thing that is filthy or contrary to nourishment nor let her sleep immediately after Meals and not at all in the day-time if she can avoid it the Night being preferable in such cases when she may sleep her fill so it exceed not 9 hours Her Exercise ought to be moderate for violent motion either in walking or otherwise loosens the Cylendons through which the Child receives its Nourishment riding in a Coach especially upon the Stones or in uneven way the last three Months is dangerous as also extraordinary Sounds Noises and above all the Ringing of the Bells and discharging the Guns Laughing Crying or immoderate Anger or any other Passion is extreamly hurtful nor in the first four Months after Conception ought she to lye with her Husband for as much as the Act of Copulation moves and shakes the Womb and consequently the Fruit therein causes the courses to descend She must likewise in the 6th and 8th Month abstain but in the 7th and 9th it is not forbidden but rather to be encouraged by reason as Physicians affirm it opens the passage and thereby facilitates the Birth and the better to help it the Woman ought to take such things as may keep her Body soluble as Syrups and other loosening matters as may help Nature in its operation especially let her observe when she grows any thing big to lay aside her busk and go loose that the Child may have free Scope for two Reasons First that it may not be hurt and secondly that being unrestrained it may come to its full growth CHAP. XIX Further Considerations how Women ought to govern themselves during Pregnancy T IS further to be observed that after delivery the Breasts frequently grow extream large and swell over much to prevent which and to avoid the danger of too much Blood which cause curdled or curdy Milk so that from the effects thereof divers Diseases arise in the Breast so soon as the Woman perceives her self with Child let her wear about the Neck a small Necklace of Gold or Steel or a small ingot of the latter to hang between her two Breasts somenting her Breasts a quarter of an hour every morning with Water distilled from Sage Perewinkle art ground-Ivy being blood-warm In her fourth month when the motion is great and her belly seells big she may swath it with a Swath-band anointed with Pomatum or the like to make which I shall give direction and in so doing she will keep it smooth and free from wrinkles as also from hanging down like a Trip after delivery Receipt Of the Gall of Kid and of a Sow of each 3 ounces of Capons grease and Goose grease of each one ounce and a half and having melted them put thereto a quarter of a pint of water after which strain them through a Linnen Cloath into fair water casting it to and fro therein till it be white at what time add to it the marrow of a red Deet one ounce and lay it in red rose-Rose-water 12 hours after the expiration of which you may use it in anointing the Swath as aforesaid as also the Belly If the Ingredients aforesaid cannot be gotten then the following Linnament is effectual though the former is better viz. Make of Mutton Suet adjoying to the Kidneys and of Dogs Grease each two ouces Whale Oyl an ounce and of sweet Almon Oyl the like quantity wash them well after they are melted together in the water of Germander or new White-wine and anoit the Belly therewith or the Swath band ordained to support it But for such as are not desirous to anoint their Bellies they may use the following Bath or Concoction Take of all the sorts of Mallows and of Motherwort each two handfuls Lilly-roots the white ones to the weight of 3 ounces Melilot and Chammomile of both two handfuls lime-Lime-seed quince-Quince-seed and Feen-greek seed 3 ounces proportionable of each concoct them in spring-Spring-water and bath therewith If the Woman during her pregnancy feels but little motion in her Womb let her make a quilt as followeth and bind it upon her Navel and it will greatly strengthen the Infant viz. Take the powder of Roses red Corral and Gillyflowers of each 3 ounces Mastick a dram and of Augelica seeds two drams two grains of Ambergrease and one of Musk all which being well beaten put them into a Linnen bag expanded and quilted that they may be in every part of it placing it upon the Navel CHAP. XX. Rules to he observed upon a Woman lying down and her delivery c. HAving thus far proceed in what as I highly conceived is necessary to be known by the Professors of this Art I shall Gradually proceed to what remains And first to inform the Reader what is necessary to be observed upon a Womans lying in order to her delivery The hour according to computation of time and the disposition of the Body approaching let the Woman send for a skillful Midwife not delaying so to do but rather too soon than too late at what time let her prepare a little Bed or Couch of a moderate height and so situate that it be far from the Door near the Fire and convenieut for the Midwife and her assistants to pass round and be aiding on every side as occasion requires having change of Linnen and a small Cricket or little Log of Timber to rest her feet against she having more force when they are bowed than otherwise Having thus provided when the Woman find her Pains come on if the weather he not extream cold let her walk leisurely about the Room resting her self by turns upon the Bed expecting so the coming down of her Water which is a Humour that is contracted in one of the outward Membranes and flows thence when it is broke by the strugling of the Child or some other accident there being no direct time affixed for its Efflux though for the most part it flows not above two hours before the Birth Motion likewise will cause the Womb to open and dilate it self when lying long in Bed will prove troublesome yet if she be much spent and weakened she may take some gentle Cordial to refresh her self if her pains will permit it If her Travel be tedious to revive her Spirits she may take any broath of Chikens or Mutton and after it a poached Egg but must not take any thing to excess As for the Postures Women are delivered in they are divers some laying in their beds others siting in a Chair supported and held by others or resting upon the side of the Bed or Chair some again upon the Knees being supported under their Arms but the safest and most commodious way is in the Bed when as the Midwife ought to observe these following Rules Let her see that the Woman be layed upon her Back her head a little elevated by the help of a Pillow having the like help to support her Reins and Buttocks and that her Rump lye high for if she lye low she
observe if both the heads come foremost by putting up her hands between them as high as she can and if she find they are Twins she must gently put one of them aside to make way for the other taking that first that is most advanced having regard to the other that she change not its situation Now to prevent the first Child 's being in danger of its Life the Midwife assoon as 't is come forth must tye the Navel-string as has been before directed and also bind it again with a large and long Fillet that part of the Navel that is fastened to the Secundines the more readily to find them The Second Infant born let her diligently it quire whether there be not two Secundines for by the shortness of the Ligament it often happens that it retires back to the damage of the Woman wherefore lest in such a case the Womb should close it is most expedient to hasten them forth with all convenient speed If two Infants are joyned together by the body as sometimes monstrously falls out then although the Heads comes foremost yet is it convenient if possible to turn them and draw them forth by the feet observing when they come to the Hips to draw them forth as swift as may be and in this case great care ought to be observed in anointing and widening the passage And thus much for Extremity or Unnatural-births and the next thing I shall proceed to is how to order the Woman after Natural or Unnatural Births or Delivery CHAP. XXII What ought to be observed after Delivery c. PResently after Delivery in case of a Natural Birth especially if the Woman has had hard labour it is convenient to wrap her in the Skin of a Sheep taken off before it is cold putting the fleshy side to her Reins and Belly or for want of this the Skin of a Hare or Coney being flayed off as soon as killed may be applied to her Belly and in so doing the dilatation made in the Birth will be closed up and the ill melancholy Blood expelled from those parts And these may be continued in Summer the space of an hour and in VVinter two after which let the Woman be swathed with a fine linnen Cloth about a quarter of a Yard in length chafing her Belly before with Oyl of St. Jahuswort after that raise up the Matrix with a linnen Cloath many times solded then with a little Pillow or Quilt cover her Flanks then use the Swath somewhat above the Hanches winding it pretty stiff applying at the same time a warm cloth to her Nipples not presently applying remedies to drive back the Milk by reason the body at such a time is disordered and as it were out of frame for there is neither Vein nor Artery which does not strongly impulse where such remedies as drive back the Milk being all of a dissolving Nature it is improper to apply them to the Breast during such confusion and disorder lest by so doing evil Humours be stayed or contracted into the Breast wherefore 12 hours ought to be the least space allowed for the Circulation and Settlement of the Blood and what was cast upon the Lungs by the vehement Agitation during the Labour to retire to its proper Recepticles A while after Delivery you make a restrictive of the Yolk of two Eggs a quarter of a pint of White-wine an ounce of Oyl of St. Johns-wort as much of the Oyl of Roses Plantain and rose-Rose-water of each one ounce bray them together fold a linnen cloath and dip it therein warm it before a gentle Fire and apply it to the Breast and the pains of those parts will be greatly eased Present sleep is not convenient but above four hours after Delivery she may take Broth Caudle or what other liquid matter is nourishing and afterward if she be disposed to sleep it may be safely permitted And this is as much in case of a Natural Birth as ought immediately to be done In case of Extremity or an unnatural Birth these Rules ought to be observed In the first place let the Woman keep a temperate Diet by no means overcharging her self after so demonstrate an Evacuation and to say true her Diet must be equal to that of wounded persons not being ruled or giving Credit to unskilful Nurses who admonish them to feed lusty the better to repair the loss of Blood for that Blood is not for the most part pure but such as has been detained in the Vessels or Membranes better avoided for the health of the Woman than kept unless there happen an extraordinary Flux of Blood for if her nourishment be over great it will indanger her falling into a Feaver nay more it will increase the Milk to superfluity which Curdling often times turns to Apostumes wherefore it is requisite for the first five days especially that she take moderately Ponado broath Poach'd Eggs Gelly of Chickens or Calves feet French Barley-broath each day somewhat increasing her allowance If she intend to be Nurse to her Child she may take a little more than ordinary to increase the Milk by degrees which must be of no continuance but drawn off either by the Child or other wise In this case likewise let her have Coriander or Fennel-Seed boyled in her Barley-broth but by any means for the time specified let her abstain from Meat If no Feaver trouble her she may drink now and then a small quantity of White-wine or Claret as also Syrup of Maiden-Hair or other Syrup that is astringent takeing it in a little Water well boyled And after the suspition of a Feaver or fear of contraction of Humours in the breast she may be nourished more plentifully with the broath of Pullets Capons Pidgeons Muton Veal c. Which must not be till after eight days from the day of delivery is over at what time the Womb unless some accident hinder has purged if self it will then likewise be expedient to give her cold Meats sparingly that so she may be inabled to gather strength she during the time resting quiet and free from disturbance not sleeping in the day time if she can avoid it If there happen any obstruction in the evacuation of Excrement a Glyster may be administred to help the defect made after the manner following Receipt Of both the Mallows and Pelletory of the Wall a handful of each Cammomile and Mellilot Flowers of each a handful Anni-seeds and Fennel-seeds of each two ounces boyd them in the decoction of a Sheeps head and take of this 3 quarters dissolving in them of common Honey and course Suger two ounces of each and of new fresh Butter 3 ounces strained well and administer it Glysterwise but if it operate not to your mind then may you an ounce of Catholicon CHAP. XXIII What ought to be done to the Child when newly born with divers other matters relating thereto THE Navel of the Child having been before recited the Midwise must cleanse the Infant not
flat and hang it about the Womans Neck so that it may reach the pit of her Stomach and it will draw the Womb upward or keep it in its place that it shall not fall down or give the Child occasion to seek for untimely passage CHAP. XXV Of the Washing of Woman after Delivery with Directions how to make them FOR the first Wash take a good handful of young Charvil boil it in 2 pints of water which having done add to it a spoonful of Honey of Roses and let the Midwife use it at her discretion and it will draw down the Purgations heal and cleanse the afflicted part There are some that use Milk instead of Water affirming that it greatly mittigates the pain but by those whom Experience has taught better it is rejected this having been used eight days the second wash may be made Take Province Roses moist if you can but if not the dry Cakes put them in a little linnen Bag and boyl them sufficiently in half a pint of Water and half a pint of White Wine and use it as the former for other eight days viz. The liquid part being well straine The third and last wash must be made of the decoction of Province Roses decocted in a pint of VVhite VVine and a quarter of a Pint of Mirth-water and used only four days CHAP. XXVI An Astringent for Women when occasion requires as also Directions for a Cere-Chath and how to cleanse her before she rise TO make an Astringent take Pomgranets Roach Allum and Galls of each 2 ounces Knot Grass a handful of Province Roses four ounces the Rinds of Cassa and Pomgranets each 3 ounces of Scarlet-berries of Spermaceti one ounce The waters of Roses Mâ—â—â—n and Burnet of each one ounceand a half white VVine and water of the Smiths Forge of each a quarter of a Pint then take two little baggs about a quarter of a yard long and half a quarter broad boyl them in the Waters with the Drugs or Simples in them and in a new glazed Pipkin and use them successively as occasion requires To make an exceeding convenient Searcloath to ease the pain and reduce the Body into good temperament Take Virgins wax 8 ounces Spermaceti and Venice Turpentine well washed in Rose and Plantane water of each an ounce and a half adding to them whilst they are melting an ounce of white Lead of Venice pulverized and having by the operation of the Fire well mixed them together spread them Plaisterwise upon a Cloath fit to cover the Belly as far as it is convenient some of this you may lay upon the Nipples having first anointed them with Oyl of Acrons of Spermaceti and it will allay the inflammation and much strengthen them To cleanse a VVoman before she rises Take a considerable quantity of bitter Almonds peel them bruise them well and make them into a Past with the Yolk of an Egg and Powder of Grise put the Past into a bag of Shamy and dip it in black Wine tempering it well and use it upon the place where the Sear-cloaths have been laid and after that wash the said places with black Wine wherein Orange flowers have been steeped and it will cleanse these parts to admiration CHAP. XXVII How to expell the Chollick from Women in Child-Birth and the violent Griping that attend the first Delivery THese Pains frequently afflict the Woman no less than the pangs of her Labour and are by the ignorant taken many times the one for the other sometimes again they joyn Forces and happen at the same instant which is occasioned by the crudy matter in the Stomach contracted through indigestion and whilst such a Pain lasts the Woman advanceth nothing towards her Travel to expel the fits of the Chollick therefore Take two ounces of sweet Almond Oyl and an ounce of cinnamon-Cinnamon-water with 3 or 4 drops of Spirit of Ginger and let the Woman drink it off and if this work not your desire make a Glyster of Cammomile Baum leaves Olive-Oyl and new Milk concocting the former in the latter and having strained it very well administer it as 't is usual in such cases nor are Fomentations proper for dispelling wind amiss If the pain prove the griping or fretting of the Guts continuing long after Delivery or if it happen upon the Courses descending by reason of the smallness of the Veins which convey the Blood into the Matrix which often befalls Women lying in of their first Child wherefore it is altogether convenient to use such a Remedy at such a time as may eradicate the cause for the future and above all I recommend this most approved one used with success by many Noble Women Recepe Of the Root of great Camfory a dram Nutmegs and Peach-Kernels of each two scruples yellow Amber and Amber grease of the former a dram and the latter a scruple bruise them together and give them the Woman as soon as she is layed down in two or three Spoonfuls of White-wine but if it so happen that she be feverish then let it be in as much warm Broth. CHAP. XXVIII The approved Receipts for hindring the Monthly Flux in Women with Child also to cause Women that are fearful and subject to Abortion to contain the Birth Together with preparatory Ointments to be used before the time of Delivery and Directions for staying or preventing Vomiting much incident to Women with Child TO hinder the Superfluity or Eflux dangerous to VVomen far gone with Child Take the Oyl of Roses Virgins-wax juice of Male Knot-grass of each 3 ounces Bolearmonick Crocus Martis of each six drams melt them and bruise them till they become plyant and capable of being spread Plaster wise and when the Flux descends lay it to her Loyns whilst she lies in the bed Or to the same effect you may take Crocus Martis a dram Knot-grass juice 4 ounces rose-Rose-water and Vinegar of each one ounce adding to them the white of an Egg and apply them cold upon a Linnen Cloath to her Loins IOf the VVoman be fearful of containing the Birth and reject to Abortion Take the Roots of Tormentile and Snake-weed of each an ounce and a half Joubertus Astringent Powder Mirtle-berries Psida Pomgraner Flowers of each six drams Dragons-blood and Spong-Bedeguar of each half an ounce Frankincense and Mastick of each 3 drams Nutmeg and Cloves of each half a dram common Pich six ounces Cinnamon a dram Venice Turpentine washed in the juice of Shepheards purse 2 ounces of Ship Pitch 3 ounces Virgin-wax two ounces melt and well imbody them till they become pliable to be spread Plaister-wise and apply the Plaister upon Leather to the Reins To make an Oyntment exceeding useful before Delivery Take the Oyls of white Lilly Roots and Cammomile each 4 ounces new Hogs-Seam strained and fresh Butter of each an ounce and a half Muscilage of the Seed of Fenegreck extracted in mugwort-Mugwort-water 2 ounces the Powder of round Billwort Roots and Saffron of each two drams Wax an
ounce and a half melt them over a gentle Fire and having strained forth the suplist part anoint and supple the Womans Thighs Hips and Matrix therewith In case of Vomiting or Nauseating which too frequently befalls young Childing Women Take a Cere-cloath sprinkle it with Galbanum Powder of Cloves and Maâ—â—ick them covering it with linnen or silk in the form of a Stomacher apply it to the Stomach renewing it as the scent decays CHAP. XXIX A Pomatum for Midwives to anoint their hands with when they are about their Office as also the Womb of the Woman to be Delivered Excellent Applications to straighten and strengthen the Womb after Delivery AMongst the many Excellent Pomatums or Oyntments for Midwives Hands and anointing the Womb or Child to render the Birth easie I recommend this as chief viz. Take of Hemp seed Oyl an ounce and a half half an ounce of Castor Oyl Galmoschate half a scruple of Laudanum a scruple with a gentle fire make them into an Oyntment and attribute it to the use beforementioned To contract the Womb after Delivery Take the Leaves of Startwort and Mirtle of each 3 ounces Green Medlars Pruans and wild Pears of each 8 or 9 ounces the Stomachs of 3 Cocks fresh killed and newly taken out all which distill and dipping Cotten into the water issuing from them make it into the form of a Pessary and put it into the Womb where let it continue a considerable space To strengthen the Womb take of Borrage and Violet flowers each a handful Dittany of Creet an ounce Wood Sorrel a handful Honey of Roses half an ounce Maiden-Hair an ounce boyl them in White-wine and Inject the Liquid part into the Womb the woman taking soon after it this potion viz. Of Fennel and Bugloss Roots with Cicora ana take two ounces boy them in 24 ounces of White-wine to the consumption of two parts adding afterward Fennel water and Cicory water of each 3 ounces boyling them again till a 5th part of what remains be consumed and of this let her drink an ounce at a time continuing so to do Morning and Evening for 10 days CHAP. XXX To keep the Milk from Curdling in the Breast or to dry it up most approved Receipt as also to increase Milk IF the Milk be subject to Curd in the Breast past doubt in will contract pains or disorder there as well as in the Child that draws it forth wherefore to prevent it so doing Take the Roots of Althea half a pound boyl them in White-wine Vinegar strain them through a fine Seive adding to the liquid part Bean flower one ounce powder of Rue and dried Mint of each a dram Oyl of Mastick two ounces boyl them again till they come to the thickness or plyableness of an Oyntment To dry up the Milk take Honey newly taken from the Bees dissolve it in water and often wash the Breasts therewith or take the Juice of Speremint and Shepherds Purse of each half an ounce mix them and sweeten them with a little of the aforesaid Honey and drink them in the morning with the Broth of a Hen or Chicken Or she may take of the Oyl of Violets 3 ounces the juice of Mint and Paisley a like quantity an ounce of white-wine Vinegar Rose water two ounces boyl them over a gentle fire to the consumption of the juice adding a little wax to make them into an Oyntment and anoint the Breast therewith or for want of these take Elder tops Sage and Mint of all of them a handful boil them in Spring water loft and lay them to the Breast If the Woman be scarce of Milk and for the benefit of the Child she would increase it Let her take the Decoction of Fennel and bath her Breast therewith mixing the juice of Oak-Apples and at the same time take inwardly this following powder viz. Of Anniseeds Fennel seeds and Cummin seeds of each 2 drams beaten Ginger half an ounce of both sorts of Pepper two drams of Coral a dram of Christal and Cinnamon each a dram the Seed of Daucia a dram Silver Moâ—tanus one ounce and a half Cardamons and long Pepper of each a dram and a half of Seselcos half an ounce the Seeds of Sesamum one ounce of White-poppy one ounce mingle and dry them till they are all capable of being beaten into a powder one dram of which the Woman must take at a time Morning and Evening in a broth made of Red Colwarâ—s anointing her Breast the mean time with an Oyntment made of Venice Turpentine Vinegar of Roses and Bees wax of each an equal proportion CHAP. XXXI For a Pain in the Breast immediately upon Delivery or the Fissure TAke new Bees-wax two ounces Nut Oyl half an ounce Rape seed Oyl the like quantity as the latter when melting the Wax add the Oyls temper them well together to the thickness of a stiff Oyntment or Salve and spread them upon a cloth fit to cover the Breast and apply it with extraordinary success In case a Fissure happen in the Breast take of the Powder of Gun-Arabick one ounce rose-Rose-water and Aqua vitae of each an ounce prepare them by beating them together till they are of an apt thickness then seeth them over the Fire and when cool apply them Plaister-wise to the Fissure or for want of these take Unguentum Rosarum and anoint the place grieved applying upon it a Poltiss of Ground Juice CHAP. XXXII The Cause of the Bellies swelling after Delivery and how to prevent it or Cure it if it happens Certain it is and Experience teachetâ— often that many Women have their bellies swelled after Delivery as much almoâ—â— as before and this happens through too much neglected carelesness in not having regard to foment them as also to apply things convenient to the privities by which means polite windiness and Vapours enter and contract in the hollow Concavities Veins and Arteries the latter of which they enter by insensible ways Now to prevent it take Origanum Night shade and Mastick of each a scruple Sagapenum a dram mix them together and make them into 7 Pills take them all at once and after them drink to the quantity of a quarter of a pint of the water of white Lillies viz. of the Flowers In câ—se it be already come let her take half a pound of Spanish Figgs the Meal of Barley and Beans fine sifted four ounces of each two ounces of well burnt Brick pulverized Cyprus Nuts one ounce boyl them in as much water of the Smiths Forge as will suffice to bring them to a thickness then spread them upon a Linnen Cloath and apply them to the Belly twice or thrice and it will retire to its wonted smallness CHAP. XXXIII Of Inflammations in the Breast and its Cures THE Inflammation of the Breast is no other than the hard swelling acâ—â—ompaâ—â—ed with a shooting pain as also a bâ—ating and redness and is mostly caused by the abundance of Blood drawn or sâ—â—wing
The Effigies of a Maid all Hairy and an Infant that was black by the Imagination of their Parents Joviâ—â— ARISTOTELES MASTER-PIECE Or The Secrets of Generation displayed in all the parts thereof Containing 1. The Signs of Barrenness 2. The way of getting a Boy or Girl 3. Of the likeness of Children to Parents 4. Of the Infusion of the Soul into the Infant 5. Of Monstrous Births and the reasons thereof 6. Of the benefit of Marriage to both Sexes 7. The prejudice of unequal Matches 8. The discovery of Insufficiency 9. The cause and cure of the Green-sickness 10. A Discourse of Maiden-heads 11. How a Midwife ought to be qualified 12. Directions and Cautions to Midwifes 13. Of the Privities 14. The Fabrick of the Womb. 15. The Use and Action of the Genitals 16. Signs of Conception and whether of a Male or Female 17. To discover false Conceptions 18. Instructions for Women with Child 19. For preventing Miscarriage 20. For Women in Child-bed 21. Of ordering new-born Infants and many other very useful Particulars To which is added a word of Advice to both Sexes in the Act of Copulation And the Pictures of several Monsterous Births drawn to the Life Entered According to Order London Printed for J. How and are to be sold next door to the Anchor Tavern in Swee-things-Rents in Cornhil 1684. The Introduction IT plainly appears in Holy Writ that this glorious Universe bespangled with gaudy Fires and every where adorned with wonderful Objects proclaming the Wisdom and Omnipotence of the great Work-Master who in six days erected all things for his pleasure was at first drawn out of nothing or at most a formless Chaos of Confusion a disordered and confounded heap of jarring Elements toss'd and jumbl'd together under the dismal shades of during Night eldest of things no Fruitfulness nor Pleasure no Creature that had breath had being in the place this lower World possesses till God out of the abundance of his Goodness sent forth his Holy Spirit who dove-like with mighty out-spread Wings sat brooding on the vast Abyss and made it pregnant then Light put Darkness soon to flight and all the glorious Lamps of Heaven appeared all Creatures soon had being and every Plant Tree Herb or Flower of fragrant smell sprung from the Vernant Earth raised by command above the Waters every thing of use having Seed in it self that no second Creation needed not but still the Lordly Creature who should rule the Creatures being wanting he was framed more Glorious than all Creatures as not made without mature Counsel and Deliberation and stamped in the divine Similitude inspired with the infused breath of Life beyond what any other Creature durst to boast The contemplating of which long since made the Royal Psalmist break out into this Rapture viz. What is Man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that thou visitest him Thou madest him lower than the Angels To Crown him with Glory and Worship Thou makest him to have dominion of the Works of thy Hands and thou hast put all things in subjection under hhis Feet Psal 8. ver 4 5 6. Thus I say when God had created the World and furnished it with whatsoever seemed good in his sight and that there was nothing wanting for necessary use commodity and pleasure it seemed good to him then to make one that might use them to his Glory and take delight in rejoycing in them wherefore when Natures Ornaments were all compleat he brought Man into the World as into his own Possession and that he might not be disconsolate nor solitary gave him a Woman for a Helper Companion infusing into them a force of love and desire towards each other And of procreating their likeness having prepared for that purpose a swelling Humor or Spirit and Organical parts and that the one thro' fear or neglect should not be induced to decline the Society of the other he added Allurements and desire of mutual embracing that so they might in procreation be sweetly affected and pacified by wonderous ways for unless this was natural to all kind of Creatures they would be regardless of Posterity and procreation would cease whereby mankind would quickly be lost and the Affairs of mortals of no durance But that this passiouate desire might strongly opporate as well in sensual felicity as on the imagination God has firmly impressed it in all Creatures subject thereto both Male and Female but more especially on man and least it should prove unruly in him and not easily subdued he has thought it convenient to prescribe him bounds in granting him the use of the Matrimonial Bed that so they might not defile themselves with wandridg lust who want the Gift of Continency wherefore so soon as Copulation is finished and the Woman happens to prove with Child great is Natures cunning in fostering coagulating and framing the Seed of both Sex that at the set time when nine months are run over Man that ruler and ornament of the sublunary World may come forth In Relation to which my stry of Generation Holy Job in the tenth Chapter of his Book thus expresses himself viz. Hast thou not powred me out as Milk and curdled me like Cheese Thou hast cloathed me with Skin and Flesh and hast fenced me with Bones and Sinewes Thou hast granted me life and favour and thy visitation hath preserved my Spirit But not to be tedious in prolonging on this Subject I shall proceed to unravel the mystrey of Generation and divers other Mysteries as I well hope to the fatisfaction of the learned and ingenious of the Age whose discretion past doubt will wrest it to no other end than to what it was designed viz. for the benefit and advantage of the modesty of either Sex I not desiring this Book should fall into the hands of any obseene Person whose Folly or Malice may turn that into Ridicule that loudly proclaims the infinite Wisdom of an omnipotent Creator who by his mighty working is able to subdue all things to himself Gloria Deo in Excelsâ—s CHAPTER I. Of Marriage and at what Age Virgins and Youths are capable of Generation and the reason that prompts them to desire Copulation with the signs of Barrenness and how long a Man or Woman are capable of getting Children THat Marriage is an Honourable State ordained by God in Paradise and since confirmed by our blessed Saviour who wrought his first Miracle at a Wedding I hope none will deny therefore it is convenient that Parents well take care of their Daughters Chastity and when they find them inclinable to Marriage not rigorously to restrain their Affections for Nature will have its course but rather to provide for them if possible such Husbands as may be for their advantage and with whom they may live comfortably in that blessed State lest being crossed in their purposes and delayed they part with their Honour dishonourable ways The propension and inclination of Maids to Marriage is to be
that the Seed has no free passage then the cause must be enquired into and this often happens the which is known by the small desire to Venery and the little or no pleasure or satisfaction received thereby a settling in the Courses and a slimy Fâ—â—gmatick matter mixed therewith as also by their inordinate flowing occasioned by the plenty of humours collected in the Womb which by reason of the abundant of windy Vapours contracted therein causes obstruction to which may be added the cruditie and wateryness of the Seed which debars the pleasure in ejection and from hence it is that sudden paleness arises in the face c. To remedy this the party must alter her Diet not eating any cold raw Flegmatick substance but rather such things as are apt to stir up Cholerick hot humours in the Body as Anniseeds or Carraway-seeds in her Bread Store of Peniroyal in her Broth let her likewise each morning for a week together make a Posset in which she must boil the Roots of Birthwort Angelico Sage Rosemary Cinamon and Burrage The takeing the Male Herb Mercury Dittany Centaury Marygolds Cubeds Safron Mugwort and Clovegilly-flowers of each a handful boil them in white Wine and eject the Concoction by little and little at sundry times as the cold or obstruction can be perceived Anointing the Belly and Reins of the back one day with Oyl of Cinamon the next with Oyl of Nutmeg or Mace and the 3d. with Oyl of Myrrh and so continuing to do for a month together When the Woman lies down Nature will be wonderfully restored and recover such force as to remove to Obstructions Barrenness is likewise caused through want of due proportion of Seed in either party to remedy which let their Diet be such as I have prescribed in the former part of this Book Chap. II. Many there are that conceive Barrenness is frequently caused by inchantation but those opinion s are altogether frivolous and vain If the Womb be defective in attracting the Seed ejected Men frequently labour in vain in such a case the Woman must avoid Sorrow Anger or much Sleep Eating new Cheese Milk and raw food especially Lettis Endive Spinage Beets Nuts Cherries Purstain Oynions Garlick and the like They all being hurtful to Generation nor must she drink nor use Vinegar nor eat the Fat of Meat too frequently but the Womb must be cleansed from the over abundant moisture with the decoction of Hearts Tongue a Herb so called Cummin Fenel and Anniseed and strengthned with the Sirup of Wormwood and for a gentle opperative Purge in this case take half an ounce of Laudanun Bees-wax Sheeps Suet and Agarick of each a like quantity melt and bruise them after which make them up into little Pills and take 3 in a morning and next to them take of this conception to the bigness of an Nutmeg viz. The shavings of Ivory Ash Keys Yellow and wild Rape-seed Siler Montanus with red and white Behen of each one Dram Cinaman Galinga Long-pepper Cloves and Mace Balsam-wood Rosemary Flowers Blatiae Bezaria Gentle Marjorum and Pennyroyal of each 4 Scruples Balm Bogluss Cittern Reils of each two Scruples Pearl disolved or beaten to power one Scruple Musk two Grains White-Sugar one pound and a half bruise them and seeth them over a gentle fise in as much Malmsey as will make them into a Confection This Confection is indeed a most singular and approved one in all cases of Barrenness where cold or obstructions of the Vessels do occasion weakness in the Womb. Other causes of Barrenness there are when the Woman grows far so that the Caul swelling and bearing beyond its Bounds with its fatness obstructs the Passage into the Womb to prevent which the Woman must not sleep over much especially in the day time nor feed riotously but exercise her self in walking or moderate Exercises and often use Purgation and strong Glysters made of such Herbs and Drugs that are hot and dry which will in a short time remove such Obstructions But a more dangerous cause of Barrenness than yet I have named are the Whites which are contracted by an inordinate Eurudition of an excrementitious Humour collected through the Vitiousness of the Blood incident to Yonng and Old at such times as they are capable of Generation and therefore the Cure must be hastned by reason that in short time it derides Art and renders Women inevitably barren occasioning Leanness Consumption Melancholly Dropsie falling of the Womb swooning Convulsions which renders it difficult and dangerous in long continuance though in the beginning it may be easily removed In the Cure of this let Phlebotomy or Blood letting be avoided for as much as the bad Humour must be by no means recalled to defile the Blood the Disease it self being a sufficient weakning of the Body and vital Spirits First then to discuss the Humour in order to its Expurgation take two ounces of Guaicum the like quantity of China and Lentick-wood decoct them in Water and Honey drinking a pint fresh made each morning then to dry â—p the Contraction of the Vessels or Humour that lodged there take the Root of â—ilipendula beat it to powder and drink it in White-wine Morning and Evening as also for Astringents use Bones burnt and beat to powder likewise the ashes of Capons Dung ejected after a long time steeping in fair water the Patient must likewise avoid sleeping upon her Back lest the Humour descend and contract in the Vessels of the Womb but let her be rubbed often to disperse them that they settle not in any one place Sometimes this occasion of Barrenness happens through the violent attraction of the VVomb and then appears signs of afflictions of the Womb the Fiux not being so great to cure which Suffumarions are the most proper and those may be made of Frankinsence Laudanum Santalum or Mastick the Woman upon such occasion having great regard to her self that she take not cold or proceed to intemperate Diet. Many women there are whose violent lust contracts a heat that destroys the Seed and renders it incapable of coagulating and mixing with the Blood which very sparingly on such occasions flow from the several parts to the womb In this case 't is requisite to avoid hot Air soft lying hot Meats and Spices and requisite to bleed in the Basilick Vein and Purge moderately with Electuary hâ—m de Epithijmo and juice of Roses each two drams and a half Whey half a pint mix them together and drink them fasting in the morning and so continue 4 hours after or for want of the former you may take Triphera Sarasenicia and Rhuberb of each half a dram pulverized and mixed with 2 ounces of Syrup of Roses Violets or Endive but the most excellent restorative to cool and moderate the Temper in this case is a Diet drink made as followeth viz. Take Pistacho Pingles and Eringoes of each half an ounce of Saffron a Dram Lignum Alloes Gallinga Caryophillata Mace red
and white Behen and Baulm flowers of each 4 Scruples shavings of Ivory Rind of Cassia each two Scruples Syrup of Confected Giner twelve ounces White Sugar six ounces add to these 12 ounces of Baulem water and set them over a gentle Fire permitting them to seeth then take it off suffer it to cool and put more water to it stiring the ingredient lastly increasing them with a Scruple and a half of Musk and Amber then strain out the Liquid prt and boil it up again into a Conserve of which let the Woman eat 3 times a day but not exceeding the bigness of a Walnut at a time The times most convenient are Mornings Noons nad Nights and this let her continue till she finds her body in good temper Another occasion of Barrenness proceeds from the obstruction of the Courses in which case open the Basilick Vein and take from thence a moderate quantity of Blood after which take Hiera composita and Oppopanax of each half a dram and a dram of Syrup of Gilliflowers make them into â— Pills take them in the Morning and sleep upon them a considerable time then drink off half a pint of Sugered water and 3 hours after a portion of Syrup of Vinegat compounded for want of this take Syrup of Eupatory 3 quarters of an ounce Female-Mugwort and Elecampaine Root of each an ounce with Syrup of Vinegar a proportionable quantity mix them together and take them when made into an Electuary Morning and Evening to the quantity of an Hazel Nut at a time and if the Courses flow not within a short time after let a pessary of Musk Amber Wood of Aloes and Ash-Keys of each 2 Grains Saffron half a Scruple Hares Renet an ounce be put into the Womb Tent-wise and continue there for the space of a day and it will remove the Obstruction cause the Courses to flow and in short time render the Woman capable of Generation And thus Reader have I with much caution performed my promise in these particulars and the next thing I shall proceed to amongst other matters relating to the Mystery of Generation are the signs of Virginity c. CHAP. X. Virginity what it is in what it consists and how violated together with the Opinions of the Learned in the point of mutation of Sexes in the Womb during the Operation of Nature in framing the Body SEeing many ignorant people have boasted their Knowledge as to the first Particular and some Virgins have undergone hard Censures through the ignorant Determinations of such as have taken upon them to discuss the matter I thought it altogether necessary to clear the Point that so for the future the Conceited might not be indulged in their vain opinion nor by traducing others prejudice the Female Sex whose vertues are frequently such as do not only require our admiration but imitation Then since the mysterious word Virginity has puzled many to define it I mean the cause from whence it arises for the Word barely in it self signifies the prime chief or best of any thing but as to the point in hand the main matter bears the following Construction It is observed by the curious Searchers into Natures Secrets that in young Maids or Females that in the Secret place about the Sâ—mus Pudoris or rather by some vulgarly called the Neck of the Womb is that pendulous production by some called the Hymen but more rightly the Claustrum Virginale and in French it is termed the Button de Rose or Roses Bud for that it much resembles the Bud of a Rose expended or a Clove Gilliflower from whence it derived the Word Dâ—floro to deflower or the deflowring of Virgins because most are of opinion that the Virginity is altogether annihilated when this Duplication is fractured and dissipated by violence and that when it is found perfect and intire no penetratio has been made Also some learned Physicians are of opinion that there is no other Hymen or Skin expanded containing Blood in it which divers imagine in the first Copulation flows from the fractured expanse Now this Claustrum Virginale or Flower is as it were composed or consisting of 4 Caruncles or little Buds like Mirtle-berries which in Virgins are full and plump but in Women flag and hang loose and these are placed in the four Angles of the Sinus Pudoris joyned or held together by little Membranes and Ligatures like Fibres each of them situate in the Intresticles or Spaces between each Caruncle with which in a manner they are proportionably distended which Membranes being once delacerated denote devirgination and many curious Coxcombs prying into this Secret the first night of their Marriage and finding their Wives defective in this point have â—ver after held them in evil esteem concluding it happened thro' the effect of Copulation with some other who had been entertained in the Chambers of Venus Nay one I knew that upon this vain â—ancy took such conceit that he would never copulate with his Wife when to undeceive such Idiots it is affirmed by the Learned that such fracture may happen divers ways by accident as well as Copulation with man viz. by extraordinary straining violent coughing immoderate sneezing stopping of Urine and violent motion of the Vessels inforcibly sending down the humours which pressing for passage break the Ligatures or Membrane so that the intireness or fracture of this thing commonly taken for the Virginity or Maiden-head is â—o absolute Sign of dishonesty tho' certain it is that in Copulation 't is more frequently broke than otherwise Once at an Assize held for the County of Rutland a young Man was put upon Tryal of life and death which Tryal was founded upon an indictment for forcing a Virgin when after divers questions asked and the Maid swearing positively to the matter naming the time place and manner of the Action it was upon mature Deliberation resolved that she should be searched by a skilful Chirurgeon and two Midwives who were to make their report upon their Oaths which after due Examination they accordingly did affirm that the Membranes were intire and unfractured and that it was their Opinion for that reason that her Body had not been penetrated which so far wrought with the Jury that the Prisoner was acquitted and the Maid afterward confessed she swore against him out of revenge because he had promised to marly her and then declined it And thus much concerning Virginity and now I shall proceed to the second particular which is Reader to shew you the Opinions of divers learned men to relation to Natures operation in changing Sexes in the Womb. This Point is of much necessity by reason of the different Opinions of Men relating to it Therefore before any thing positive can be asserted it will be altogether convenient to recite what has been delivered as well in the negative as the affirmative And first of the first Severius Plinaeus who argues for the negatives writes thus The Genital parts saith he of both
into watey humour falls into the Womb and cannot be easily voided thence The Humorous Mole is ingendered by moist attracted humours as the Whites or certain watery Purgations which distill from the Menstruous Veins and gathering into a glutenous substance stay in the concavity of the womb The Membranous Mole is no other then a contraction of Blood within a Skin or Membrane to which is fastned many white and transparent Vessels filled with Blood the which coming forth and being thrown into Water the Blood goes out and the Membrane rumbles together shrinking on a heap like coagulated Seed Now most or all of these false conceptions have many signs or symptoms coherent with the true as the depravity of Appetite puking swelling suppression of the Courses swelling of the Breasts and Belly so that many are at a plunge to distinguish them for indeed it is most easily to be done though in these following matters there is distinction viz. In case of a false Conception the Breast swell and fall again not containing any Milk the Face is frequently puffed up the Arms the Groyn and the Thighs grow megat and lanker the Belly waxes hard as if Dropsical being almost of an equal roundness with many prickings at the bottom scarcely admitting of Intermission which breaks the rest of the Women so afflicted divers other signs are there to know it by especially the true or fleshy Mole as thus A Male Infant begins to move at the beginning of the third month for the most part and the Female at the end of the third or beginning of the fourth now when any motion happens the Women ought to consider whether she have any Milk in her breasts if she have it is a sign of a true Coneption but the contrary of a false one it is also the sign of a true Conception if the Child move freely and lively in all parts of the Womb for although there is a motion in a false Conception yet it is dull and not quick nor active in motion the motion not being in it self but in the expulsive Faculty of the Mother and further if the Woman observe she may perceive it fall always to the side she lies on and she lying on her back if her belly be stroked down the burden will descend and not have for want of inbred force a power to recover its Station But what confirms it more is that 9 Months expired no Travel ensues but her Belly still increases whilst all the rest of the body grows lean and out of order The Signs of the windy Mole are divers as the sudden stretching of the Belly like a bladder yet soft and spungy especially near the Groins and small thereof when if it be struck it sounds like a drum and that the Swelling is sometimes more and sometimes less so that according to its increase or decrease the Woman feels more heavy or more light The watery Mole is known by its distention of the Belly and especially when she lies upon her back the sides thereof are more swelled than the middle or the bottom which grows flatter by reason the watery Humour falls to the sides moving up and down as if it were a fluctuation of Water and much to the same purpose as the Symptoms of the humorous Mole only with this distinction that the Flanks and Thighs are more stretched by the Watery Mole than by the other because the Water being thinner than the Humour or not confined in Cells flows thither and that which in case of a watry Mole comes through Natures conduite is clear when in case of a humourous Mole the water is red or of a bloody colour Further observe in case of a false conception the Courses come not down and the Navel of the Mother advanceth it self little or nothing which in true Conception is otherwise Other false Conceptions there are occasioned by divers Tumours which the Ignorant take for Moles when they are only Rotundies and swelling the Belly which are not discovered till the Womb be opened and then though the Womb be not all out of order there does appear at one or both corners thereof little bags full of water in others there are to be seen a heap of Kernels or superfluous flesh like a cluster of Grapes in the Womb causing it to swell Yet in such cases the Courses are observed to proceed in due order which denotes the Womb to be in good order Another Excrescency of Flesh there is which some call a Pendent Mole being a piece of fleshy substance hanging within the Interior Neck of the Womb being in breadth about a finger at the place where it is fastned increasing bigger and bigger towards the bottom like a small Bell possessing the whole Orifice of the privy Member sometimes appearing outward to a great bigness CHAP. XVIII Instructions for Women how to govern themselves during their being with Child THese Instructions being exceeding necessary I thought fit to lay them down for a Rule to such as are desirous of self-preservation And indeed for want of due observance divers Diseases afflict Child-bearing Women nay the Child is frequently lost or if it come to a perfect Birth proves sickly and disordered through the evil Humours that are derived to it through the Mothers misobservance In the first place then the Woman with Child ought to choose a Temperate Air not infected with Fogs arising from Marshes Ditches Ponds Lakes or Rivers and not to go abroad in too hot nor too cold weather nor when the South wind blows strong for that wind above all others disturbs and disorders Women with Child oftentimes causing Abortion And next to it the North-wind is hurtful causing Catarrhs Coughs and Rhumes which opening the body causes the Woman to bring forth before her time In short if any evil Vapour be drawn in during pregnancy causes divers Diseases In case of Diet she ought to be very cautious in chusing such Meats as create wholsome Nourishment all Meats that are moderately dry being taken so to do and let her observe not to fast immoderately for that renders the Child sickly and weak and often for want of Nourishment constrains it to be born before its time nor on the other hand must she be too gluttonous for that again stuffs it and causes it to swell beyond its natural bounds All Meats either too hot or too cold and moist are to be avoided as Salads Spices Meats and the extraordinary use of her Meats which makes the Children come forth oftentimes without Nails which is a sign of short life The most wholsome Meats in this case are Pidgeons Turtles Larks Partridges Pheasants Veal Mutton or any such Meats that is of good Juice and contributing to kindly Nourishment as also such Fruits as are sweet and often digestion as Cherries Pears Damsons c. but let her avoid such things as subject her Body to windiness Her Longings if Extravagant she must restrain at least as much as in her lies not eating any