey mingled with twice as much luke-warm water and given her will not be unprofitable The milk also of another Woman mixt with Maiden-hair and applyed warm to the Navel She may take also Oyl of Laurel in Wine or warm Broth two Grains of Pepper being taken inwardly do not only force out the Birth but also drive out the Secondines This is also an excellent remedy against a difficult Travail Take Trochischs of Myrrhe one dram grains of Saffron ten Cinnamon one Scruple mingle all this with two ounces of Penny-royal-water and give it the Woman to drink Let her drink it warm and let her go to her Bed for an hour till she finds the Operation of the drink moving her to her Labour If this profit and that the Infant coming with his head foremost stick in the Womb you may use these pills of which she may take seven and then rest Take Gum Bdellium Myrrh Savin-seed Liquid Storax Agaric of each half a scruple Diagridium six grains mingle all these with Cassia extracted as much as suffices and make up Pills about the bigness of a Pea. You may also use a pessary as long and as thick as your finger of pure wool which must be covered over with silk and dipt in the juice of Rue where Scamony hath been dissolved and so used If these things prove without effect she may use this ensuing Bath above her Belly Take of the Root and Herb Marsh-Mallows six handfuls Mallows Camomile Melilot Parsley of each four handfuls Line-seed and Seed of Fenugreek of each two pound Lavender and Laurel Leaves of each two handfuls Let all these things be boyled together in Water wherein the Woman is to sit or else to have those parts well wet and moistned with Spunges which being done and the Woman well dried with warm Cloaths let her be brought to the Bed and anointed with this Ointment Take Oyl of sweet Almonds Hens Fat Oyl of Lillies Muscilage of Marsh-mallows of each half an Ounce Mingle all these with as much wax as is sufficient and make an Oyntment This being done give her this little Dose Take two Yolks of Eggs and boil them in old Wine then mix with them these Spices Cinamon half an Ounce rind of Cassia 2 drams or you may leave out the Cassia and instead thereof put in the more Cinamon Saffron half a Scruple Savine Betony Venus-hair Dittany Fenugreek Lawrel-berries Mint of each one dram The bone of the Heart of a Hart Pearls prepared mingle all these with Sugar and make a thick Pouder and give it If the Secondine come before the Child and hinder the Egress of the Child is to be cut off and this following Pessary to be put up Take Marsh-mallows with the Roots two handfuls Mother-wort one handful Rue one ounce and an half Fenugreek Line-seed of each an ounce ten Figs make of these a decoction with as much water as is sufficient and when you have strained it add this to it Oyl of Lillies Oyl of Linseed of each two Ounces Musk one grain In this decoction let the pessary be dipt and put up she may afterwards use this Electuary Take Myrrh Castor sweet smelling Flag of each two drams Cinamon one ounce Saffron half a Scruple Mace Savin of each a Scruple clarified Honey half a pound You may also make an Electuary with the water of Thyme and Mother-wort wherein have been boiled Fenugreek Linseed grains of Juniper of each one spoonful Now after that the Woman hath been weakned with these Impediments you may give her in Broth Species Laetificans or Manus Christi or Diamargariton CHAP. XXVII How the Secondines are to be hastned out THE Secondines after that the Infant is born may be many ways hindred first by the debility or weakness of the Matrix which happens by the frequent motion and endeavouring of the Infant as also by reason of the difficulty of the Birth or by reason that the womb doth not continue distended or because it is many times streightned by which the womb is so weakned that by its own force it is not able to expel the Secondines Besides the Secondines may inwardly stick close to the womb which happens many times through the abundance of superfluous Humours that are retained in the
be fomented with a certain fomentation of Milk wherein hath been boiled a few Roses some Chervil and a little Plantain From the next day to the eighth day you may use this bath Wine and water of each half a pint red Roses and flowers of St. John's wort of each two handfuls Agrimony one handful mak of this a decoction after bathing once or twice lay this following Oyntment along the lips of the Privities upon a linnen cloth Take Oyl of St. John's wort 2 ounces Sperma ceti an ounce and a half a little white wax mix all these together melt them and make an Oyntment After the eight days are past you may lay upon her belly this following Plaister Take Oyl of St. John's wort Camomile and Anniseeds of each one ounce Oyl of Mastick an ounce and a half Oyl of Mirtles six drams Sperma ceti two ounces the fat of the Reins of a Goat an ounce and a half Deers suet one ounce of this make an Oyntment to anoint the belly of the woman in Child-bed and then apply this following Plaister Take Oyl of Myrtles and St. Johns-wort of each an ounce and a half Oyl of Nip one ounce Venice-Turpentine washed in water of Motherwort four ounces melt all these together and put them upon a Hempen cloath that may cover all the belly and let her wear it the space of eight days These fifteen days being past for the space of eight days more you may lay upon her belly and her hips this following Plaister Take Oyl of Mastick Myrtles Jasmine and Quinces of each an ounce and a half Oyl of Acorns two ounces Sperma ceti one ounce Venice-Turpentine washed in Plantain-water half an ounce wax six ounces melt all these together adding powder of Mastick and seal'd earth of each half an ounce Florentine Orrice one ounce spread all these upon a hempen cloath and lay it upon her belly to be kept there for the space of eight or ten days for the lower parts this Fomentation may be needful Take Leaves of Plantain Mullein Knot-grass and Horse-tail of each one handful Cypress-leaves a handful and a half of the rind of Pomgranates Cypress-Nuts and Pomgranate-flowers of each half an ounce red Roses Camomile and Melilot of each a handful Roch-allum two ounces Sweet smelling-Flag and Florentine-Orrice of each three drams Gilliflowers one dram make of these two bags and boyl them in like quantities of sowre wine and Smith's water for the exteriour mouth of the neck of the Womb. Of the choice of a good Nurse THE choice of a good Nurse is very important and therefore you must first look upon her aspect and see whether her sight be no way imperfect as whether she be squint-eyed or have a down-cast look you must have a special care that she be not red haired for their Milk is extreamly hot see moreover whether her teeth be sound and white and well set know whether she come of Parents that have been troubled with the Consumption and if she have not nor be consumptive her self you may judge of her stomach and whether she be subject to Catarrhs you must also take heed that she send no stinking-breath either from her mouth or nostrils for that corrupts the Lungs of the Infant Enquire whether neither she nor any of her kindred have been troubled with Leprosie by reason that it is very contagious or with the Falling-Sickness And therefore those Women that either cannot or will not nurse their own Children must make use of such women as are most fit to the humour they would have the Child to be of For the Nurse is now to be the second Mother of the Child from whom the Infant draws all her Conditions be they good be they bad and it is often seen that Children do partake more of the Conditions of the Nurse than the Mother and therefore care must be taken that the Nurse be good conditioned good teeth brown hair of a healthy generation that neither she nor her Husband have had the French Disease that she be not peevish nor cholerick that she have Milk in abundance and a good fleshy breast that her breast be not over-fleshy that she be not over fat and above all that she be not of too amorous a humour and desirous to be with her Husband for that is perfect venom to the milk What is to be done in the extream pains of the Child IF a Child have extream throws presently after it be born you must rub it with Pellitory and fresh butter or Spinage or else with Hogs-greace and apply it upon the Navel having first a great care that it be not too hot Or else make a little cake of Eggs and Oyl of Nuts and apply it in the very same place if this avail not give it a little Clyster of Milk the yolk of an Egg and a little Sugar this easeth the pain of the Intestines What is to be done with those Children that are troubled with Flegm THere are some Children born of ill-constitution'd Women or else of Women that have not used good nourishment in the time of their being with Child who are very full of flegm these you must lay upon one side and somtimes upon the other for if you lay them upon their backs you may perchance choak them you must be sure to keep their bellies soluble causing them to void that blood kept in the Entrails from the time of their being in the womb by giving it a little Suppository of black Sope well rubbed in fresh butter to take away the Acrimony of it then give it a spoonful of Syrup of Violets this causes the flegm to pass down If you perceive that the Infant hath not much heat you may mix with it half the quantity of Oyl of sweet Almonds and half of the syrup of Violets and continue it stroaking the stomach anâ— the belly of the Infant with fresh butter every time thaâ— they undress him That which ought to be done to Children that have their Cods full of wind WHen Infants have their Cods full ye must examine whether it be with wind or water if it be with water by rubbing and chafing the skin with fresh butter the waters will sweat out if it be wind the Children must be stirred and swung gently mingling in their drink the decoction of Aniseeds How to take away the Canker from the mouths of Infants THere have been known certain Children which have ben nourished with cold milk which hath been thick and in great quantity which a few days after its birth hath heated the mouth of the Infant in such a fashion that it caused a white Canker which presently possessed the tongue palate the gums the throat and all the mouth whereupon it was taken with a Fever and it could no longer suck all the assistance that could be was still applied and when no other Medicine did avail there was found one a particular remedy which was half a handful of Sage a
Precipitat and the Eschar was dressed with Basilicon and the other openings with Diapompholigos and the Cerate of Marsh-mallows over all After a more full-separation of the Eschar observing the Fungus to rise more large a Stupe was applied wrung out of a decoction of the tops of Worm wood Rue Mint the Flowers of red Roses and Balaustines made in Wine and Water and Chalcanthum was applyed upon the Fungus and pledgets of the Ointment of Tutty over the Ulcerated parts The second day after the Dressings were took off and the Eschar was found to be made by the Catheretick which was thrust off and it was dressed again with the same and the use of the Escharoticks was continued during these applicationss a Plaister of Bole was applied over the Breast to restrain the fluxion yet notwithstanding the fungus encreased and raised the swelling between that and the other Orifices and therefore a large Caustick was applied upon the swelling which laid some of the Orifices into this the Eschar was divided and dressed up with lenients and the Fungus was cover'd with escharoticks wherever it began to thrust out by which it was kept down But after the separation of this latter Eschar the Fingus appeared great and the way of extirpating it by Escharoticks being slow the Surgeon thrust his Finger under it and at once broke it and pulled it out in pieces and then filled up the place with Parâ—celsus's mundificative upon Pledgits sprinkled with red Precipitat and the foresaid Plaister being applied over the whole Breast it was bound up The second day after it was opened again and by this method often repeated the remainder of the Fungus was subdued and a firm basis raised on which to incarn with an addition of powders of the roots of orris myrrh and Sarcacoll to the fore-mentioned Mundificative and Agripa's Cerate was applied over the breast and in a few days it was cicatrized with a smooth Cicatrix the lips falling in by the benefit of Nature which was assisted the while by traumatick decoctions and the like When one of the Breasts has been Cured it happens often that the other swells from the abundance of Milk and grows hard and apostuntats sometimes both Breasts are thus diseased at one time A Gentlewoman had both her Breasts swelled a long time and afterwards they apostumated by reason of the pain several abscesses were made and the matter discharged by such openings In process of time the Ulcers became sinuous and callous with hardness of the glands the Cure was begun by Fomentations and discussing and resolving Pultesses made of the roots and leaves of Marsh-mallows henbane the tops of hemlock mint rue the flowers of elder the seeds of fenugreek flax and the like and with the meal of lentiles barly hogs-lard ducks and goose grease and the like and dilating the orifices and cleansing with paracelsuses mundificative red precipitat and allom while the Surgeon was endeavouring by the methods abovesaid new troubles arose within which forced him to lay such places open by caustick as might best serve for the discharge of matter after separation of the Eschar he again cleansed and healed them Of windy Tumours in the Breasts THE flatuous Tumour of the Breasts is caused by a thick vapour which rises from the menstrual blood which is retained or corrupted in the Matrix The causes of which are first the suppression of the flowers or when the flowers are not discharged into their proper place and in their proper time as also from the corruption of the humours by which are ingendered divers bad fumes and vapours for this being received into the Breasts causes a distention much like a true swelling The sign by which it is known is the pain which it brings along with it which is sharp and prickling causing a distention of the part The heart is not a little out of order by reason of the windinesses which lye so near it and commonly the left Breast is mow swoln communicating its pain to the arm shoulder and ribs of the same side And the signs differ from those of a Cancer for in this distemper the Breast is white and shining by reason of the distention and if you touch it it sounds like a drum And if you press it with your hands you will find that it is swelled in all parts alike and not in one more than another This is Cured first by a good order of diet taking little victuals whereby crudities may be avoided that do afford matter to the obstructions and increase windiness For which cause she must also drink little and that water boyled with Cinamon Aniseed and rind of Citrons The next remedy is by using things which are good to provoke the Courses among which use this Receit strain Celandine stampt into posset-ale and drink it four days before the new-moon and four days after And it will not be amiss to let blood three or four times in the year about the time that the Courses ought to begin For by this means you may provoke the flowers and hinder the increase either of a Scirrhus or of a Cancer to which purpose baths and frictions are not a little to be used In the next place you must prepare the humours that foment this windiness both in the Matrix and in the Veins and that by Syrups which do expell flegm and melancholly after which you must purge your Patient for which purpose you may use this gentle Apozem Take of the root of Tamarinds Cypress Bugloss of each an ounce and a half flowers of Borage Epithymum Sena of each half a handful flowers of Balm one handful Raisins one ounce Prunes in number twelve boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water and then in a pint of the water dissolve four ounces of the syrup of Violets make of this an Apozem clarified according to Art and sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of Sugar giving four or five ounces at a time In the next place you may use Topicks to attenuate and resolve to which purpose you may bathe or foment the Breast with a Sponge dipt in Lye and then lay upon it a linnen cloth dipt and moystned in Aqua-vitae and dryed in the shade or else dipt in fresh butter that hath boyled a good while or in oyl of Lillies or in oyl both of the root and seed of Angelica or you may foment the Breast with this Decoction Take wheat-bran two handfuls leaves of Dill and Melilot of each half a handful Aniseed Fennel and Cumin-seed of each two drams Camomile-flowers one handful boyl all these in a sufficient quantity of water and white-wine and let them boyl to the consumption of the third part In this decoction you may wet a sponge and wash or foment the Breast therewith After you have fomented the part you may put this Oyntment upon the part affected Take oyl of Lillies and Elder of each an ounce and a half of the best Balsom half an ounce powder
the good diet of the Nurse and partly by convenient Medicines among which a bath made of Sulphur Nitre and the leaves of Oak is exceeding good Of the Intertrigo WHen the little skin in the Hips is separated from the true skin it arises first from the sharpness of the Urine especially in Children that are more corpulent by reason of the dirt which frets the skin being gathered together in the wrinkles Bath the place and then sprinkle upon it either white Nihili or anoint it with Oyl of Litharge Of Leanness THis arises either from a subtle kind of Worms which are generated in the most musclely parts of the Back and Arms and consume the Body they break forth sometimes like to black hairs if you wash those parts with a Bath mixed with Bread and Honey they are taken away either with a Razor or with a crust of bread Secondly it arises from the small quantity of milk which is oftentimes remedied by changing the Nurse Of the difficulty which Children have to make water IF the Disease proceed from sharpness of the Urine the Nurse must use such a way of diet as is proper for the tempering and cooling of the blood she must be purged and let blood using afterwards cooling and refrigerating broths If it proceed from any gross humor ingendered in the Bladder the Nurse must abstain from all meats that do breed gross humors as milky meats Pease and Beans and such like If the Child be troubled with gravel which may be perceived by the whiteness and rawness of the Urine with a gravelly setling at the bottom and the continual pain in making water If the Child be any thing big let a potion be given him of an ounce and a half of sweet Almonds an ounce of Pellitory water and two drams of the juyce of Lemons use as much of this at a time as is convenient Or take of this powder of the blood of a Hare six ounces of the root of Saxifrage one ounce burn them in an earthen pot and if the Infant suck give him a scruple of this powder in a little milk Of the Inflammation of the Almonds of the Ears IF the Child be very small you must wash the throat as near the root of the Tongue as may be with a linnen cloth tied to a stick dipped in this Gargarism Take of new extracted Cassia one dram syrup of dry Roses one dram and a half six ounces of the decoction of Coriander Or you may anoint the Neck with Oyl of Violets and Camomile binding the Neck with a little roller well anointed with the same when the Child goes to bed you may give him in a spoon a little syrup of dried Roses of Pavot and Nenuphar mingled together Oxycrate alone doth make an excellent Gargarism If they come to a Suppuration you must use this Gargarism Take of the decoction of Barley Plantain Agrimony Speedwell Honey-suckle and herb Rob six ounces in which dissolve Honey of Roses and Sugar-Candy of each half an ounce to make a Gargarism Of Vomiting IF it proceed from abundance of milk which the Child sucks you must take care that the Child suck less and often If it come from any ill humor contained in the stomach besides that the Nurse must keep a very good diet the Infant must be purged with a small expression of Rheubarb giving it afterwards a little mint-Mint-water sweetned with syrup of Quinces to comfort the stomach putting afterwards upon his stomach this Plaister Take of the pulp of condited Quinces two ounces red Roses Wormwood and red Saunders of each two drams Oyl of Quinces as much as sufficeth make a plaister of this and lay it upon the stomach of the Child Of the Hicquet IF it come from an over much repletion it will not be amiss to make him Vomit of whatsoever age he be or if it be necessary that a greater force should be used you must try to make him Vomit by putting down the Throat a feather dipt in oyl If from the badness of the Nurses miâ—k she must be changed for a better if from the coldness of the stomach you must use remedies to comfort it as little Tablets of Diarrhodon of which you must dissolve a scruple in the Milk of the Nurse you must also chafe the stomach of the Child with Oyl of Wormwood Mastick and Quinces Of the pain of the Belly in Children IF the disease come from indigestion and moistness the little Infant will Vomit and be troubled with a Flux of the Belly and the Belly will be hard In which case you may give the Infant one ounce of sweet Almonds drawn without fire and mingled with a quantity of Sugar-candy or anoint the Belly with this ointment Take Oyl of Camomile and Oyl of sweet Almonds of each an ounce and a half mingle them and therewith anoint the Belly If wind be the cause you may mingle a little Oyl of Rue in the foresaid Oyntment Of the Small Pox in Children THE signs of this disease are pains in the Head accompanied with a Fever redness about the Eyes a dry Cough and you shall mark in the skin up and down the body certain little spots upon the Face Back Breast and Thighs The small Pox is dangerous if they come forth with much pain if they be greenish blewish or blackish For the cure of this If the Infant suck the Nurse must keep a good order of diet she may eat broth of Hens with Endive Cichory Bugloss and Borage boiled therein Now to make the small Pox come forth the more quickly if the Child be little the Nurse must drink this following Potion Take of fat Figs one ounce peeled Lentils half an ounce Gum Lacca two drams Gum Tragacanth and Fennel-seed of each two drams and a half make of this a decoction in Fountain-water and strain it to the quantity of two pints sweeten this either with Sugar or syrup of Maiden-hair let her drink of this in the morning a good glass full Or you may give the Child if it be able to take it this Julep to be used very often Take of Cordial-waters two ounces and a half syrup of Lemons one ounce mingle it and use it often four or five hours after give him of powder of Unicorns-horn and Bezoar Now to keep this venomous humor from attacking the eyes temper a little Saffron in a small quantity of Plantain and rose-Rose-water and rub the eye-lids or you may anoint them with Tutie For keeping them from the Nose take Rose-water and Betony-water of each an ounce Vinegar half an ounce juyce of Pomegranates six ounces in which steep two drams of Sanders and two drams of the powder of Citron-peel add to this six grains of Saffron and make a Medicine for the Child to smell often to the same Medicine will serve for the ears by stopping them with a little Cotton To preserve the Mouth and Throat and Tongue take this Gargarism Take whole Barley one handful Plantain leaves
her self in her bed and let this plaister be spread upon her loyns Lay a Goats-skin between the sheet and the bed because of the heat of the hollow Vein or else take Crocus Martis one dram juyce of Knot grass four ounces Rose-water and Vinegar of each one ounce mingle them all well together with the white of an egg then dip a linnen cloth therein and apply it cold to the loins An Emplaister for a Woman that is fearful of containing the Birth TAke of the root of Snake-weed and Tormentil each one ounce and a half Joubertus astringent powder Myrtle-berries Psidia Pomgranate-flowers of each six drams Dragons-blood Spong Bedeguar of each half an ounce Frankincense Mastick of each three drams Cummin one dram Nutmegs Cloves of each half a dram Common Pitch six ounces Venice Turpentine washed in juyce of Shepherds-purse Ship pitch three ounces Wax as much as is sufficient make of these an Emplaister to be applied to the reins Preparatory Oyntments to be used before the time of Delivery TAke Oyl of Lillies and Cammomil of each four ounces new Hogs-seam strein'd new fresh Butter of each an ounce and an half Muscilage of the seed of Fenugreek extracted in Mugwort-water two ounces of powder of round Birth-wort and Saffron of each two drams Wax as much as suffices make a mollifying Oyntment to anoint the Thighs Hips and Matrix Or else Take the roots of white Lillies cut small four ounces leaves of Violets and Mallows chopt of each one handful oyl of Lillies one pint boyl these together upon hot embers in a silver dish always moving them 'till they grow soft in the nature of a Cataplasm Then strein it and to the streined liquor add Goose-grease Hogs-seam of each three ounces Saffron one ounce mingle them well and make an Oyntment for the use above-said In case of Vomiting APply to the Stomach a Stomachical Cerecloth sprinkled with Galbanum powdered powder of Cloves and Mastick and then covered with fine linnen Or else give Aromaticum Rosatum before meals which is a most excellent remedy A woman in the first place finding her self to be with Child for the three first months ought to keep from violent exercises as also at the first quarter at Full of the Moon and in the time when she hath her natural purgations for at all these seasons there is a motion of the humours and of the blood which many times causeth a discharge of the Birth neither ought a woman at such times as these dance ride or go in Coaches but upon urgent necessity and that very softly In the fourth month the Child being alive moves and stirs which causeth a squeamishness in the stomach where at that time 't is good for the Woman to eat alone that she may neither see nor hear of any thing of hurtful diet to which she may have a longing desire Neither is it good at that time for her to walk in the field or in gardens for fear she should see any thing to long after offensive to her health The fifth and sixth months are not so dangerous yet 't is good to have a care In the seventh month the Child comes to perfection and oft-times endeavours to come forth for which cause great and diligent care is to be taken of the Woman at that time For though the Child born in that month may live yet it will prove weak and harder to bring up The eighth month in indifferent The Child which is born in that Month is not long liv'd because it is much weakned by its indeavours to get forth in the seventh and has not yet recovered strength Regulation of Diet. FOR the first eight months it will be convenient for her to use such meats and drinks which neither moisten loosen nor bind overmuch but moderately and let them be of easie digestion and good juyce As to Flesh Capons Partridges Larks Pullets and Mutton afford good nourishment As to Fish the Gurnard the Sole the Smelt and many other firm Fish may be eaten Her Bread ought to be white well baked and light Marmalade is good after meals and sometimes before neither are the best sort of Pears forbidden As for her drink Claret is very good as also small Ale and Beer well brewed strong wines are very hurtful especially those that are white She must have a care to abstain from Spices opening and windy meats as also from raw herbs and Salads from Beans and Pease and all baked meat In the ninth month she must abstain from all astringent things as Paste of Quinces Rice and Pears Marmalad and the like on the contrary let her use mollifying and loosening meats as flesh that is young and tender Pottages made with Borage Bugloss Lettice Violets March-mallows and such like Other Advertisements relating to the several accidents which may happen FIrst if the Woman fear Abortion and that she carry her Child low near her Privities let her do as follows Take the Treddles of three new laid Eggs and beat them well together then take of Scarlet Silk as much as suffices and cut it very small and mix it with the egg and make the said mixture into Pills take of these Pills in a little Claret-wine do this three days together and every month three times in the same manner You may also use this following Plaister Take of Myrâ—les Orange-flowers of each one ounce Acorn cups stalks of Roses each one ounce Bole Armonick fine and true Dragons-blood of each three ounces Turpentine two ounces Oyl of Quinces or Myrtles as much as is sufficient to make the plaister which is to be applied to the reins and upon the belly and withall to be stretched out upon the thighs It may lye on five or six days without changing However a woman ought not to tamper nor use any thing unless there be very great necessity which she shall know thus If at the full or new Moon or else at the time when she uses to have her monthly purgation if at that time her Purgations come down then Abortion is to be feared and remedies are to be applied But if the woman carry the Infant high and that her belly swells and extends so strongly that there may be some danger of fissures and clefts in the skin then let her use this following oyntment Take half a hundred of Sheeps trotters with bones and wooll when the Moon is at the full bruise them and beat them then let them boyl in a good quantity of water for half a days time let them cool and then take off the fat that swims and with this mingle four ounces of Sperma Caeti four ounces of Oyl of Almonds drawn without fire and four ounces of white Wax melt all these together over a soft fire then put therein half a pint of Rose-water then take it off the fire and stir it till it grow cold with this oyntment you shall first anoint the part extended and then lay some of it on the said part where
to be applied to the breasts If you would increase the milk foment the breasts with the decoction of Fennel or else give her the decoction of Mint and lay the Mint boyled upon her breasts Or if these things prevail not use this following Powder Take of Anise Fennel Cummin-seed two drams Ginger half an ounce Carui of both sorts of Pepper Coral each one dram Cinamon three drams seed of Daucus one dram Siler montan half an ounce Cardamom Long pepper each three drams Seselos half an ounce seed of Sesamum one ounce white Poppy half an ounce mingle them and make a powder thereof and take one dram at pleasure in broth made of red Coleworts Or you may use this following oyntment Take of Venice-Turpentine oyl of Roses Vinegar of Roses equal parts add to this a little new wax and therewith anoint the breasts But if the Milk do curdle and harden in the breasts First chafe the breasts well with raw honey then take of new wax two ounces new oyl of nuts and vinegar two or three spoonfuls melt them together and dip that in little round linnen clothes with holes in the middle to lay upon the breasts Now if there be any tumour or hardness caused by the coagulation of the milk then Take of the leaves of Parsley Hemlock Uinca pervinca Box and Chervile and let them boyl in the strongest Vinegar and then strain them then take oyl of Roses Lillies and sweet Almonds each one ounce of the foresaid Vinegar four ounces mingle them in a marble mortar for an oyntment adding one scruple of Camphire dissolved in part of the oyl and toward the latter end of your stirring it add the white refrigerating Ceratum of Galen Unguent of Roses of Messu one ounce and a half mingle them all well together and apply them to the hard swelling part it asswages the tumour and causes the milk to flow through the Teats If the Tumor be painful and enflamed you must not use the Camphire for it encreases the pain till that the pain be asswaged An Oyntment against the curdling of the Milk in the Breast TAke of the roots of Marsh-mallows half a pound boyl them well in Vinegar and strain them thro' a hair sieve add to this Bean-meal one ounce powder of Rue and dried Mint one dram Oyl of Mastick as much as suffices Against Fissures in the Breasts TAke Gum-Arabick most finely powdered one ounce Rose water and Aqua-vitae a sufficient quantity prepare them together till they come to a just thickness make thereof an oyntment and apply it to the said Fissures Or else anoint the said Fissures with Ointment of Roses then apply the inside of the leaf of Ground-Ivy changing often this cures within six or eight days Another of the same TAke Lytharge of Silver Myrrh Ginger and oyl-Olive as much as suffices mix them to the thickness of an oyntment before you apply this moisten the Fissures themselves with spittle but no part of the breast beside Pain in the Breasts after Delivery TAke new Wax two ounces oyl of Nuts half an ounce oyl of Rape-seeed or Turnep seed half an ounce first melt the Wax then add the Oyls dip therein the clothes cut fit to the breasts if there be any pain after delivery the application of these cloaths will with great success asswage the same An Opiate to be given to Childern newly born TAke Mithridate of Alexandria three drams Conserve of Bugloss and Roses of each one dram mingle them well together and keep them in a glass Vessel well stopt an hour or half an hour after the Child is born before it hath suckt give to it of the foresaid opiate to the quantity of a Filberd let it not suck till five hours after continue thus doing for a month giving the Child this opiate once in a week and then it will be sufficient that the Child abstain but an hours space from the Teat It will not be amiss to anoint the Navel of the Child with an ointment made of Ambergreece and Suet equal parts with a little oil of sweet-Almonds This will preserve the child from Epilepsies and Convulsions Against Barrenness TAKE of Pine-nuts first well washt in Rosewater six ounces sweet Almonds washed in like manner and bruised each two ounces Citron pill condited root of Satyrion Erythranion one ounce Pulp of Sebesten Prunes of Damascus fat boiled in Sugared water each one ounce and a half Coriander prepared three drams Pulveris Diambre one dram Penidium one ounce and a half the inner rind of Cinamon half an ounce true Amber of an Ash-colour one dram Moso one Scruple refined Sugar boiled in Rose-water one pound and a half take all these things and beat them and powder them well and make thereof a Paste so dried at a gentle fire Let the woman take this at pleasure after dinner and three hours before at pleasure abstaining from liquid meats The man also may eat of this paste but let him not use copulation at the time of the Womans Purgations nor when she bathes her self but presently after Those mornings that he abstains let him take one spoonful of the water of Cocks-blood with three or four spoonfuls of the best Broth. For the same A Syrup Take Syrup of Hempagrimony Simple Oxymel Syrup de rad each one ounce and a half waters of Nipp Betony and Mugwort of each three ounces make thereof a syrup perfectly boiled strein it and let it he aromatized with Cinamon for three doses morning and evening A Potion Take Agarick infused in Honey of Roses and a little white-Wine for a whole night one ounce Diacatholicon half an ounce Diaphenicon Elect. Ind. major each one dram and a half Syrup of Roses Solutive with Agorick one ounce with a decoction of red Chiches make a Potion thereof and give it after the Syrup is all taken for ten days and ten days before the coming of the monthly purgations Three days after the operation of the said potion let blood in Vena Saphena of the right foot and take away three ounces of blood at evening An Opiate Take of the great Triphera without Opium two ounces Methridate three ounces mix these well together and let her take thereof the quantity of a Walnut after she is let blood drinking upon the said Bolus a spoonful of Aromatick Wine white or Claret let the Patient take this when she is clean from her Purgations only in the morning while she hath them upon her only at night and then let her also make use of this Pessary Take of Spike Myrrh and Agarick and Colocynth each three drams Benedict one ounce and a half mix them well together with the juyce of French Mercury and wrapt in fine red silk make thereof little Pessaries and put one of them into the Womb in the day and another at night But from the time that she is let blood until her Purgations let her use but one in the day but from the time that they
I excused the passion and impatience of friends but I would not do any thing against my duty for complacency a fault that is soon committed but not so easily repented of This Woman was pretty long as most Women are of their first Children in which time her husband altogether impatient and seeing her to doubt the report of the Midwives Therefore said he here is a Chirurgeon hard by who may be sent for to resolve the doubt of the Midwives he sent for him just about the hour that the Woman was to be brought to bed The Chirurgeon when he came saw that the Child was ready to come forth The Midwives who had given way to the Chirurgeon thinking to take their place again as soon as he had touched her to make his report were deceived for he seeing the business ready to be done told her Husband that it was necessary for him to operate but that he would proceed with so much industry that he would not only bring forth a sound and a lusty child but moreover that he would render his wife also into a safe condition The Midwives when they would have spoken were put to silence The Gentlewoman was presently delivered and he stayed but a little while to receive his reward Thus the Midwives that had attended long and all the while of the Travail were dispised and put off and the Chirurgeon extolled and praised and well rewarded with several most obliging and courteous invitations About a year after he was entertained upon the former score like a Prince the hour of her Labour came again and the Gentleman was gone to visit some of his friends having such a confidence in the Chirurgeon that he set his mind at rest for any danger The Labour of this child was not like the Labour of the other child for it came with the feet foremost and when the whole body was come forth the head could not be got forth He had brought with him no instruments thinking that this Delivery would have been like the other but seeing himself at a stand he sent to a Chirurgeon not far off for an Istrument in the mean time he sent into the kitchen for a Ladle with a hook at the end thereof to draw forth the child He drew it so well that he drew away the life of the child and without seeking any further for any body to saddle his horse or bidding any body farewell he fled his wayes This may be an instruction to those that are so ready to entertain Mountebanks and Empericks than whom there are no men more prodigal of the life of another for money Of a Woman that because she would not be ruled in her Lying in died I Was one day called to the Labour of a woman which had good Deliveries of her Sons and Daughters at their due time although her Deliveries of Boys were always more difficult than those of her Daughters being come to her I found her walking in the Chamber with her leggs bare in a season that was not over-hot I caused her to be put into her bed to warm her again but she would by no means endure it although I prayed her she was angry with me and told me This was not the rule to be constrained The Mistress and the Nurse combined against me the night approached the waters being come down I feared the ill success of this business that her disease would be irrecoverable by reason of her self-will'dness I desired her husband to use his endeavour but he could do no more with her than I about midnight I prayed her to go to bed again and to warm her self and unless she would do so I could do nothing She told me I understood nothing in respect of a certain Surgeon who when she had such a kind of Labour before only toucht her with his finger and delivered her and that she would have him I was content and so she sent for him He came very confidently but his work was not at so easie a pass as formerly he put a good large Table-Napkin before him trussing it up to his elbows saying he was as able to deliver her as before She would no more see me after his arrival the Surgeon to whom I represented after his arrival all that I had understood and seen and the fear which I had of her told me that all would be well At day break a neighbour of mine calling me away I desired her Husband to let me go but he was unwilling unless I would promise to come again which I did and as soon as the door was open one of the servants told me another Midwife was sent for Her Husband desired me again that since the Chyrurgeon failed of his skill I would use my skill but it was too late for the Chyrurgeon left them and the Woman died See here how ill a thing it is to be opinionated for I could easily have delivered her if she would have been ruled by me Of certain Women that bear Children and lie in before their time And others at their full time who grow big and full of humours which causeth the death of the Child presently after their Delivery their Children being nourished in their bellies like fish only with water I Knew a Gentlewoman who had Laid-in three times but yet none of her Children lived I desired her to take a Physician that might give advice both to her and me and to order her some remedies and a government of diet to keep her from suffering the like accidents for time to come We chose a Physician who prescribed certain Tablets or Trochisques to take from the time she began to grow big until the time of her Delivery twice a week as also to take the water of Indian Bul-rush and of Sarsaparilla to mix in her drink or broth as often as she would having a due regard to the heat of her blood She observed every tittle of his directions which made her to bear a Son alive sound and healthful She continued these Remedies four years together but the next time she grew big with Child she thought that Nature of â—t self would be sufficient I counselled her to the contrary but she hearkned not so that when her time came she was brought to bed of a dead Child I shall give you the Receipt of the Tablets and of the water for the benefit of Women that are subject to an ill Delivery by reason of the great quantity of water which hindereth the Child from turning in the Womb The Water is made in this manner Take two pints or two pints and a half of water put therein half an ounce of the root of Indian Bul-rush and an ounce of Sarsaparilla put this in the drink and let it infuse one night mix it with the drink or else drink it pure The Tablets are made after this fashion Take Mace Saunders Rhubarb Pearl and Coral Sena of each 25 grains with one ounce and half of Sugar let every
Practice of the whole Art a Work very useful and necessary for the information of all in Physick Chyrurgery Chymistry c. By N. Culpeper late Student in Physick With on account of the Author's Life The Contents OF the Genitals or Vessels dedicated to Generation in men or women Page 1 Of the Vessels of preparation p. 2 Of the Parastatae or Vessels where the blood is first changed p. 5 The use of the preparing Vessels p. 4 Of the Testicles in general p. 6 Of the Tunicles of the Stones p. 8 Of the suspensory Muscles p. 9 Of the substance and temper of the Stones p. 10 Of the actions of the Testicles p. 11 Of the Vtility of the Testicles and their parts p. 12 Of the Vessels that casteth forth the Seed p. 14 Of the Seminary Bladders p. 15 Of the Kernelly Prostatae or forestanders p. 17 Of the structure of the Yard p. 21 Of the several parts constituting the Yard p. 22 Of the action of the Yard p. 26 Of the use of the Yard in general ibid. Of the use of the parts constituting the Yard p. 27 Of the Genitals of Women p. 29 Of those parts called Nemphae and the Clytoris p. 30 Of the fleshy knobs and the greater neck of the Womb. p. 33 Of the Hymen p. 34 Of the Vessels that run through the neck of the Womb. p. 36 Of the fabrick of the Womb. p. 37 Of the preparing Vessels in Women p. 40 Of the stones in Women p. 41 Of the deferent or ejaculatory Vessels p. 45 Of the actions and uses of the Genital parts in Women p. 48 Of the action of the Clytoris p. 49 Of the action and use of the neck of the Womb. ibid. Of the uses of the Vessels running thro' the neck of the womb p. 50 Of the actions of the Womb. p. 50 Of the Vtility of the Womb. p. 51. Of the Vtility of the preparing Vessels in Women p. 52 Of the Vtility of the Stones ibid. Of the signs of Conception p. 53 Whether she hath conceived a Male p. 56 Whether a Female ibid. Of the Conception of Twins p. 57 Of false Conception ibid. How Women ought to govern themselves in the time of their going with Child p. 63 The Womb-Cake p. 85. Of the mixture of the Seed of both Sexes as also of its substance and form p. 96. Of the three Tunicles which the Birth is wrapt in in the Womb. p. 97. Of the true generation of the parts and the increase of them according to the several days and seasons p. 98 Of the nourishment of the Birth in the Womb. p. 102 Of the condition of the Infant in the Womb in the 6 7 and 8 month p. 103 Of the situation of the Child in the womb ibid. Of Midwives p. 107 What ought to be observed when she is near the time of her lying down p. 108 How to expell the Collick from Women in Child-bed p. 110 How the Midwife may know when the pains of Travel do seize on a Woman p. 111 Of the falling down of the Waters a good while before the Woman Travels ibid. What the Midwife ought to do in time of Travel p. 112 How to draw forth the Secondines p. 114 What may be given to a Woman in Travel ibid. How to put the Womb again into its place p. 115 Against the extream loss of blood which happens to women immediately after their delivery p. 116 What is to be done to a woman presently after her Delivery p. 117 Of Women that have a great deal of blood and purge not neither in their Travel nor after p. 118 Of those who have but a little blood p. 120 What is to be done to the Infant ibid. How to govern Women in Child-bed p. 121 Of the bathings that a Woman is to use for the first eight days of her Lying-in p. 122 How a Midwife ought to govern her self in case a Woman be to be deliver'd of two Children ibid. Of the danger that a Woman hath to purge her self for the first days of her Lying-in p. 124 Of the second washing for Women ibid. What is to be done to Infants as soon as they are born p. 125 Of the last Washing for Women p. 126 Of an Astringent for women when they shall have occasion 127 To make Cere-Cloaths for Women ibid. To cleanse a Woman before she rises ibid. How a woman lying in of her first Child may avoid the gripings of her belly p. 128 The Queen of France her Receipt p. 129 Certain Precepts hindring the delay and difficulty of bringing forth ibid. How the Secondines are to be hasten'd out p. 132 Pills for that purpose p. 134 Of cases of extremity and first what is to be done to a woman who in her Travel is accompanied with a flux of blood and with Convulsions p. 135 Of ordering the woman after she is delivered p. 148 What is to be done to the Breast Belly and lower parts of the woman in Child-bed p. 150 An Ointment p. 151 An Ointment to keep the Milk from clotting ibid. A Fomentation much commended ibid. Of the choice of a good Nurse p. 153 What is to be done in the extream parts of the Child p. 154 What is to be done to such Children as are troubled with Flegm p. 155 What is to be done to Children that have their Cods full of wind ibid. How to take away the Canker out of the Infants mouth 156 What is to be done to Children whose Intestines are fallen ibid. To make an ointment to strengthen the thighs and legs of a Child and to make him go p. 157 Of the relaxations of the Matrix and the cause ibid. Of a Disease that happens by reason of the fall of the Matrix p. 159. To remedy the fall of the Fundament in Infants p. 160 Of the Diseases of Women and first of the inflammation of the Breast ibid. Of Windy Tumours in the breasts p. 169 Of Swelling from Milk p. 164 Of the watry Tumour in the Breast p. 172 Of the Kernel in the Breast p. 174 Of the Scirrhus of the Breast p. 176 Of the Cancer in the Breasts p. 183 Of the greatness of the Breasts p. 186 Of the defect abundance and coagulation of the Milk 187 Of the Diseases of the neck of the Womb and first of the Disease called Tentigo p. 188 Of the narrowness of the neck of the Womb. p. 189 Of Wheals Condyloma's of the Womb and of Hemorrhoids p. 191 Of the Vulcers of the neck of the Womb. p. 194 Of the Womb being out of temper p. 200 Of the narrowness of the Vessels of the womb p. 203 Of the puffing up of the Womb. p. 204 Of the inflammation of the Womb. p. 206 Of the Scirrhus of the Womb. p. 209 Of the Dropsie of the Womb. p. 210 Of the falling of the Womb. p. 211 Of the ascent of the Matrix as also of the Wounds and Vlcers of the same p. 213 Of the pain of the Womb. p.
to be taken away as much as may be with the aforesaid means Mollyfying Fomentations are also proper for this purpose while the woman sits over the fumigation CHAP. XIII For those who have but a little blood THose Women that have but little blood ought not to lie in their beds as those who have a great deal They ought to take good nourishment in a little quantity As Eggs well boyld in the shell in a Morning The juyce of Mutton and Veal squeezed out and Mutton broth and all these being mingled together nourish very much and make very good blood as also Pigeons Partridge Mutton Quaile and such other meats good for the stomach CHAP. XIV What is to be done to the Infant THE Midwife having tied up the Navel-string as is before said she ought next to cleanse the Infant not only in the face but also over the whole body anointing the groins hips buttocks thighs and joynts with Oyl of sweet Almonds or fresh Butter this makes the skin more firm and shuts up the pores of the skin so that the exterior air cannot come to hurt it and besides this it strengthens all the parts of the body It would not be amiss to make a bath or decoction of Roses and Sage in Wine and with that to wash the Infant every morning After the Infant is thus well anointed and after that well dried and wrapped up you may give to the Infant a little Sack and Sugar in a spoon or else the quantity of a Pease bigness of Mithridate or Treacle dissolved in Wine with a little Carduus-Water CHAP. XV. How to Govern Women in Child-bed THere is great difference in the governing Women in Child-bed for she that thinks to order an ordinary labouring or Country-woman like a person of quality kills her and she that thinks to govern a person of quality like an ordinary Country-woman does the same to her For the Stomach and Constitution of the one is tender and weak and the Constitution and Stomach of the other strong and lusty which will not be satisfied with ordinary Viands For if you give to one of these strong Stomachs presently after their delivery any strong Broth or Eggs or a draught of Milk they are like Mills that always grind and empty as fast as they pour in and that that gives one Woman a fever keeps another from it and therefore Women in Child-bed are to be governed by their several Constitutions As for Women that are delicate and have been accustomed to live delicately greater care must be taken of them giving them meats that breed good nourishment and do not clog the stomach forbearing also to give her those meats to which she has too great a dislike agreeing to her humour provided that the meat which she loves be not hurtful and giving her for the first eight days of her lying in boyled meats rather than rosted as gellies c. the juice of Veal or Capon but not Mutton it being too feverish giving her to drink Barly-water or else water boyled wherein is boyled a dram of Cinnamon to every pint and two ounces of Sugar dissolved or if she do not love Sugar Coriander-seed water if she drink wine let it be two thirds of water to one third of wine giving her in the morning white-wine and in the afternoon Claret taking care of eating any thing that may breed any crudities She may also take at the discretion of those about her Almond-milk now and then There are some women that cannot be kept from sleeping and others that cannot sleep at all It will not be amiss to give to those that cannot sleep French barley-water the way to make it well is to let it boyl well and to take the broth without straining it neither ought it to be taken after the eight days are past by reason that it nourishes exceedingly and does not a little obstruct the Liver CHAP. XVI Of the Bathings that a Woman is to use for the first eight days of her lying in TAke a good handful of old or new Chervil and boyl it in a sufficient quantity of water then taking it from the fire add to it a spoonful of Honey of Roses this draws down the Purgations cleanses and heals the part The herb it self may serve for a fomentation to take away any inflammation There are some that use milk to the purpose aforesaid affirming that it is a great asswager of the pain but that having been proved by others hath been observed rather to engender filth than to be any way a clearer by reason that the sharp humour causeth it to curdle CHAP. XVII How a Midwife ought to govern her self in case a Woman be to be Delivered of two Children TAE Travel of a Woman bringing forth two Infants is more tedious and it many times happens that one of the Children comes forth very well and the other comes forth very hardly and this is certain that that which comes forth first is always the strongest having the power to go before the other and to break the membranes that enveloped it And oft-times while the first is born the other remains behind wrapt in such membranes as the former was so that it remains a good space behind the other sometimes two hours and yet it hath been very well born Now knowing that that which came first was the strongest it would not be amiss to assist the other in coming forth by breaking the Membranes that contain the waters and if that fail by giving strong Clysters to excite the pain which were it not many times done the Child would never be able to endure the pain of coming into the World by reason of its extraordinary weakness which is so great sometimes that the bone of the Forehead is divided and separated down to the nose although the Infant being born it joyns together again and the Infant does very well Which if it happen you must have a great care to bind some kind of soft pillow upon the place that the air may not enter in If the second Child come forth ill you must not delay to break the Membranes and to draw the Infant gently out by the feet For having used all its endeavours to come forth to keep it there or to prolong the Travel any longer is more dangerous than profitable sometimes two come so suddenly the one after the other that there seems to be but one Delivery of both there being but a little Membrane that separates them In this case holding the first you must cut the Navel-string and bind it about and tye it about the Hip while they draw forth the other Infant which by a longer stay would be much weakned CHAP. XVIII Of the danger that a Woman hath to purge her self for the first days of her Lying in IT is an ordinary thing for Women that lye in by reason of their bed to lose the benefit of their bellies which hinders the evacuation of their Milk which causes Fevers by
sending gross vapours to the head yet can they not be freed by any Purgation taken in at the mouth but it would be much to the purpose to take pertinent Clysters which hinder the foresaid evils causing their breasts to become full and to become stiff taking them as occasion requires once in two or three days There are some unskilful women that not understanding the ill consequences which may follow do give Sena to Women in the first days of their lying in of which some have been very ill and others have died For Nature being now weakned by the Travel and while it is labouring to restore the body to its former Estate is not to be disturbed with violent Purgations And therefore Clysters are always most proper Neither are laxative broths nor the broth of prunes nor baked apples fasting for these do engender wind but rather some good Suppositories would be more useful CHAP. XIX Of the second washing for Women THE second washing for Women ought to be with Province Roses put into little bags and boiled in water and wine of each a like proportion and this is to be done for the second eight days CHAP. XX. What is to be done to Infants as soon as they are born IT is an approved Maxim that as soon as a Child is born you ought to give it a spoonful of pure wine for that assists and helps the Child to regain its spirits Another advantage is this that the wine cuts the flegm which the Child has in its throat besides the spirit of the wine rising up to the head comforts and strengthens it and it hinders also from the Epilepsie which proceeds from the debility of the brain This being done and the Mother fully delivered you must tye the Navel-vein with a silk well twisted and many times doubled and if there be any blood in the vein you must be sure to empty it for fear if it should be left it should turn into corruption then it must be well dried with powder of rotten wood You must tye it two fingers breadth from the belly and leave it long three fingers breadths above the tying place and if it be fat you must close it over and above that the vein may be well closed then wind the string twice about it knitting as many knots But if the Child be come afore its time you need not tye it so strong for fear of cutting it with the silk but if the Navel-vein be full of water and wind you ought then having tied it one time and wrapt a linnen cloth about the end of it which is still to be held upward to uncover it again about half an hour after and then to tye it and wrap it about again still keeping the end up for fear that if the vein were not fully closed there might be some danger in the bleeding Some people give to the Infant Treacle dissolved in Wine but this must be done warily in a very small quantity and that not commonly neither The Infant must be washed with water and wine luke-warm to cleanse it afterwards wash the face as also chafe the throat the arms and hands with Oyl of Walnuts drawn without fire which some say will keep them from Sun-burning then put one hand upon the bone of the Fore-head and another upon the bone called the Coronal bone and softly close up the gap which was made during the time of travel closing also the Sutures one against another exactly then gently put your finger under the tongue to see if the Infant have the string or no and if it have it may be clipt away with the point of a pair of sharp Cizzers without danger There are some that think they can shape the head and nose of a Child as if it were of Wax But let such take notice that have flat nosed Children rather to let the nose alone than by squeezing and closing it too much to render the nose obstructed for that compressing the Gristles of the nose renders the Child liable either to speak alway in the nose or to lose his smelling There are some Children that are born with their noses awry for the help of which you may with your finger moistned in fair water gently stroke the nose but lay no stress upon it That happens by reason that the nose of the Child lights upon some bone of the Mother as it was coming into the World CHAP. XXI Of the last washing for Women THE last washing for Women is to be for four days with Province Roses boyled in Wine and Myrrh-water CHAP. XXII Of an Astringent for Women when they shall have occasion TAke Galls Cypress-nuts and Pomgranate-flowers Roch-Allome of each two ounces Province Roses four ounces Knot-grass a good handful the rind of Cassia the rind of Pomegranates Scarlet berries of each three ounces the nature or Sperm of a Whale one ounce Rose-water Myrrh-water and Burnet-water of each an ounce and a half Wine and water of a Smiths forge of each four ounces and a half then make two little bags about a quarter of a Yard long and half a quarter of a Yard broad then boil all these in the foresaid water in a new Pot using the bags one after another as occasion serveth CHAP. XXIII To make Cere-cloaths for Women TAke white Wax half a pound the sperm of a Whale and Venice-Turpentine well washed in Rose-water and Plaintain-water of each an ounce and a half then melt all these together then mingle with them an ounce of Venice white Lead then order your Cloath as you please making some for the Belly and some for the nipples having first rubbed it over with Oyl of Acorns or the sperm of a Whale CHAP. XXIV To cleanse a Woman before she rises TAke bitter Almonds and peel them make thereof a Paste with the Powder of Orris and the yolk of Eggs and put it in a little bag of Tammy and temper within the bag with black Wine luke-warm and afterwards use it upon the places where the sear-cloaths had been laid then wash the places with black Wine mingled with Orange flower CHAP. XXV How a Woman lying in of her first Child may avoid the gripings of her belly THere are some women lying in of their first Child who are troubled much with gripings in the belly and these Women commonly endure Pains when their Terms come down by reason of the smalness of the Veins which conveigh the blood into the Matrix such women have Gripings in their bellies when they lie in of their first Child which other women are not troubled with by reason that they have larger Vessels yet although they have them not in their first lying in it would not be amiss to use some proper remedies that so they may be never troubled with them which if they receive not at their first lying in they will be uncapable of receiving them ever after for though they may take remedies afterwards to lessen the pain yet they can
draw it forth as quick as may be The second form of unnatural Birth is very dangerous and therefore requires the greater care of the Midwife First therefore let her well anoint the Womb of the Woman that the passage may be more slippery which being done let her take hold of the hands of one of the Infants and keeping them close to the sides direct the head to the orifice of the Womb that being born let her proceed in the same manner toward the other If she cannot come to take hold of either of the Infants Arms she must bring the Woman again to her Bed and try by the aforesaid Agitation of her body if the Infants may be brought to a more convenient form of delivery CHAP. XXIX Of ordering the Woman after she is delivered IN the first place she must keep a temperate diet having a great care not to over fill her self after so great an evacuation and indeed her diet must be like that of wounded persons neither are the tales of nurses to be believed who exhort them to fill after so great an emptiness telling them that the loss of blood must be restored for these are meer Fooleries for as for that blood which she hath lost it is but unnecessary blood such as is usually kept for the space of nine months which to void is much conducing to her Health Besides their nourishment for the first days must be but slender for fear of falling into a Fever besides the abundance of milk which it would bring into the breast where it might be in danger of curding or Apostematizing and therefore for the first five days let her use Broths Panada's potched Eggs Gellies abstaining from Flesh or French Barley In the morning Broth will be expedient at dinner Broth or Eggs or Panada and at supper the same with some Gellies for the second course If she intend to nurse her Child she may feed more plentifully and drink some Barlâ— water wherein some Corianders or Fennel◠〈…〉 be put In Italy the persons of 〈…〉 account do use this water Take two 〈…〉 the Feathers being well pulled off 〈…〉 â—he bowels wholly taken out which you led off boyl in a glaz'd earthen pot in a sufficient quantity of water till they be half boyled then must they be taken out of the pot together with the Broth and being cut to peices are to be put into a Lembick in manner following Take Bugloss Borage and Time two good handfuls and with that cover the bottom of the shell then lay upon that a row of flesh then upon that a rank of leaf-Gold with a dram of powder of Pearls and upon that pour the broth let all this be distilled in Balneo Mariae drawing forth a pint at a time which you shall re-iterate as often as you have any thing left to give to the Woman in Child-bed for the space of ten or twelve days This water must be drawn six weeks or two months before it be used if the Woman be not troubled with a Fever let her drink a little white Wine or Claret with twice as much hot Water If she have a mind to drink between Meals or at night it may be convenient to give her some syrup of Maiden-hair or any other Syrup that is not astringent with a little boyled water After the suspition of a Fever or heat of her breasts is over she may be nourished more plentifully and you may give her together with her Broth some other meat as Pullet Capon Pidgeon Mutton or Veal boyled After the eight day is past at what time the Womb is well purged and discharged it will be expedient to give her good meat in greater quantity that she may be enabled to gain strength during all this time she must rest very quiet and be 〈◊〉 from all manner of disturbance she must sleep as 〈…〉 the day time as may be If she go not well to stool 〈…〉 some such kind of Clyster as this Take of Mallows 〈…〉 mallows and Pellitory of the wall each one handful 〈…〉 â—f Camomile and Melliot of each a small handful A◠〈…〉 and Fennel-seeds of each two ounces boyl these in 〈…〉 â—â—coction of a Weathers-head take of this three quarters of a pint and dissolve in them of course Sugar and common Hony of each two ounces new fresh butter three ounces of this make a Clyster and if occasion serve add to this an ounce of Catholicon What is to be done to the Breast Belly and lower parts of the Woman in Child-bed IN the first place you may lay the skin of a Hare or Sheep for the space of four or five hours which being taken away you may then anoint it with this following Oyntment and then lay a linnen Towel all over her belly and hips which must be continued on for the first seven days looking after it and turning every Morning The Oyntment may be this Take the Oyl of sweet-Almonds Camomile and St. John's wort each one ounce and a half Sperma ceti two Ounces Goats fat one Ounce Oyl of Miriles half an Ounce melt all these and make an Oyntment to anoint the Belly Now before the Cerecloth be put on you must apply a little Plaister of Galbanum about the bigness of 2 or 3 fingers to the Navel in the middle of which may be put two or three grains of Civet yet so as that the Woman may not perceive the sent of it The Cerecloth may be this Take White Wax four ounces Pomatum without Musk Calfs-grease of each one ounce Sperma ceti an ounce and a half Oyl of St. John's wort and Sweet Almonds of each one ounce Venice-Turpentine washed in pellitory-Pellitory-water half an ounce melt these in Balneo Mariae and spread them upon a cloath about the bigness of the belly and when it is cool apply it The next care is to be had of the Breasts upon these some put round Cerecloth made thus Take six ounces of new Wax Oyl of Myrtle Roses and Honey of Narbon of each two ounces melt these altogether and make a Cerecloth let them have holes in the middle for the Nipples to go through This Oyntment is also very good to keep the Milk from clotting Take Oyntment of Populeon one ounce Galen's refrigerating Oyntment half an ounce Oyl of Roses six drams Vinegar a small quantity melt them together and make an Oyntment This fomentation is also much commended Take Fennel Parsly Mallows Marsh-mallows of each a small handful Laurel and Camomile-flowers of each half a handful boyl these according to Art and make a Fomentation for the Nipples After this Fomentation anoint them with Oleum Rosatum Omphacium and then apply this following Plaister Take Venice-Turpentine four ounces well washed in strong wine and Rose-water adding to it two whole Eggs and a scruple of Saffron with as much wax as is sufficient spread this upon a linnen cloath and apply it As for the lower parts for the three first days they are to
handful of Chervil bruised a little and boyled in a sufficient quantity of water about a dozen seethings to which you must add a spoonful of Vinegar when you have strained it you must put to it an ounce of Honey of Roses then you must have a little hooked stick with a little piece of Scarlet tied at the end then putting the water in a Sawcer dip the end of the stick where the Scarlet is tied and then rub the place affected gently and you shall find the Canker 〈◊〉 aâ—swage by little and little What is to be done to Children whose Intestines are falleâ— THERE are a great many Infants whose great gut falls which is a thing very easily remedied at the beginning and therefore you must put it up again First lay the Child with the Head lowermost then you must have a thick Cushion soaked in Smiths Water then you must have an emplaister made of the Roots of great Comfrey scraped and put upon it as an Ointment then looking to it every day taking care that it cry but little and never unbind him but as he lyes lest the Gut tumble down again and so the Cure be delayed as the Child grows big the Hole lessens and the Intestine grows big This is an experienced way To make an Oyntment to strengthen the Thighs and legs of the Child and make him go TAKE Sage Marjoram Dwarf-Elder bruise them a good while together 'till you have beaten out a good deal of Juyce then put it into a Glass Vial 'till it be full and stop up the Hole with paste and round the sides also of the said Paste put it then in an Oven to bake as long as a good big Loaf then draw it forth and suffer it to cool then break the Paste which is round the Vial break the Bottle and keep up that which is within which you shall find turned to an Oyntment And when you would use it you must add to it some of the Marrow of the Hoof of an Ox melting it altogether and when ye have so done you must rub the hinder part of the legs and thighs of the Child This hath been done to a Child whom a famous Physician after 3 Years having in hand gave over saying that it would never go Of the relaxations of the Matrix and the cause THere are many causes of the relaxation of the Matrix the one proceeding from great Fluxes which fall down upon the ligaments thereof causing them to wax loose Others come to this Disease by some falls others by reason of carrying in their womb too great Burdens others by straining themselves in travail before their time and because the Orifice of the Womb is not open sometimes and very often by reason of the Midwifes who putting up their Hands into the Womb tear down they know not what which is oftentimes a part of the Matrix to the bottom of which the Secondines adhere drawing down part of the womb which they take to be the Secondines which is oftentimes brought also to a worse condition when the unskilful Women force her to the Remedies for bringing down the Secondines as holding Bay salt in her Hand streining to Vomit and the like For remedy whereof all these telaxations of the Matrix are by the same Remedies except those which are occasion'd by strong Fluxes for in this case other Remedies are not sufficient being that you are to take away the cause of those defluxions before you can proceed to the Cure of the relaxation Among the rest I will relate one that hath been found very profitable and experienced which is this astringent Take Gall-nuts Cypress nuts and Pomgranate Flowers Roche-Alum of each two Ounces Province Roses four ounces Knot-grass a good big handful the Rind of Cassia the Rind of Pomegranates Scarlet Grains of each three Ounces the nature of a Whale one ounce Mirrh-water Rose-water and Sloe-water an ounce and a half thick Wine and Smiths-water of each four ounces and a half then make two little bags of a quarter of a Yard long causing them to boil in the aforesaid waters in a new pot using one after another as you have occasion letting it lie upon the Bone of the Pubes passing in between the Hips chafing her often and holding her Head and her Reins low using in the Morning sometimes a little Mastick in an Egg or sometimes Plantain Seed If the Disease be not too old it may be cured by this means but if it be of a long standing you must make a pessary half round and half Oval of great thick Cork pierced through in the middle tye a little Pack-thred to the end then cover it over with white Wax that it may do no hurt and to make it more thick this must be dipped in Oyl of Olives to make it enter and it must be straight that it may not easily fall out and if it be too little to have another bigger and when the Woman goes to do her necessary occasions she must hold it in lest she should force it out the Hole is made that the Vapours of the womb may have a vent and to give way for her purgations to flow neither must it be taken away 'till after the Purgations are passed the thickness causes the Matrix to mount up as long as it is very thick for the Ligaments being close do then retire If they be Women that bear Children the Midwife ought not to suffer them to force themselves but as Nature constrains her having her own hand ready after the throw to put back the Matrix with her finger and when she is brought to bed lay her low with her head and with her reins raising her up with pillows put under her hips and for Women that are troubled with this Disease they ought not to lace themselves over hard for that thrâ—sts down the Matrix and makes the Woman pouch bellied and hinders the Infant from being well situated in her Body causing her to carry the Child all upon her Hips and makes her Belly as deformed as her Waste is handsome Of a disease that happens by reason of the fall of the Matrix THere is sometimes a relaxation of the Membrane that covers the rectum Intestinum when the head of the Child at the begining of the Travel falls downward and draws it low oftentimes it comes by reason of Women with Child lacing themselves which causes such a conflux of wind to these parts that it seems to the Woman to be the head of the Child insomuch that she is hardly able to stand upright neither can she go For remedy hereof you must keep the woman soluble giving her Anise and Coriander seeds to dissipate the winds You must take Sage Agrimony Motherworth Balm white Wormwood Margerom a little Rue and a little Thyme and Camomile and having picked all the above written Herbs you must cut them very small and having well mingled them put them into a maple platter and then put hot Cinders
Senna the decoction of Dodder of Time also the decoctions of Cassia Tamarinds and the like with the purging Syrup of Apples These Humours being tough require frequent purging but the Purges must not be strong After evacuations you must endeavour revulsion to contrary parts by Frictions Cupping Issues and the like for obstructions of the Hemorrhoid Leeches may be applyed and in a suppression of the Courses a Vein may be opened in the Leg or Arm. The third intention is performed in treating the Humour it self in doing which these directions are to be followed First you must not use repeâ—â—ents for cold and tough Humours whereof these Swellings consist cannot return back as hot humours but do increase thereby In the next place you ought to be cautious in the use of Emollients alone for thereby they are frequently exasperated and end in Cancers You ought also to forbear the use of strong Discutients lest thereby you resolve the serous thin humours and convert the thicker part into a more solid substance therefore you are to consider well the habit of the body and whether the Scirrhus be old or new As to the habit of the Body young People and such as live effeminately must be treated with milder resolvents than those who live a laborious life So also a new Scirrhus whilst it is increasing requires milder applications than the confirmed and inveterate one the milder resolvents are fresh Butter Hens-grease oyl of sweet Almonds and Lillies Ducks and Goose-grease the Suet of a Calf a Goat Cow old Lard the roots of Marsh-mallows Lillies and the like the stronger are the roots of wild Cucumber Briony Solamons seal Orris Ship-pitch Liquid-pitch Turpentine Galbanum Ammoniacum Bdellium Opoponax and the like Vinegar by reason of its penetrative quality is properly mixed with other Medicines to dissolve thick humours For Fomentations use the following Take of the roots of Marsh-mallows and Lillies each four ounces of the roots of wild Cucumber two ounces of the tops of Hemlock two handfuls of the tops of Marjoram one handful of the flowers of Melilot and Elder each one Pugil of the seeds of Flax Fenugreek and Marsh-mallows each one ounce boyl them in a sufficient quantity of Fountain-water to the strained liquor add a little Vinegar In soft Bodies when the Scirrhous is new Take of the roots of Marsh-mallows half a pound of the roots of Lillies three ounces of the seeds of Flax and Fenugreek each one ounce boyl them in Broth made of the feet and head of a Sheep then beat them and pulp them thro' a Sive and add to them of the oyl of Camomile and Lillies each two ounces of Oesypus one ounce and an half of simple Diachylon Plaister dissolved in oyl of Lillies three ounces with a sufficient quantity of white wax make a Cerate In dry bodies where the Scirrhous is more confirmed a fume of Vinegar or of Spirit of Wine sprinkled upon a hot stone are of excellent use for resolving these tumours afterwards you must chafe the part and apply the following Take of Galbanum Ammoniacum and Bdellium dissolved in Vinegar and of liquid Storax each one ounce of great Diachylon two ounces of oyl of Lillies and Goose grease each one ounce of the cerate of Oesypus two ounces melt them all together and with white wax make a soft Cerate If by the use of these Medicines the Scirrhus tend to suppuration it must be treated accordingly but be careful you be not deceived and the suppuration prove false and end in a Cancer A Gentlewoman of a full body having been long diseased by an immoderate flux of the Courses and subject to a Cough and shortness of breath and the like at length recovered her Health by the prescriptions of her Physician and enjoyed it the space of a year but was afterwards seiz'd with a straitness and pain in her right Breast which encreased much with inflamation At first sight it seemed to be a confirmed Cancer fixed to the ribs but upon more mature deliberation and handling of it the Surgeon found the Disease was in the skin and that the Glands and Musculous flesh underneath were not hard or otherwise affected than as they were bound in by the intense hardness of the skin which kept them immoveable from that uneasiness an Erisypelas was raised which overspread the skin of the Breast and parts about with great heat The Surgeon supposed the hardness proceeded from a concretion of the nutritious juices he applied over the parts affected Galen's Cerate to repress the heat and supplied her with Medicines to dress her self that she might according to her desire return to her house in the Country where she was let blood and purged with Manna and Cream of Tartar dissolved in Whey and she was afterwards purged with Epsom waters But after all growing more indisposed she returned to London at which time her Breast was inflamed and excoriated and several hard Tubercles were upon the skin that gleeted much the Scirrhus was also spread up that side of the neck by the Mastoide Muscle to the bone of the shoulder and Scapula and so under that arm-pit and down that side some of the excoriations were dressed with Vigo's Oyntment of Tutty and others with Pledgets dipt in this following Lotion Take of Frog spawn-water one pint of the seeds of Quinces two drams of the seeds of Plantain one drâ—m infuse them hot twenty four hours to the strained liquor add of the white Troches of Rhasis powdered one dram of Sugar of Saturn half a Scruple Over all was applied some of the following Cerate Take of the Muscilage of the seeds of Quinces and Fleabane extracted in night-shade-Night-shade-water each four ounces Unguentum-nutritum three ounces Populeon Oyntment six ounces with a sufficient quantity of white wax make a Cerate Thus the Inflamation remitted and the Excoriations were heal'd in some places and checkt in others Many inward Remedies were also prescribed viz. Emulsions Cordials and the like according to the accidents which hapened but the Scirrhus still spreading over-ran the other Breast and side of the neck and in a few weeks made her neck stiff and immoveable and by reason of the compression which was made in the arm-pit and about the shoulder there was a stagnation of the humours and the arm swell'd to the fingers ends The arm was fomented with a decoction of the leaves and roots of Marsh mallows of the leaves of Violets Plantain Night-shade Willow Ducks-meat of the flowers of Camomile and Melilot of the seeds of Flax and Fenugreek and Embrocations Cerates Emollients and Resolvents were used to succour the parts but all this while she was afflicted either with the Collick a Looseness or Vomiting Mercurius dulcis was also used inwardly to carry off the matter and Mercurial Oyntments outwardly and the Surgeon would have Salivated her if she would have permitted The Scirrhus seized on both sides of her neck her shoulders arms breasts and sides and began to invade the skin of her
the Head with which is joined a hollowness in the forepart of the Head and in the Eyes it may arise from the milk if the Nurse be subject to drink overmuch strong drink in the Cure you must beware of applying things which are too refrigerating They are also many times affected with a kind of Epilepsie which proceeds sometimes from extraordinary frights from Milk that lies corrupted in the stomach and sometimes from Worms moving themselves in the guts and sometimes it is the consequent of other Diseases The Cure is to be observed partly in the Fit and partly after the Fit The Smaragd-stone and the Hoof of a wild Elk put into the left Ear are very profitable and take good effect vomiting also and this Emplaister of white Amber Frankincense and Mastick of each a dram and a half Galbanum Opopanax of each a scruple Misleto of an Oak two drams Ambergreece six grains Musk three grains seed of Male Peonie half a dram Labdanum one dram and a half a little Oil of Nutmeg and sprinkled with the dust of Cubebs the forepart of the head may be also anointed with Oil of white Amber Fears and starting in the Child's sleep are occasioned from the putrid Vapours which are carried up with the animal Spirits and arise from the Stomach therefore they happen to Infants that suck greedily In the Cure care must be taken that the Child do not fill it self too unreasonably and provide that good and sound Milk may be generated and that the Children be not put to sleep upon a full stomach The stomach of the Child anointed near the orifice with Oil of Quinces and Mastick and Oil of Nutmegs Before sleep dissolve a little roll of Diamosch in Milk and give the Child unless the Child be over-much troubled with heat you may give it a little Treacle once in a week over-much watching or weakness is occasioned by sharp Vapours which arise out of the stomach by reason of the badness of the Milk sometimes it is occasioned by Feavers and pain of some peculiar parts there is nothing better than to anoint the soles of the Childs feet with Marrow which hath no danger in it rather than to give the Child stronger Opiates A looking asquint in new born Children is cured by putting a Candle opposite to the place where the Child casts its Eyes Moistness of the Ears by reason of the moistness of the Head gathers quantity of humours together The Cure of this must not be over-hasty yet the Urine of Children distilled and dropt into the Ear is a very approved Remedy Bigness and swelling of the Head in little Children SOmetimes in Children that are newly born the Head grows to an extraordinary bigness which come to pass either by reason of abundance of water contained in the same which water is contained either between the skin and the Pericraneum or between the bone and the Pericranium or between the bone and the Membranes called the Dura Mater and the Pia Mater Or by reason of abundance of Vapours gathered together between the bones and the skin of the head which cause the head to grow to such an extraordinary bigness that it causes oftentimes the death of the Child If water be gathered together between the bone of the head and the Membranes of the Brain it causes a giddiness and Epilepsy to the Infant without being able to take any rest For the Cure of the windy affection you may use fomentations in case the wind be contained only between the skin and the Pericranium for which purpose you may take of the leaves of Sage Betony Agrimony sweet smelling flag and wild Margerom of each a handful Aniseed and Fennel seed of each two drams Camomile flowers Melilot and red Roses of each one handful boil all these in common water adding to it a little Wine and thereof make a Fomentation for the part affected which may be assisted with a plaister made of Oil of Aniseeds and bitter Almonds of each one Ounce Oil of Camomile an Ounce and a half Laurel and Juniper Berries of each two drams Aniseeds and Fennel-seeds of each one dram and a half of the best Wine a pint boyl them to the consumption of the Wine adding to the rest half an ounce of Venice Turpentine and as much Wax as is sufficient As for the watry distemper though it be difficult to Cure yet you must try this Fomentation to digest this Humour Take Wormwood Betony creeping Time Pennyroyal leaves of each a handful red Rose leaves and leaves of Stoechas a little handful Cypress Nuts Orange-flowers and Florentine Orrice of each two drams boil them all in a Lye made of Vine-twigs and stalks after which you may use this Plaister Take the powder of Bettony Sage and Wormwood of each two drams Oil of Camomile and Roses of each two Ounces Unguenti Comitissae one ounce as much Wax as is sufficient But if these Remedies profit nothing the only means left is to open the Head Of the Diseases of the Eyes Ears and Noses in Children MANY times Children are troubled with a light inflamation in their Eyes with a certain gum and thickness which hinders them from opening the eye-lid The most present remedies are either for the Nurse to wash the Eyes with a little of her Breast milk or else with a little Plantain and Rose-water mixt together Sometimes the Nostrils are so stopt that they are not able to draw their Breath but with much pain For the Cure of which the Nurse must moisten a linnen Cloath in a little Ointment of Roses or a little very good Pomatum 'till the hard matter within be dissolved Many times there flows a moist humor from their heads which happens to those who have moist brains in the cure of this it must be the care of the Nurse to cleanse the ears both within and without afterwards let her drop into them a little oyl of bitter Almonds and Honey of Roses mixt together Of certain Ulcers in Childrens mouths THere do many times grow a certain kind of Ulcers in Childrens mouths For the cure of which the Nurse in the first place must use a good and sound diet then must the Ulcers themselves be rub'd with a little Honey of Roses and syrup of Violets with a drop or two of plantain-Plantain-water or you may wash them with half an ounce of rose-Rose-water or plantain-Plantain-water in which put half a dram of Vitriol if they be very red and inflamed take Brambles flowers of Pomgranates Roses Sanders of each two drams Allum half a dram boyl them in water afterwards strain them to the quantity of three ounces in which dissolve half an ounce of syrup of Mulberries If they be white take Amber Frankincense-wood Cypress-Nuts Pomegranate flowers of each two drams flowers of Roses and Myrtles of each half a handful boyl them in water to the consumption of four ounces wherein dissolve an ounce and a half of Honey of Roses Of certain other Tumours called
begin until the time that they end let her use two as is before said Let her withal take this following Clyster two or three days before her purgations Take Feverfew one handful Penny-royal Calamint and Savine of each half a handful seed of Juniper one ounce flowers of Melilot and tops of Dill of each one handful make a decoction of nine ounces of water add thereto oil of Lillies four ounces two whites of eggs and one dram of common salt Lastly one day before her monthly purgations let her take three Pills of those which are called Pillulae Rufi then after she is clean from her Purgations let her lye with her Husband For the same AN Injection Take Cypress one ounce Myrrh half an ounce Pulp of Colocynth one dram Bdellium one scruple water a pint boil them altogether to the consumption of the third part then strein them make an injection of four ounces of the streined liquor into the Womb three days before the Bath and let the Patient keep it as long as she can A Fumigation Take juyce of Bistort Schoenanth Cypress nuts red Storax and Mastick one ounce Hares-dung mix them and pound them well together and make a Fumigation let the patient receive it sitting on a stool with a hole in it Then let her use this following Bath Take Basil Calamint Betony Melilot Roses each two handfuls Thyme Elder Germander Mugwort Savin Balm of each two handfuls Feverfew leaves of Laurel and Lavender each one handful bruise them together and when the water boyls throw them in when they have boiled sufficiently let her take the waters off and bath therein A Plaister Take of the mass of Emplaister of Mastick one ounce of Plaister for the Womb two ounces mingle them together and extend them upon a round piece of red cloth in the middle whereof put one Trochisch de galla Moschat and six grains of Amber-greece the last day of her bathing when she goes to bed let her apply that plaister to the region of her Matrix That Night after due concoction let her lye with her Husband To increase Lust and to help Conception TAKE of the juyce of the Herb Mercury and clarified Honey of each one ounce of meal of Nigella two ounces make thereof a mass and let the Patient take two or three every night An Opiat for the same TAKE Conserve of Eringo-roots and Satyrion each three ounces green Ginger condited Citron rind one ounce and a half sweet Almonds Pistaches Pine-Apples Filberds Chesnuts Dates the Pulp of Cocus's of each one ounce of the reins and loins of the beast called a Skink of the pizzle of a Bull of the stones of a Hare or Boar of each half an ounce seed of Parsnip Rockquet and Nettles each three drams white Pepper Galang and cinamon each half a dram all these things being well provided and beaten mix them together with Wine sweetned and boiled to a thickness and make an Opiate add thereto of the powder of Glow-worms killed in the steam of Vinegar one scruple For the same TAKE Pine-Apples new Filberds peel'd of each one ounce and a half brains of Cock-sparrows two drams new Satyrion rosted under the ashes in wet tow three drams Stones of a Ram roasted half an ounce Indian Nuts one dram pound them all with the broth of young Pigeons then mingle therewith six ounces of refined Sugar and boil it to a thickness and add thereto the following pouders Take seed of Bombax cleansed the best Cinamon each two scruples seed of Rocket Onions Nettles and Parsnips each half a dram the reins of Skinks Long Pepper Galang White Ginger of each two scruples shavings of the pizzle of a Hart four scruples make a Confection and take the quantity of a Walnut after the first sleep and two hours before you eat An application to be made upon the Privities presently after Delivery TAKE the whites of two Eggs and oil of St. John's wort of each one ounce and a half oil of Myrtles one ounce dip therein flat stoups of Hemp and apply them to the lips of the Privities do this three or four times a day but take heed that it touch not the neck of the Matrix because it hinders its purgation The next day foment these parts with this following Fomentation TAKE of Wine and water half a pint of Madder Rose-mary and St. John's-wort of each two little handfuls let them boil for a Fomentation which is to be applied hot with the Hempen stoups aforesaid This is to be done the second day The third day take wine a pint water half a pint Myrrh two drams Cinamon two drams and a half Allum two drams and a half of the stones of Grapes two drams the rind of Granates one dram flowers of red Roses one little handful and a half make of this a decoction to foment the Womb until the ninth day twice a day Take oil of St. John's wort one ounce and a half Sperma Coeti three drams with a little wax make of this an ointment to use at the beginning with the aforesaid Fomentation to the lips of the Privities When you have taken away the sheeps-skin as is before said you may not only do as is there set down but also use this following method First take Sperma Coeti two ounces oil of sweet Almonds Camomile and St. John's wort of each an ounce and a half Goats suet one ounce oil of Myrtles half an ounce Saffron half a scruple with this ointment being lukewarm let the belly be well anointed once every day then lay over the whole belly this following Cerecloth Take of new wax four ounces Sperma Coeti one ounce and a half Turpentine washt in Rosewater two ounces and a half oil of Almonds and St. John's-wort of each one ounce Saffron half a scruple Let them melt and boyl together when all the ingredients are well mixed take them from the fire and put into it the hempen cloth and when it is cool make it smooth and apply it let it be bound on with swathes and do this for eight or nine days together The Woman being thus duly and rightly purged and being free from any Fever or other bad symptoms she may make use of these following Baths She shall go into the Bath three mornings together the first being luke-warm staying therein but a very little The second a little hotter with something longer continuance therein But in the third let her stay as long as she can The Bath in Summer TAKE a very clean Tub wherein wine hath for sometime been put therein a quantity of the best Wine and fill it with River-water and the second day after you have filled it put therein Marjoram Mug-wort Agrimony Penny-royal of each two handfuls then let them boil and as they boil now and then quench a hot piece of Iron therein then add flowers of red Roses two ounces and a half Camomile Dill and Melilot of each one ounce and a half strein them all and
Woman almost dead her eyes open and fixed her nose shrunk in her breath smelling like a Charnel-house and she took nothing down into her stomach that she did not instantly vomit up again she had drunk up above two pints of water in an hour and by her bed there was a whole sea of those things that she had vomited up They gave her cold water and the yolk of an Egg sometimes though it came up again at the same instant She felt no pain of the Infant but finding her Womb was open and her waters beginning to come down I found that she had been in Travail only Nature was oppressed and had not had any good assistance so that the Infant was retired back again which stifled the Mother and provoked her vomiting Upon which I gave my advice and though I thought my self come a little too late yet I resolved to do what lay in the power of my Art and therefore I resolved to give her a good strong Clyster to awaken Nature and to bring the Infant lower which did according to our hopes afterwards to drink a small quantity of Rhubarb-water which stayed with her a little after I gave her the Yolk of an Egg which stayed with her also causing her to drink nothing but Rhubarb-water and at every hour's end I gave her the Yolk of an Egg which did also stay with her by this time Nature began to strengthen it self and the pains of the Infant came again and in less than two hours after the Clyster and other nourishment given when I saw her pretty well and that Nature strove to expel the Infant I gave her half a dram of Confection of Alkermes in a little Wine and a little while after I caused her to take another Clyster into which I put a little Hiera and a little Benedictum which finished the work for she was then delivered of a very lusty Child which lived about two days I came thither about noon and she was brought to bed before nine at night I wrote this thus particularly to let you know that oft-times for want of knowing where the mischief lies the Remedies are misapplied and indeed a Woman Travailling in the ninth Month ought chiefly to be succoured with Clysters Of a Woman here in Town that bare her Children eleven months and could not be Delivered BEing called to a Woman in this Town that thought her self three months and a half gone which is one of the Terms of time wherein commonly the Moles and False-births are delivered having then some loss of blood and pain I was sent for and judged it to have been some imperfect Conception and therefore I used all means to assist her yet could she not expel it for all these long pains Whereupon finding some strange apprehensions in her I wondered for in all the time of my Practice I never knew such a thing as that dangerous in my life But I afterwards found this apprehension to come from a certain accident that had happened to a Sister of hers who being with Child carried it very well to the end of the ninth month at the end of which she began to be in pain as if she would have cried out the pains were great and long which they were not at all astonished at by reason that it was her first Child yet were not these pains accompanied with any signs of Labour as the opening the exterior orifice of the Womb And they continued thus for the space of two days and two nights Many medicines were used to facilitate the birth but to no purpose and now she felt not the Child stir any more And now it was concluded that she had mistaken her time and now being at rest for four or five days and growing weary of the City she went into the Country and being returned without taking notice that she had received any harm she was taken with the same pains as before which continued a day and a night and then ceased as before This was adjudged to be certain pains of the Colick after this she endured one month longer in her former estate which was now the eleventh month compleat at the end of which she felt some little pain like throws which presently affected her heart upon which she was laid upon her bed and they brought her Wine but at the very instant she died without having any time to call for assistance Seeing her dead they perceived upon the right side of her belly a very black mark about the breadth of a Dollar being opened they found the Child all putrified Hence we must observe that in Women that are big with Child who have frequent pain and nothing coming forth the Matrix that should open rather shuting it self closer whether it be at the time or no you must make for them clysters that expel wind which are to be reiterated as occasion requires which Rule if it had been observed in this Woman she nor the Fruit of her Womb had not perished in that manner Of the common opinion that a Woman seven months gone ought to walk very much and of the Accidents that happen thereby IT is a common error among Midwives which is not to be passed by that a Woman with Child when she hath gone seven Months of her time is to walk much Upon a conceit that exercise is very proper for her for that they say doth loosen the Child from the reins and facilitates the Birth I confess as to facilitating of the Birth it may something avail only I must add this also that it is better to draw away the Child than to break it and moreover it is better to be something longer in Travail than to incurr two or three evils which ordinarily happen the first is that the Child in the end of the seventh month doth make certain endeavours to free it self from the belly of the Mother and without doubt his first endeavour is to turn himself in the belly of the Mother for the Infant turns himself a good while before the time of Labour and therefore I say Exercise is very dangerous The first reason is because by pushing downward the belly is dilated and especially in such as carry their Children low and besides oft times the head drags down all the body of the Womb and loosens the ligaments in such a sort that after Delivery it can hardly be put into its place again Besides the Children having their heads between the bones of the Mother by much walking of the Mother they come to be bruised so that the Infants do many times dye and no man is able to give a cause why for the branches of veins which are for the nourishment of the brain open in an instant letting out the blood which is contained in them and when the corruption is ingendered there follows immediately Feavers and corruption of the Infant At other times Women coming to sit upon a hard seat do bruise the head of the Infant which causes like