The Compleat DOCTORESS: OR, A Choice Treatiſe of all Diſeaſes inſident to Women. WITH Experimentall Remedies againſt the ſame.
Being
Faithfully tranſlated out of Latine into Engliſh for a common good.
LONDON, Printed for Edward Farnham and are to ſold at his Shop at the entrance into Popes-head-alley out of Cornhill, 1656.
IT is acknowledged by the moſt able Phyſitians, that it requires great diligeuce, and Judgement to contrive an exact Partition, or Explanation of Womens Diſeaſes, and to oblige the World with a right Method, and Meanes to cure them: becauſe ſometimes a part is diſeaſed by conſent, and ſometimes primarily, by it ſelfe, or without any communication of diſtemper either with, or without matter, from any other part. The Ancients, whoſe ſtudious endeavours conſpired the ſubduing of theſe Diſeaſes, have left behinde them moſt honourable teſtimonies of their labours, in favour of that Sex. Modern men alſo have been ſtirred up to their defence, as Mercurialis, and Mercatus, the former indeed with ſufficient elegance, but the latter with ſomuch tediouſneſs, and confuſion; that you may ſooner finde your Patient dead, then a remedy in his writings for her recovery; to correct this inconvenience, Rodericus a Caſtro engaged his pen in their quarrell, but with no great ſucceſſe, for if my Judgement be any thing conſiderable, his writings are more learned, then uſefull. When I had noted theſe deficiencies, I thought with my ſelfe, that if I culled out the choiceſt Medicines (omitting the ſuperfluous) and digeſted them into a little worke by themſelves, it might prove an undertaking worthy of a generall acceptation; This was the birth, and growth of my deſigne, warrantable enough, as I conceive, if not praiſe worthy, and if I flatter not my ſelfe in an opinion of my own paines, I have proceeded with ſo much perſpicuity, and tender circumſpection, as will make the event anſwerable.
WOMEN were made to ſtay at home, and to looke after Houſhold employments, and becauſe ſuch buſineſs is accompanied with much eaſe, without any vehement ſtirrings of the body, therefore hath provident Nature aſſigned them their monethly Courſes, that by the benefit of thoſe evacuations, the feculent and corrupt bloud might be purified, which otherwiſe,2 as being the pureſt part of the bloud, would turne to ranke poyſon, ſhould it remaine in the body and putrifie; like the ſeed ejaculated out of its proper veſſells. Hippocrates had a perfect underſtanding of theſe things, as may appeare by thoſe words, in his booke de locis in homine, where he ſaith, that the Matrix is the cauſe of all thoſe diſeaſes which happen to women; and it is no ſtrange thing which he ſpeaketh; for the Matrix hath a Sympathie with all the parts of the body; as with the Braine by the Nerves and Membranes of the parts about the ſpine, from whence ſometimes ariſeth the paines, in the fore part, and the hinder part of the head, with Heart alſo, both by the Spermatick, and the Epigaſtrick arteries, or thoſe that lie about the Abdomen at the bottome of the bellie, from hence cometh the paine of the heart, fainting, and ſwounding fits, the paſſion of the Heart, anxietie of minde, diſſolution of the ſpirits, inſomuch as you cannot diſcerne, whither a woman breaths or not, or that ſhe hath any pulſe; it hath likewiſe a conſent with the breaſts; and from hence proceed thoſe ſwellings, that hardneſs, and thoſe terrible Cancers that afflict thoſe tender parts, that a humour doth flow3 upwards, from the Matrix to the Breaſts, and downwards again, from the Breaſts to the Matrix, is the unanimous aſſertion of Galen, Hippocrates, Laurentius, Duretus, and others; moreover it hath a ſympathie with the Liver; and thus the ſanguification is perverted, and the body inclines to a Dropſie, and with the ſtomach and the Kidneys alſo, as thoſe paines which great bellied women doe feele, and the torments which ſome Virgins undergoe, when they have their Courſes, ſufficiently witneſſe. And laſtly, Hippocrates hath taught us, that this conſent holdeth with the bladder, and the ſtraight〈◊〉; for, ſaith he, when that part is inflamed, then the urine commeth away by drops, and the Patient hath frequent deſires, and ſolicitations to goe to ſtoole, but but without any performance.
Womens diſeaſes are divided into foure Claſſes, whereof the firſt containeth the diſeaſes that are common to all women: the ſecond comprehendeth ſuch as are peculiar to Widowes, and Virgins; The third ſpecifieth thoſe Affects that concern barren women, and ſuch as are fruitfull; And the fourth treateth of ſuch diſeaſes, as befall Women with Childe, and Nurſes; of all which we ſhall now ſpeak, one after another, in their order.
4Thoſe diſeaſes that are common, both to widowes and wives, both to barren women, and women that are fruitfull, as alſo to young Maids, and Virgins, proceed from the retention, or ſtoppage of their Courſes, as the moſt univerſall, and moſt uſuall cauſe; when theſe come from them, in a duc and regular manner, their bodies are preſerved from moſt terrible diſeaſes; but otherwiſe, they are immediately ſubject to the falling Sickneſs, the Palfie, the Conſumption, the Whites, the Mother, Melancholy, Burning Fevers, the Dropſey inward inflammations of all the principall parts, the ſuppreſſion of the urine, n•e eating, vomiting, loathing of meat, yexing, and a continuall paine in the Head, ariſing from ill vapours, communicated from the Matrix to the Braine.
Wives are more healthfull then Widowes, or Virgins, becauſe they are refreſhed with the mans ſeed, and ejaculate their own, which being excluded, the cauſe of the evill is taken away. This is evident from the words of Hippocrates, who adviſeth young Maids to marrie, when they are thus troubled; that women have ſtones and ſeed, no true Anatomiſt will denie; the womans ſeed, I confeſs, in regard of the ſmall5 quantity of heat, is more imperfect then the ſeed of the mans, yet is it moſt abſolute in it ſelfe, and ſit for Generation. Another cauſe alſo may be added, beſides that which is alledged from Hippocrates, namely, that married women by lying with their husbands, doc looſen the paſſages of the ſeed, and ſo the Courſes come down more eaſily thorow them; Now in Virgins it falls out otherwiſe, becauſe the bloud is ſtopped by the conſtipation and obſtruction of the veines, and being ſtopped putrifies, from which putrifaction groſſe vapours doe ariſe, and from thence he•vineſſe of minde, and dulneſſe of ſpirit, a benummedneſſe of the parts, tim orouſneſſe, and an aptneſs to be frighted, with a ſudden propenſitie to fall into fits of the Mother, by reaſon of much bloud, oppreſſing and burthening the heart, alſo continuall anxiety, ſadneſs, and want of ſleep, with idle talking, and an alienation of the minde, but that which moſt commonly afflicts them, is a difficulty, and paine to fetch their breath, for the cheſt by a continuall dialatation and compreſſion, draweth the bloud from the Matrix to it ſelfe, in a large proportion, and ſometimes produceth aſthmaticall effects. But6 what ſhall we ſay concerning Widowes, who lye fallow, and live ſequeſtred from theſe Venereous Conjunctions? we muſt conclude, that if they be young, of a black complexion, and hairie, and are likewiſe ſomewhat diſcoloured in their cheeks, that they have a ſpirit of ſalacity, and feele within themſelves a frequent titillation, their ſeed being hot and prurient, doth irritate and inflame them to Venery, neither is this concupiſcence allaid and qualified, but by provoking the ejaculation of the ſeed, as Galen propounds the advice in the example of a widow, who was afflicted with intolerable ſymptomes, till the abundance of the ſpermatick humour was•iminiſhed by the hand of a skilfull Midwife, and a convenient oyntment, which paſſage will alſo furniſh us with this argument that the uſe of Venery is exceeding whol ſome, if the woman will confine her ſelf to the Lawes of moderation, ſo that ſh•feele no weariſomneſſe, nor weakneſſe i•her body, after thoſe pleaſing conflicts.
Moſt certaine it is, that barren wome•are more tormented with ſickneſſe, the•thoſe that are fruitfull, becauſe, they wh•have children, live in a more healthful•condition, by reaſon of the opening of th•7veines, and the comming away of the ſuperfluous bloud; which being of an earthy, and feculent ſubſtance, muſt needs introduce prodigious ſymptom•s in the bodies of other women, who have no ſeaſonable meanes to vent and purge it out, and daily experience doth witneſſe it to the private conſideration of ſuch women, that very many obſtructions breed in their Liver, Meſenteries, and Matrices. That women in Child-bed alſo, and ſuch as nurſe their owne children, are ſubject to moſt bitter, and vehement affects, Galen doth daily teach us by an undeniable reaſon; for whereas the childe in the wombe is nouriſhed by the ſweeteſt, fatteſt, and moſt elaborate part of the menſtruous Bloud, in its own nature filthy, and dreggiſh, when the woman is delivered, that bloud is forcibly evacuated by a criticall kinde of motion, and violent ebullition, whereupon the ſpirits are exhauſted, and the feeble creature is precipitated into mortall infirmities, as fainting fits, incredible torments, and frequent ſoundings.
Many times alſo, beſides that perticular fulneſſe of the womb through the ſwelling, and ſtrutting of the veines; ſuch women all the time that they be great with childe,8 are oppreſſed with an abundance of ill humours, contracted, and heaped up together by a bad diet, after which the upper parts of their bodies are many times moſt wofully inflamed.
After the ſame manner alſo Nurſes are tormented with ſore breaſts, painfull ſwellings, Ulcers, and Cancers, and the like crueii diſeaſes, by reaſon that the Menſtruum floweth in an unmeaſurable quantitie to the breaſts, and there ſettles. But now, by the permiſſion of Heaven, we ſhall ſet down a particular Explanation of theſe Diſeaſes.
THe ſuppreſſion of the Courſes, is an interception, or ſtoppage of that uſuall evacuation of bloud, which is wont to flow from the Matrix every month.
There is a twofold cauſe hereof; one inward, the other outward•; the inward cauſe is alſo manifold; for ſometimes it is one kinde of diſtemper, ſometimes another; and ſometimes againe, a humour is the cauſe thereof, the diſtemper is9 either hot, or cold, and concerning the former, this is controverted among the Doctors, how a hot diſtemper can ſtay the Courſes: for if we will credit the b•ſt Authors, or ſubmit our judgements to the generall Vote of Philoſophy; it is the property of heat to open, to rarifie, to make thin, and to dilate: as on the contrary, it is the property of cold to obſtruct, to thicken, to binde, and to condenſate, the anſwer is eaſie and obvious; wherefore we ſay that heat properly doth not ſtay the Courſes, but onely by accident, as namely by attenuation, diſſipating, and conſuming the thinner parts of the Menſtruum, for any humour is reaſonably conceived to become more drie and thick, when the thinner part thereof is waſted away; and againe, the thicker and dryer it is, it muſt needs be ſo much the more unapt to be expelled: and this is the reaſon that ſturdie women in the Country, who are accuſtomed to labour, and take much paines, and ſuch Virgins, as are of a hot conſtitution, have ver•littl•, or no evacuation this way, becauſe the M•nſtruum is waſted, and vaniſheth by their continuall exerciſe, and paines taking. Secondly, when the moiſture is conſumed away the veſſels are ſo much the more narrow10 and bound up, ſo that there is almoſt no paſſage left for the excluſion of the Courſes.
A cold Diſtemper ſtayeth the Courſes, becauſe it weakneth and colleth the parts, breeds bad humors and obſtructions, ſtraightens the paſſages, obſtructs the conduits, infirmes, and overcooleth the Matrix, and ſo retaines, ſuppreſſeth, and ſtoppeth the Courſes.
Swellings, Impoſthnmes, ſcars, and the like, are all reducible to the inward cauſes; but the moſt u•uall inward cauſe is a ſlow, tough and ſlimy humour, which glewing up, as it were, the veſſells of the Matrix, and thickning the bloud, retaineth the Menſtruum, according to the opinion of Galen, delivered in ſeverall places of his works.
The outward Cauſes are all thoſe things, which any way increaſe a cold juice in the body, as a cold and moiſt Ayre, gluttony, crudities, cold•aths, and an unſeaſonable uſe of them, meats that yield a groſſe nouriſhment, and are hard to digeſt, and ſuch as conſtipate the humours, and thicken the bloud; in which number are thick and ſweet wines, pulſe of all ſorts, white meats made with milke, hard fiſh, and ſalt fleſh, pothearbs, Vineger, Olives, Rice, and the like; alſo an unſeaſonable uſe of Venery, a diſorderly motion of the body, preſently after meates, cold drink,11 ale, and other Pourtents, or liquors which breed ſlow, and thick juices.
You may know when the Menſtruum is, or will ſoon be ſuppreſſed by the relation of the ſick woman, who commonly will make theſe diſcoveries; that ſhe hath no ſtomack to her meat, that for a long time together ſhe hath felt a heavineſſe over all her body, with a paine in her back, her privities, and her Matrix: beſides, you your ſelf may diſcern agreeniſh paleneſs in her face; Sometimes ſhe is troubled with loud belchings, and cruell paines in her belly; but frequently with the head-ach, eſpecially in the forepart of her head, and when the bloud is ſtopped, & putrifies in her body, preſently there ariſeth a Fever, by reaſon of that Sympathy, Communion, or conſent between the Matrix & the other parts.
Many, and irreparable are the inconveniences, and evills, which happen by this ſtoppage of the Courſes, if we may beleeve the great Hippocrates, who in one of his Aphoriſmes ſaith, if the Menſtruum comes away without moderation, diſeaſes follow; but if it comes not away at all, yet then diſeaſes happen alſo from the Matrix: but if it comes away in a due, and naturall manner, it preſerves the woman from all gowtie torments, from paines in her joints,12 from the Pleuriſie, and all other inflammations in her ſides, from the Apoplexy, from the difficulty to fetch her breath, and from looſing her voyce; Women that have not their Courſes, muſt ſeeke for remedies with ſpe•d and prudence; let them betake themſelves to a temperate and movſt Ayre, for if the Ayre be too hot, it waſte•h the bloud, and drawes it upwards from the Matrix; it likewiſe exhauſts the Spirits, and is thought to be a weakner of the body: on the contrary, when the Ayre is too cold, it compels the bloud to retire, it weakens the Matrix, breeds groſſe and thick humours, and locks up the paſſages, ſo that the Menſtruum cannot deſcend, the moſt convenient drinke in this caſe is ſmall Rheniſh wine, if there be a Fever, or, which will be leſſe dangerous, ſmall beere boiled with a little Cinamon, Aniſe, Maydenhaire, or Birthwort.
Her diet ſhould be ſuch as will bee ſoon concocted, and eaſily diſtributed to all the parts; boiled meats are more wholeſome for her then roſ•ed, becauſe theſe dry up the bloud, but they ſoften the body, and keep it moiſt: let her alſo chooſe to feed upon tame creatures rather then wilde, becauſe theſe are more hot and dry, but thoſe are more moiſt and temperate; boyle them13 with red fitches, for the broth that is thus made doth moſt powerfully bring down the Courſes. What meats muſt be avoided hath been ſaid above; but above all things, let her refraine the uſe of ſowre things, becauſe, as Hippocrates hath warned us, they bring paine to the Matrix; it will be good to rub the lower parts of her legs very often, and to tie ſtraight ligatures about them, till they make her complaine of much paine.
Having thus preſcribed her Diet, the next deſigne muſt be to evacuate the Cauſe; this may be done ſeverall wayes, but eſpecially by letting bloud, and ſometimes by purging her body; the Phyſitians have long contended, but very fooliſhly, which vein ſhould be cut: but we omitting the frivoulous alterations on both ſides, conclude with Galen, that when the Courſes are ſtop't, if the ſtrength of the woman will beare it, and the nature of the Diſeaſe require it, the vein in the Ankle muſt alwayes be opened; not in the Arme as Aetius commands; who alſo is backt in that opinion by Gradus, Mercurialis, and Amatus Luſitanus, who was taught by Ruffus to open a vein in a womans arme, to advance the cure; but I cannot approve of that courſe, becauſe rectitude14 muſt ever be obſerved. Galen in his book de Curandi ratione per ſang. miſſ. chapt. 11. inſtead of opening a vein, uſeth Scarification to the domeſticall part, as having the greateſt reſemblance with Phlebotomy, and if theſe things doe not overcome the Diſeaſe, apply Leeches to the Hemorrhoids, to take away the accumulation of melancholy bloud; for they ſuck out the feculent, and dreggiſh humours, impacted in the Matrix, by reaſon that thoſe parts are ſo neere the one to the other.
Zacutus Luſitanus applieth them to the inner part of the Matrix, and boaſteth himſelfe the Author of this kinde of remedy; but whether it be conſonant to reaſon, I leave to conſidering perſons to judge.
There is no doubt but the application of Leeches may be uſefull, becauſe the humour is ſlow, thick and earthy: but in regard that no part is evacuated, till the whole body be firſt purged, therefore I ſhall adviſe you to give her this Purge following, which will worke very gently.
Take three drams of Sena.
Three ſcruples of Agarick.
A dram of Anniſe-ſeeds.
Macerate them together, in a ſufficient quantity of Penniroyall water, for the15 ſpace of a night, to three ounces, in the morning allow them one or two bublings, and to the liquor which you preſſe out, add
Foure drams of Diaphenicon.
Mingle them, and give it her to drinke.
Or of the Electuary make a Bolus.
When the body is purged, and a vein hath been opened, let your Judgement keep company with Galens directions, and prepare the thick humour with this Decoction following.
Take Smallage, Fennell, and Sparagus roots, of each halfe an ounce, the leaves of Hyſope, Pennyroyall, and Birthwort, of each a handfull.
Two drams of Carrotts ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of Barley water, to a quart; to the ſtrained liquor add Syr. de 5. radicibus, and Syr. lupulorum, of each an ounce, mingle them, and make an Apozem. Or
Take the roots of Acorns, and Elecampane, of each two drams.
The leaves of
Two ounces of white Agarick.
An ounce and a halfe of Aniſe ſeeds.
16Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of Fumitary water to a pint: to the liquor which you preſſe out, add
Note that Agarick hath reſpect unto the nervous parts, and that the Syrup of the five roots with vinegar doth hurt the Nerves, becauſe all ſharp things are hurtfull to the Matrix, according to Hippocrates, whoſe Judgement winneth reverence with the beſt Phyſitians.
Fomentations muſt be applyed to the ſmall guts, to the privie parts, and you muſt make them of opening ſimples, and ſuch as will cut into, and make thin the groſſe and thick humours.
Baths and halfetubs prepared of the like ſimples will be very uſefull; and the beſt liniments you can chooſe are made of oyle of Lillies, caſtor, dill, and capers, and the moſt profitable oyntments are unguent. Agrippe, and de Althea, with gums.
After you have gone thus far, you muſt evacuate the bloud, and provoke urine: to which purpoſes preſcribe this Decoction following.
Take the roots of Butchers broome ▪
The roots of Ariſtolochy the round.
Birthwort of each two drams.
The leaves of Penniroyall,
Foure drams of Sena.
Two ounces of white agarick.
Foure ounces of Hermodactyls.
An ounce and a halfe of Epithymum.
Aniſe and fennill ſeeds, of each an ounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water, to a pint and a halfe, to the ſtrained liquor being hard preſt, add two ounces of the beſt honey, mingle them, and make an Apozem.
Every other morning let her drink foure ounces of this faſting, and in the meane time ſtrengthen her belly, and her Matrix, with fomentations that are good to expell winde: you may make them of the Simples aforeſaid, with the powders Dianis, Diacumin, Diagalang. and the like.
You muſt provoke the Menſtruum with Peſſaries, made of the juyce of Mercury, Cucumbers, Reſtharrow, unſalted butter, Hogsgreaſe, the gall of an Oxe, Sagapenum, Ammoniacum,18 Caſtor, Aſſa-fetida, and the like. Perfumes made with ſpices bring down the Courſes, if the ſteame or vapour of them be conveighed into the Matrix; or you may appoin•little Trochiſhs to be made with rue, ariſtolochy, Caſtor, aſſa fetida, Sagapenum, and turpentine, which being caſt upon hot burning coles they will ſmoke, and that ſmoke will ſpeedily bring down her Courſes, if it be received up thorow a tunnell.
You muſt make an iſſue in her leg, that the Matrix may exhale, and the thick humours may be purged out.
Such Compoſitions as have ſteele in them will be moſt effectuall, for it is manifeſt by experience, that ſteele is good to cut into, and make thin the thick and ſlow humours, to open obſtructions, to bring down the Courſes, to provoke urine, and to free the veſſels from all matter that ſtop them: and all theſe things it performes by manfeſt qualities inherent in it, and not by the ponderoſity, or heavineſſe thereof ▪ as ſome have conjectured.
Severall Authors have deviſed ſeverall preparations of it; but we alwayes uſed to prepare it after this manner following.
Take a pound of Steele filed into a moſ•fine duſt, waſh it in Pennyroyall water diſtilled,19 till the water look pure and cleare, then put it into a glaſſe Viol, pouring upon it a ſufficient quantity of Vinegar, made with Penniroyall: ſet it in the Sun thirty dayes, ſtirring it about every ſeventh day, afterwards dry it, weare it to a moſt ſubtle powder in a Marble morter, ſift it, and keep it for your uſe; the Doſe, or quantity hereof to be taken, is a dram with wormewood wine, or Rheniſh wine, or with Hydromel.
Note, that we adviſedly make uſe of the vinegar aforenamed, becauſe the uſe and vertue of Steele is to unlock obſtructions; and Vinegar hath a faculty to penetrate, make thin, and cut aſunder the thickeſt humours, and therefore by the help thereof the Steele is with the more expedition tranſmitted to the remoteſt parts of the body.
Yet if the patient be troubled with a hot diſtemper in her Liver, ſtomack, or ſpleen, or if you diſcerne any weakneſſe in her inward parts, then prepare the ſteele with Roſewater, or whey of Goats milke.
When ſhe hath taken the ſteele, let her walke an houre after it; for exerciſe opens the pores, and thereby the Medicine is the more eaſily diſtributed: when ſhe hath obſerved20 this injunction, let her lie down till ſhe begin to ſweat, or if ſhe finde in her ſelfe a diſpoſedneſſe, let her ſleep: afterwards give her to eat, but her meat ſhould rather be roſted, then boyl'd, and for her drink, allow her ſmall wine, or wine prepared with ſteele.
I doe not judge it meet to determine any time for the continuance of theſe Rules, and precepts, onely in generall, I hold it convenient to uſe them, till the Patient be more apt, and diſpoſed for exerciſe, till ſhe can walke without any lazy complaint of wearineſſe, till her lips begin to look of a more lively colour, till no obſtruction be perceiveable by the touch, and in a word, till the urine, which was thin, pale, and diſcoloured, appeare reddiſhlike unto the urine of a healthfull woman.
The Spring time is the moſt convenient to undertake this Cure; for then the humours are moſt apt to flow, which in the Winter are congealed, and impacted in the ſeverall parts; and in the Summer time it will not be altogether ſo proper to begin the Cure, for then thorough the immoderate heat o•the ſeaſon, the humours doe daily threaten to precipitate the ſick woman into a fever.
21If the woman be weake in her body, let her refraine from exerciſe, and reſt her ſelfe upon her bed, and after the ſpace of a full houre, let her body be diligently rubbed, till it looke red, that the faculties of the ſteele may be actuated, and aſſiſted in their operation; for Galen in his book de Puero Epileptico and the fourth Chapter ſaith, that the rubbing of the body ſupplies the want of exerciſe, becauſe it attenuateth and cuteth the humours, unlocks the obſtructions, quickens, and kindles the naturall heat, and diſſolves the peccant matter.
Many mingle ſteele prepared with Conſerves, and Syrups; Some make Lozenges thereof, and ſo doe we alſo; eſpecially when the Patient refuſeth Wine, or Conſerves, and the like: for in ſome caſes we muſt allow pardon to the queazineſſe of the ſick, and humour the Palate with a ſafe indulgence.
The powders Diarhod. Abbat, Dialacca, and Diacucurma, are very good to open the paſſages which are ſtop't, and therefore you may prudently mingle them among the ingredients for the Lozenges aforeſaid.
Here perhaps you will ſtart this queſtion; if heat provokes to ſtoole, and brings down the urine, if it attenuates, cuts into22 the humours, and open the obſtructions; why doe Phyſitians unanimouſly command the ſtaying of a looſeneſſe, or an Iſſue of bloud, in what part of the body ſoever it happen, and to that intent preſcribe water, or wine, or beer, wherein ſteele hath been quenched, thereby to make it more binding, and more apt to ſtay any flux? I anſwer, that ſteele is indued with thoſe qualities I readily grant; but the Method which is obſerved in the uſe of ſteele doth cleerely demonſtrate a diverſity of faculties to be in it: wherefore if your aime and intention be to open the obſtructions, drinke the wine when the ſteele hath been once, twice, or thrice quenched in it; but if you deſire it ſhould binde, then preſcribe it to be taken after the ſixth, or ſeventh quenching; for the firſt water or wine openeth, becauſe in that lieth the fiery quality; but the other bindeth, becauſe in that conſiſts the earthy part: neither ſhall you need to wonder, that ſeverall and contrary qualities ſhould lie concealed in one, and the ſame minerall, mettall, or ſimple, ſeeing that by daily experience we have a demonſtrative certainty of the truth thereof; for thus Aloe•hath an Emplaſtick and an opening quality:23 thus Rubarb both binds and purgeth.
Now you muſt note that theſe Simples are called hot and cold, as they have hot or cold parts predominant in them: thus we conclude endive to be cold, becauſe the parts thereof are more moiſt then bitter, and we ſay Rubarb is hot, becauſe it hath a nitrous, fiery, purging quality predominant in it, above the earthy, binding, and cold parts.
Chriſtopherus a Vega, a man otherwiſe very learned, ſeemes to my underſtanding to forſake the offers of reaſon, in ſaying that ſteele is unprofitable, becauſe he never ſaw any woman, who had not her Courſes, or who was troubled with obſtructions, cured by the meanes of this Remedy; but truly, if it doth not ſometimes totally 'ſubdue the evill, yet the fault muſt not therefore conſequently be charged upon the Medicine, becauſe the Matrix is ſometimes vitiated by an habituall diſtemper, or elſe the obſtructions thereof are ſo many, or ſo ſtubborne, that ſometimes they d•ſtroy the ſick woman; and if it doe not fall out ſo, yet is it an undeniable truth which the Poet tells us,
Non eſt in Medico ſemper relevetur ut Aeger, Interdum docta plus valet arte malum.
24That is,
The Doctour cannot ſtill ſucceſſefull be, Sometimes the evill gets the victory.
THis diſeaſe is contrary to the former; for as in that the Menſtruum is too long retained, ſo in this they run too long.
There is alſo this difference between them: the one proceedeth from a hot diſtemper, the other from a cold one.
This we now treat on, is produced by twofold cauſe, the one inward, and th•other outward.
The inward Cauſe is a hot diſtemper o•the Liver, whereby the bloud growes hot thin, boyling in the veſſells, and opening them, ſo that the Menſtruum is purged out, before the uſuall and due time.
The outward Cauſe is that which heateth and inflames the bloud, and withal makes it thin, as vehement and ſturdy exerciſes, penſiveneſſe, and immoderate care of the minde, exceſſive anger, and thought buſied upon revenge: a cuſtome of eatin•25meats that are hot in their quality, namely, ſuch as are full of pepper, and ſalt, bibing of wine, and ſtrong drinks, too much bathing of the body, long watchings, fiting in the Sun overmuch, or by the fire ſide, &c.
You may eaſily make your ſelfe acquainted with the ſignes by converſing with, and queſtioning the ſick woman, beſides, you may of your ſelfe obſerve, that the Patient is much weakned, in regard that the parts are deprived of the pureſt portion, and the moſt laudable ſubſtance of the bloud, by which the life of a Creature is prolonged; women thus affected are very ſad, and melancholy, by reaſon that the bloud faileth, which otherwiſe containes a ſpirit in it, that makes them cheerefull and lively, they grow leane and feeble, ſcarceable to ſtand upon their legs, they are apt to Nauſeate, and forſake their meat, they are bound in their bodies, and grow puft, and ſwel'd up; they are troubled with weakneſſe in their ſtomacks, they cannot digeſt their meat, their eye-lids ſink inwards, the calfes of their legs ſwell, and their outward parts look pale, and diſcoloured: yea, by degrees the whole radicall moiſture, and inborne preſervative decayeth26 and the Patient periſheth.
Wherefore make no delay, but immediately oppoſe all your helps of Art to the ſubduing of the Diſeaſe; let her be lodged in an ayre that is cold and dry, and let her not be expoſed to any ayre by night: ſtrew coole hearbs about her chamber, and let her avoid the ayre which is hot, becauſe it rarifies the bloud, makes it thin and wateriſh, and alſo inflames, and overheats it.
She muſt forbear the uſe of hot meats, as Leeks, Onyons, Watercreſſes, Origanum, and the like; let her likewiſe refraine from feeding upon ſpiced meats, and ſuch as breed a thin juyce; Rice boyled with ſheepsfeet is good for her: and ſo are roſted Quinces, Medlars, and Services.
Three houres after Supper, let her take fine flower, or pure Bisket diſſolved in Plantane, or Roſewater, and ſweetned with Sugar.
Give her no wine, unleſſe it be ſowre, and binding red wine; but it will be more profitable to give her water, wherein gun tragacanth hath been boiled, and perfume•with Maſtick, beere in which ſteele hath been infuſed will be profitable for her about the third, or fourth day, for this drin•27hath a binding faculty without heating.
But the opening of a vein twice, or thrice in a day, obtaines the preheminence from all other remedies, according to the judgment of Galen, becauſe it drawes back the humour more forcibly to the upper parts when it is often repeated, then when it is done all at once; heare him in his own words. Quantò majorem in numerum particulares auxeris detractiones, tantò efficaciorem revulſionem efficies, that is, the oftner you open a vein, taking away a ſmall quantity of bloud at a time, ſo much more effectuall will the Revulſion be; for when the bloud is allured to the contrary part by theſe frequent iterations; Nature is accuſtomed to ſummon the bloud to the upper parts: and thus that ordinary ſaying among the Doctors may properly be underſtood, that one flux cureth another.
Hippocrates commendeth a large Cuppinglaſs applied to the breaſts; and very deſervedly, becauſe there is a great conſent and Simpathy between the veins of the Matrix, and thoſe of the Breaſts.
Moreover, you muſt preſcribe ſuch things as are of tried, and known vertue, to thicken the bloud, ſyrup of Poppy, Quinces, dried Roſes, Myrtles, and the like.
28We uſually preſcribe this Draught following for the ſick, and we muſt add this to its commendation, that it ſeldome faileth in its operation.
Two ſcruples of boiled Rubarb.
A ſcruple of Citron myrobalans.
Halfe an ounce of ſyrup of Quinces.
Two ounces, and a halfe of Plant ane water.
Mingle them, and let her drink it.
Divers Authors, as Rondeletius, Hollerius, Amatus Luſitanus, and others condemn th•boiling of Rubarb; and the reaſon is this ▪ as things ſay they, become more milde ▪ and weake in their operations, when they have paſt the fire; ſo thoſe things which ar•gentle, become more vehement, having acquired a new kinde of faculty by the forc•of the fire: this I grant moſt willingly, bu•in the meane time they purge leſſe, an•binde more, which we deſire, and as fo•any corrupt quality, which the power o•the fire may have contributed to it, that i•eaſily waſht away by the help of Plantan•water, or the juice of Quinces, if you demand whither this humour ſhould be prepared? I anſwer, evacuate it without any delay, for you muſt not expect, or wai•the concoction thereof.
29Binding Glyſters will be very uſefull; you may make them after this manner.
Take foure drams of the roots of Conſolida major.
The leaves of plantane and horſetayle, of each a handfull.
Halfe a handfull of red Roſes.
Two drams of ſhaled Peaſe.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of plantane water, to nine ounces; to the ſtrained liquor add a dram of the Trochiſchs de Carabe, two ounces of ſyrup of Roſes made with dried Roſes.
The whites of two Eggs.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter. Or
Take foure drams of the greater Comphrey roots.
The leaves of knotgraſſs, and plantane, of each a handfull.
As many red Roſes as your thumb, and two fingers can take up.
Sumach and Quince ſeeds, of each two drams.
Three drams of barley parched, and beaten to a groſſe powder.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of plantane water to nine ounces.
To the ſtrained liquor add two ounces of ſyrup of Myrtles.
30A dram of terra ſigillata.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter.
After theſe glyſters are injected, anoint the Matrix with aſtringent oyntments; Take as many plantane leaves as you can graſp between your thumb and two fingers at twice.
Red Roſes.
Mulberry leaves.
Oake leaves, of each halfe the quantity aforeſaid.
A dram of Sumach ſeeds.
Boile them gently in foure pints of oyle of Quinces.
Straine and preſſe the liquor hard, and then put in
True Bolearmanick,
Trochiſchs de Carabe, of each a dram.
With a ſufficient quantity of white wax, make a ſoft oyntment, according to art, or
Take two ounces of unguentum Comitiſſe.
Oyle of myrtles, and oyle of quinces, of each two drams.
Mingle them, and make a liniment.
You muſt likewiſe bath the Matrix with fomentations made after this manner.
Take the leaves of plantane,
Knotgraſſe,
Oake leaves.
31Red Roſes, of each a handfull.
The ſeeds of plantane, Sumach.
Quinces, of each three drams.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of red wine, or water wherein ſteele hath been quenched to three pints: uſe the ſtrained liquor as was ſaid above.
That which remaines after the ſtraining may be kept for a Poultis, unto which you may add oyle of quinces, and unguentum Comitiſſe, of each two ounces, and mingling them together, you have an excellent Poultis.
But if the diſeaſe yield not to theſe Remedies, you may exhibit half a dram of new Treacle, or Philonium Perſicum, or a ſcruple of the maſſe of Pils de Cynogloſſa; if the Patient incline to a Conſumption, give her Cowes milk prepared rightly with ſteele, to drink in a morning faſting; if the evill ſtill perſevere, and you ſuſpect the heat of the Liver to be the Cauſe of the diſeaſe, make an iſſue in her leg, that the Liver may exhale at that vent, and the other bowells may evaporate, or elſe let her goe into a Bath, the waters whereof run from an iron Mine; for theſe naturally binde and thicken.
AS the urine irritates the expulſive faculty, ſo many times doth the Menſtruum, for as that, when it is too hot, doth prick, burn, and is frequently piſt out, ſo the Menſtruum being vehemently hot, doth cauſe an itch, and an irritation, and produceth a Diſeaſe, which the Doctours call Stillicidium Ʋterinum, which we may engliſh, to be a coming away of the Courſes by drops.
The Diſeaſe proceeds from the ſame Cauſes, as doth the immoderate ▪ flowing of the Courſes: therefore the ſame Remedies will be alſo proper to overcome them; yet in this preſent cure you need not preſcribe ſo many Remedies, nor ſo often.
When any notable Symptomes accompanie this Diſeaſe, as a vehement burning, torments in the Matrix, a paine about the ſecret parts, it is called the Stillicide, or Dropping of the Matrix, from a ſharp humour,33 ariſing through the hot diſtemper of the Liver, and the Kidneys; and whereas it takes beginning from a hot diſtemper, from whence ſharpe, hot, and fiery humours are generated, your Method muſt be firſt to root out the Cauſe, and then to cure the diſtemper; wherefore her body muſt be cooled, her bloud muſt be thickned, and the Flux muſt be drawn back to the upper parts; this is done by a coole Ayre, by giving her whey to drinke, wherein ſteele hath been often quenched; and laſtly, you may preſcribe for her the cold thickning Dyet, which we have ſet down above.
You may let her bloud in both armes, and appoint the opening of the veine called Salvatella; Leeches muſt be applied to the Hemorrhoids, that the aduſt and melancholly bloud may be drawn out. Purge her often with Rubarb and Caſſia, Syrupe of Violets, Citron Myrobalaus, Manna, Tamarinds, Diaprun ſumpl. and the like Simples which gently bring away choler. Cooling and thickning Juleps will be very neceſſary, which you may make after this manner.
Take twelve ounces of plantane water.
Foure ounces of Roſe water.
Two ounces of Syrupe of the juice of Quinces.
34Mingle them, and make a Julep, or
Take the waters of Plantane,
Purſelane, of each eight ounces,
Syrup of Poppy,
Syrupe of reſtharrow, of each an ounce and a half.
Mingle them, and make a Julep.
If the chiefeſt fault lie in the Kidneys,
Take ten ounces of Bean water diſtilled.
The waters of Plantane.
Mallowes, of each two ounces.
Syrupe of Myrtles.
Syrupe of Poppy, of each an ounce.
A ſcruple and a halfe of Lapis Prunelle.
Mingle them, and make a Julep.
But note, if the Patient have a hot Liver, and a cold ſtomack, it will be convenient to leſſen the quantity of the diſtilled mallow water, or to preſcribe an equall part of Roſe water, the vertue whereof ſtrengthens the inward parts.
Baths made with binding Simples, are highly profitable in this Diſeaſe; for they doe not onely attemper the ſharpneſſe of the humours, but they drive the humours to the outward parts, and ſo defend and fortifie the Matrix from that annoyance, which they threatned unto it, and in a while the Flux is ſtayed.
35Whey, although it be Diureticall, and provoke urine, yet when ſteele is quenched in it, it is wonderfull wholſome for her: as Hippocrates affi•meth concerning the Son of Erotelaus, lying ſick of a bloudy Flux, for when he had drunk whey, in which red hot flints were quenched, his evacuations were more moderate, although they were bloudy, and in a ſhort time they ended; here is to be noted, that whey although upon a ſlight conſideration, it may ſeeme to be Diureticall, and•o to provoke rather then to ſtay the flux, yet if ſteele be frequently quenched in it, till the thin and fiery parts thereof be waſted away, it ſtayeth the Flux.
If theſe Remedies prevaile not to perfect the Cure, I ſhall counſell you to make an Iſſue upon the knee, for this being kept open, the corrupt humours are evacuated, without any decay of the ſpirits, which otherwiſe doe many times produce grievous and vehement Symptomes; we have ſpoken of the coming away of the Menſtruum by Drops, with the terrible Symptome which accompanies it, namely, a vehement and inſupportable paine, but becauſe this paine proceeds from divers cauſes, the Cure muſt be alſo diverſified.
Women therefore which are of a cold36 Conſtitution, eſpecially if they be young, prone to Venery, Black, and Hairy, muſt be purged, that the Cauſe may be taken away, and therefore their bodies muſt be firſt prepared before you can hope to appeaſe the paine.
You may evacuate the humour with Diaphenicon, Benedicta laxativa, or with Pills of Hiera: and you may prepare the humour with ſmallage, and fennill roots, with agrimony and Motherwort leaves, boiled in water wherein ſteele hath been quenched with Rhodomel.
The paine muſt be appeaſed with unguent. Populeum, unto which you may add a few graines of opium; or elſe you may apply fomentations to the head.
A vein alſo muſt be opened, as we have ſhewed you above.
If a woman or Virgin have the whites, which come away of a thick and fattiſh ſubſtance, you muſt proceede as in the former Cure; but you muſt be exceeding cautious how you let bloud, for ſuch bodies are full of raw humours, by reaſon whereof the ſpirits are much exhauſted, and her body is weake and infirme, according to the Judgement of Galen, in his book de Sanguin. miſſione. chap. 11. wherefore in ſuch37 caſes, I counſell the Patient to goe to the Spaw waters, or ſome other of the like Nature; for they purge away the thick humour both by ſiege and by urine, but eſpecially the melancholy juice, which is the cauſe of this diſeaſe.
A Decoction of China and Sa•zapavilla cannot be improper, nor Leeches applied to the Hemorrhoids. Note that the Caul of a Ram or Weather newly killed, muſt be laid to the affected part, being firſt anointed with oyle of Caſtor; for as the skull of a man is good againſt the Falling Sickneſſe, and the Lungs of a Fox againſt the ſtoppage of the pipes, by a ſpecificall vertue, or hidden ſimilitude, ſo is this good for the ſtomack, and the Loynes.
The Whites are defined to be a laſting diſtillation from the Matrix, however it be affected; for Nature indevoureth to expell that ſuperfluous, moiſt, and excrementi•ious bloud thorough the Matrix, and even at the ſame time disburtheneth the body from this unprofitable and offenſive humour.
This evill is reckoned among the Symptomes of thoſe things, which are immoderately expelled out of the body, the Cauſes whereof are divers; for ſometimes a predominancy38 of choler, ſometimes a phlegmatick juice; many times melancholy, and very often bloud is evacuated; this is eaſily known, becauſe a ſnottie kinde of humour drops, and diſtills continually from the Matrix, which if it be red, it proceeds from bloud; if white, from phlegme, if yellow, it takes beginning from choler.
The ſick woman complaines of a general weakneſſe over all the parts of the body, her legs and eyelids are ſwelled, ſhe cannot digeſt her meat, her ſtomack failes her, ſhe is lazie, and loves no exerciſe, and cares not to ſtir up and down; ſo that at length her ſtrength decayeth, and her ſpirits faile, through the abundance of bloud which hath come from her: wherefore this diſeaſe calls for early help, leaſt it degenerate, as not ſeldome it doth, into a Dropſey, or a Conſumption, or the like terrible Diſeaſes.
If the body therefore abound with much bloud, let a veine be opened in the arme, to draw back the courſe of the humour, which is haſtening from all parts of the body to the Matrix. Thus we read that Galen cured the wife of Boetius, unto whom•other Phyſitians had prepoſterouſly preſcribed Medicines without opening a•veine.
39Afterwards you muſt prepare the phlegmatick humour with a decoction of wormewood, unto which add Syr. of Roſes, or Syr. de artemiſia, the cholerick humour muſt be prepared with a decoction of endive, ſorrell, unto which may be added Oxyſaccarum, or Syrup. de ſucco Cichorii; if it be a Melancholy humour, prepare it with a decoction of Fumitary, Buglos, unto which add Syr. of Fumitary, and Syr. Lupuli.
Then expell the humour with ſome gentle purge; if it be phlegmatick,
Take three ſcruples of white agarick Trochiſcht.
Two ſcruples of the root of Mechoacha.
A dram of Anniſe ſeeds.
Macerate them the ſpace of a night, in a ſufficient quantitie of fennill water; in the morning to two ounces and a halfe of the liquor which you preſſe out, add
Three drams of Diacarthamum.
Halfe an ounce of Diacnicum.
Mingle them together for a Potion.
If Cholerick humours abound in the body, Take two drams and a halfe of the beſt Rubarb.
Citron myrobalans.
Cinamon, of each a ſcruple.
Macerate them a whole night in a ſufficient40 quantity of endive water, preſſe them with all your might, and add
An ounce and a halfe of Syrupe of roſes laxative.
Mingle them, and give it her to drinke in the morning.
If Melancholy humours be predominant.
Take two drams and a halfe of Sena.
A dram of Anniſe ſeeds.
Macerate them over night, in a ſufficient quantity of fumitary water, in the morning preſſe out the liquor, and add
To two ounces and a halfe of the liquor ſtrained and preſt,
Two drams of Confectio Hamech.
Halſe an ounce of Syrup of fumitary.
Mingle them for a Potion.
If the Diſeaſe yield not to theſe Medicines, expell the humour by an Epicraſis, that is, by ſome Decoction, that by degrees will digeſt, open, and eva•uate the humour, and alſo mightily provoke urine; this Apozem following hath all theſe vertues.
As much Epithymum as you can graſpe between your thumb and two fingers.
Two drams of Anniſe ſeed.
Macerate them together a whole night, in two pints of barley water, upon hot embers, in the morning allow them one or two gentle bublings, and when you have ſtrained them, add
Syrupe of fumitary.
Syrupe of roſes laxative, of each an ounce.
Mingle them for an Apozem.
Every other morning let her have foure ounces of it faſting.
If all theſe things prove ineffectuall, infuſe a whole night ſix graines of Antimony in wine, and let her drinke it, if her body be ſtrong enough to abide the conflict of the medicine: for beſides that, it draws back the humours from the Matrix, by provoking to Vomit, it likewiſe purgeth away by ſtool that tenacious, phlegmatick, and thick humour which is the cauſe of the Diſeaſe.
Wormewood beere is not unwholſome for her, or inſtead thereof, preſcribe to her, beer wherein China roots have been infuſed,42 for this diſperſeth the humour to the skin, and dries up the ſuperfluous moiſture; for the ſame purpoſe, we adviſe, with Galen, that a Bath of hot ſand be prepared; that after the uſe thereof the body be well rubbed, and anointed with honey heated by the fire; then, as we preſcribed above, make an Iſſue in her knee.
THe Complication of the Menſtruum with other Diſeaſes is hard to be known, and not eaſie to be cured; for if any woman be ſick of any Diſeaſe, and if her Courſes be ſuppreſt, or appeare not, the Phyſitians are at a ſtand, what is moſt fit, during this Judication, to be done, for if we follow the motions of Nature, who worketh rightly, and open a vein in the ankle, this will not cure the Diſeaſe, which is rooted in the upper parts.
And if you draw bloud from the arme, you pervert the courſe and order of Nature, to the great diſadvantage of the ſick43 woman. But you will ſay, in ſuch a caſe as this, what is to be done? I ſhall tell you in few words.
The Diſeaſe is either vehement, or moderate, and of long continuance; if the Courſes appeare, or come down, in a diſeaſe of long continuance, you may defer the opening of a vein till a more convenient ſeaſon, be it either a vein in the arme, or in the ankle, which you intended to cut, for you can doe no hurt by omitting, or at leaſt ſuſpending this remedy.
But if the Diſeaſe be acute, and require a ſpeedy evacuation; you muſt obſerve whither the Menſtruum be anſwerable to the plentie of bloud which abounds in the body; if her Courſes come down, according to the preſcription of Hippocrates, you muſt not be buſie, but leave the whole matter to Nature; of the ſame opinion is Galen alſo, for, ſaith he, if at that time when you are letting bloud, it ſhould ſo fall out, that her Courſes come down, or that ſhe ſhould on a ſudden have the Piles, you muſt deſiſt from phlebotomy, and commit the whole buſineſſe to Nature, if you are ſatisfied that the Menſtruum commeth away in a ſufficient quantity; but otherwiſe take from her ſo much bloud, as may make44 good the deficiency of her Courſes.
But if a burning Fever be upon her, if ſhe have not her Courſes according to cuſtome, and to the ſatisfaction of her own deſires, then this defect muſt be ſupplied with medicines, by opening a veine in her ankle, applying Cuppinglaſſes with ſcarification to the calfes of her legs, or Leeches to the Hemorrhoids, to take away the ſuperfluity of the bloud.
One thing muſt be conſidered, namely, if a woman after her delivery have a burning Fever upon her, her Courſes actually flowing, whither it be lawfull, in regard of the vehemence of the Fever, to open the upper veines? Fernelius, Valeriola, Amatus Luſitanus, and divers others of good account, aſſent the lawfulneſſe and expediency thereof; for although ſome have imagined, that if the upper veines be opened, the bloud will aſcend to the upper parts; yet if it be true which they imagine, more profit and advantage will accrew thereby to the ſick woman, then hurt or danger; for when a veine in the ankle is cut, although it bring down the Courſes, and ſupply the defective motion of Nature, in reſpect of the part particularly affected; yet is it not equally prevalent againſt a moſt vehement infl•mmation,45 nor altogether ſo profitable in a moſt acute diſeaſe; becauſe the bloud muſt be drawn out from ſome veſſell, that is nearer to the part affected, that the conjunctive cauſe may be taken away, and although by cutting a vein in the ankle, we can draw the whole maſſe of bloud out of the body, yet the bloud is not ſo fitly taken from one part, as from another; for in a Quinſey, or a Pleuriſey, 'tis more commodious to open the Baſilick veine to temper the heat, then any other veine in the whole body.
THe Breaſts are naturally thin, ſpongy, or fungous, and looſe; for this reaſon they are apt to entertaine any crude, and melancholy humours, flowing to them either from the Matrix, or from any other parts; theſe, if they are not rightly, and duly expelled, they breed painefull, yea malignant and cankerd Ʋlcers: wherefore you muſt addreſſe your ſelfe to the Cure, without any truce or delay; and this conſiſts46 in three things; in preſcribing a Diet, in the manuall operations of Surgery, and in outward and inward Medicines.
Let her therefore make choiſe of a pure ayre, let her drink be ſmall beer boiled with anniſe and ſnakeweed; let her meat be of good concoction, and eaſie diſtribution, as Mutton broth, Cock broth, and roſted Chickens; let her avoid meats that thicken the bloud, as milke, cheeſe, bacon, fiſh, and the like; open a veine, if ſhe have not her Courſes, in her ankle, or cut the Baſilic•veine twice or thrice, to eaſe the Liver, the Spleen, and the Kidneys, as the multitude o•bloud ſhall require it.
Note that the humour muſt be prepared and attempted with this Apozem.
Take the roots of Succhory,
Polipody, of each an ounce.
The barke of the root of the Caper, an•
Tamarisk tree, of each halfe an ounce.
The leaves of Buglos,
Two drams of Fennill ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantitie o•barley water to two pints, and to the ſtrained liquor add
Syrupe of Borage,
47Syrupe of•umitary, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Ten graines of Spirit of Vitriol.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem.
Becauſe the humour is thick and dreggiſh, you muſt purge her body ſeverall times, till it be perfectly cleanſed, this may be done with this decoction following.
Take an ounce of Polypody of the oake.
The leaves Fumitary,
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of Barley water, to two pints, and in the ſtrained liquor infuſe a whole night,
An ounce of Sena.
Foure drams of Rubarb.
Agarick Troch.
Creame of Tartar, of each two drams.
Epithymum, and
The flowers of borage, buglos, and roſemary, of each as many as you can graſp between your thumb and two fingers at twice ▪
Two drams of anniſe ſeeds.
In the morning give it one or two bublings,48 ſtraine and preſſe it, and to the liquor, add
Germander, of each halfe a handfull.
As much Epithymum, as you can contain•between your thumb and two fingers.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantitie o•whey, to a pint, and a halfe, infuſe for•night in the ſtrained liquor
Six drams of Sena.
Two drams of white Agarick.
A dram and a half of anniſe ſeeds.
In the morning preſſe out the liquo•hard, and add
Confectio Hamech and Diacricu will b•highly profitable; ſo alſo are Pils de Lapi•Lazuli.
Sometimes you may preſcribe glyſters, t•temper the melancholy humour; as for example.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantitie of barley water to nine ounces: in the ſtrained liquor put in
As much Epithymum as you can take up, between your thumb and two fingers.
Two drams of fennill ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantitie of Cock broth to nine ounces, to the ſtrained••quor add
Leeches applied to the Fundament may much promote the Cure.
50The event may likewiſe gratifie your•riall, if you preſcribe Cordials, Treacle, Mi•hridate, Lozenges of Pearle, Alkermes, and the like: which with their coldneſſe, dryneſſe, and cordiall vertue, retaine the ſpirits, correct the bloud, even when it is putrifying, and preſerve the bowells in their due Symmetry, and naturall conſtitution; Note, that you may not forget to waſh her legs, with a decoction of Hops, Violets, Fumitary, Roſes, Mallowes, and Vine leaves.
If by the advantage of time it prove a•cankerd, and a creeping Ʋlcer, you muſt not vex, and diſcompoſe the Patient with many, or ſtrong Medicines, but you muſ•inſtitute a palliative Cure; for Gale•boaſteth that he thus cured a woman who had a Cancer in her breaſt, for whe•the thinner part was brought away, i•became thicker, more full of putrefaction, and ſubject to exulcerate; for it i•undenyable, as the ſame Author affirmeth•that the vehemence of the remedies inflam•the humor, and ſet it on fire, by that acrimo•nius quality, which is naturally in them.
Almoſt all Authors agree that Iſſues an•convenient, for they ſupply the ſtead o•Purges, and Phlebotomy, as Guido a good write•witneſſeth in his book de Cauteriis.
THat Diſeaſe which we commonly call the Mother, the Phyſitians terme the Strangulation, or Suffocation of the Matrix, and ſometimes the Aſcent of the Matrix. Ga••took it to be a drawing back of the Ma•ix, to the upper parts. Hereupon ſome of52 the Ancients conceived the Matrix, to b•ſome ſtragling Creature, wandring too and fro thorough ſeverall parts, to which phantaſticall conceit, Fernelius, Eugenius, and Laurentius, contributed a credulou•Aſſent; for though a woman be dead, yet can you not with an ordinary ſtrength remove the Matrix from the naturall place; neither is that reaſon, which Fernelius alledgeth, of any moment, who ſaith, that in theſe diſeaſes he hath toucht it upwards, ſeeing that this is not the true Matrix, but a groſſe, windie ſwelling, of a roundiſh figure, and ſomewhat reſembling the Matrix; you will ſay the Matrix doth remove, and ſlip from its proper place; I grant it, for by reaſon of the moiſture, wherewith thoſe parts abound, the Matrix is looſened, and exceedingly ſtretched: and this is the truth of the whole matter.
The Cauſe of this Diſeaſe is twofold: the Retention of the Seed, and the Menſtruum, which are the materiall cauſe: and a cold and moiſt diſtemper of the Matrix, breeding phlegmatick and thick juices, which is the efficient cauſe: for when the Seed is retained, and the Menſtruum hath not the cuſtomary, and uſuall vent, they burthen the Matrix, and choak, and extinguiſh53 the heat thereof: then upon the diminiſhing of the naturall heat, windy humours are bred, eſpecially in the Matrix, which by nature is a cold, nervous, and bloudleſſe part; after the ſame manner, if the ſeed be kept too long, it diſturbeth the Function of the ſpiritous parts, and the Midriffe, it oppreſſeth the heart, cauſeth fainting and ſounding fits, bindeth as it were, and girteth about the parts, and ſeemes in ſuch a manner to ſtop the breath, that the ſick woman is in danger to be ſtrangled: her puls is ſometimes weake, various, and obſcure: ſhe hath inward diſcontents and anxieties, and is moſt commonly invaded by, at leaſt very ſubject unto Convulſion fits: ſhe lies, as if ſhe were aſtoniſhed and void of ſenſe: and from her belly you may heare rumbling, and murmuring noiſes; ſhe breatheth ſo weakly, that it is ſcarce diſcernable, and indeed ſhe is ſo ſad an object, that the by-ſtanders may ea•ily miſtake her to be dead. The drowſie and ſleepy diſeaſe called Carus differs from this, becauſe they who are affected with it, have the uſe of their breath free, without any moleſtation: and it differs from a Cata•pſy (another drowſie diſeaſe, caſting the••ck into a profound and dead ſleep) becauſe45 they who are taken with that, li•without any motion, but they who hav•the mother, are tormented with Convulſio•fits, their legs and their hands are ſtretche•and wrythed into unuſuall figures, an•ſtrange poſtures; and by this it is diſtinguiſhed from an Apoplexy, unto which it is exceeding like.
Galen wondreth how theſe women ca•live, who are•roubled with theſe crue•fits of the Mother, without any puls, o•breathing, in as much as it is impoſſible fo•one that liveth not to breath, or for on•that breatheth not, to live; for ſo long•we live, ſo long we breath. To this I anſwe•that although theſe women live withou•reſpiration, yet doe they not live without tranſpiration; for this being performed thorough the pores of the skin, by th•motion of the arteries, conſerves the ſym•metry of the vitall heat; for then tha•ſmall heat retiring to the heart, as to Caſtle, may bepreſerved by this benefit o•tranſpiration alone.
Now to procure an aſſurance, whith•the woman be living or dead, hold a feather, or a lo•king-glaſſe to her mouth, the former ſtir, or the latter be ſpotted it is an undoubted ſigne that ſhe liveth.
55This is a moſt acute Diſeaſe, and ſoone diſpatcheth the ſick woman, eſpecially if it took beginning from ſomevery contagious, and poiſonous vapours; lecherous women, and luſty widowes that are prone, and apt to Venery, are moſt ſubject to it: but married women that injoy the company of their husbands, and ſuch as are with childe, are ſeldome invaded by it.
You muſt apply your Remedies in the••t, and after the fit: in the fit, the humour•uſt be drawn back with rubbing the parts,•ying painfull Ligatures about them, and•pplying Cuppinglaſſes, with ſcariffication to•he calfes of her legs: have ſuch Glyſters in•eadineſſe, as will take away the paine, diſ•olve, draw back, and purge out the thick•umours: you may compound them by•heſe formes following.
Take halfe an ounce of Elecampane roots.
The leaves of rue, penniroyall, Motherwort,•nd pellitory of the wall, of each a hand•ull.
Three drams of ſena.
Bran, Camomile flowers, and the tops of Dill, of each halfe a handfull.
Baſtard Saffron, and Anniſe ſeeds, of each•wo drams.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantitie of56 birthwort water to nine ounces, to the ſtrained liquor being ſqueezed, and preſ•very hard, add
Diaphenicon, and benedicta laxativa, of each an ounce.
Oyle of dill, and oyle of rue, of each ſ•drams.
Halfe an ounce of butter.
A dram and a halfe of ſalt.
Mingle them, and make a Glyſter.
Carminative medicines muſt be laid upo•the whole inward region, as fomentatio•made of the leaves of Rue, Motherwort, Penniroyall, the flowers of Melilot, and Cam•mile, or unguent. de Althea, with the oyl•of Camomile, Dill, and Rue; for this looſeneth the paſſages by opening the pores, an expelling the winde; peſſaries may be p••up, made with Civet, Musk, and Amber but you muſt affront her noſe with ſtinking odours, as the ſteame of brimſtone, th•ſmoke aſcending from old ſhoes burn•Partridge feathers, ſagapenum galbanum, aſ•fetida, and the like, caſt into the fire; becauſe the Matrix doth, as it were abhor, r•treat, and flie from theſe things, wherea•ſweet things doe allure to them.
But ſome curious braine may here d•mand, why ſweet things held to the noſ•57doe breed the fits of the Mother, and on the contrary, ſtinking things appeaſe thoſe fits? I anſwer; ſweet things applyed to the Matrix, in regard that they are hot, doe expell the winde, cut into the ſlow and tenacious phlegm, and afterwards purge it out: but ſtinking things applied to the Noſe, conſume the aſcending vapours with their heat; but you may ſtill demand, if hot ſtinking things be good to break the winde, why may they not be laid to the Matrix, as well as ſweet things? I anſwer? the Matrix embraceth, and meeteth ſweet odours and perfumes, but unſavory and ſtinking ſents it abhors, and flies from; for 'tis a moſt certaine truth, that every creature, even by naturall inſtinct, ſhunneth inconveniences, and affecteth things convenient.
If the evill ſtill increaſe, and if the Virgin be of a good habit, fleſhie, and for a long time hath not had her Courſes, or for too long a time hath had them: the ſafeſt courſe, although upon the approach of the Fit, will be to open a veine in the ankle, without delay, eſpecially, if any excretion of bloud appear, either at the noſe, or at the mouth; for as Hippocrates hath excellently taught us; as the coming down58 of the Courſes, is a preſent Remedie for thoſe who vomit bloud; ſo in a body that is plethorick, by reaſon that the Menſtruum hath been long ſuppreſſed; you may help a woman who vomits bloud, if you cut one of her lower veines; the ſame opinion i•favoured by Galen in his Commentry, ſaying in this caſe we ought to endeavour ar•evacuation, namely, ſuch an one as is correſpondent to nature, when ſhe is obedient to her own lawes.
After the Phlebotomy, if her body b•ſtrong, and the Diſeaſe continue, apply Cuppinglaſſes, with ſcarification to her thighes Leeches to the Hemorrboids, and with iterated Glyſters, and medicines given agai•and again into the body, purge out th•Melancholy juices.
Many, who are more raſh then learned more bold, then skilfull, becauſe of th•cold and the winde, which are the cauſe•of this Diſeaſe, at the beginning will unadviſedly be offering wine to the ſick, which being odoriferous, is apt to allure the Matri•to the upper parts; therefore I counſel all thoſe that value the health of thei•friends, to forbeare this temerity: yet if ſh•faint, and her ſpirits be ſo far ſpent, tha•ſhe ſwounds, or is ready to ſwound, in ſuch59 an exigence you may allow her wine, yet in a ſmall quantity.
When the Fit is over, let her live ſoberly, and feed upon hot meats. that yield a thin, and ſubtle nouriſhment, and be very carefull to preſerve her ſelf, leaſt ſhe fall into a Relaps; hearbs, and roots, and ſuch thinge as thicken the bloud, or are hard to digeſt, muſt be no part of her diet, Wormewood beer may be allowed her, or in her beer mingle Cinamon water, or boile Anniſe ſeeds, or China roots in it.
The humour muſt be prepared with cutting Sy•ups, as Rhodomell, Syrupe of Wormewood, Syrupe of Mint, or Syrupe of the five roots.
You may preſcribe the Purge of Mechoaca, Hiera Picra, pills of agarick, of Hiera, with Confectio Hamech, or Sena.
You muſt open a veine in the ankle again, and becauſe this thick and ſtubborne humour will not obey a ſingle evacution, you muſt alſo purge her body againe with agarick, hellebore, Pills of Maſtick, or of Rubarb.
Steele taken in powder, or mingled among the other medicines, will much advance the Cure; ſo will an Iſſue, and an artificiall Bath made with Sulphur, or a decoction60 of Salſa parilla, Guaiacum, and China.
Laſtly, if the Diſeaſe take beginning from the ſeed, becauſe in Phyſick, no peculiar, or elective purging medicine is conſecrated to it, you muſt leſſen her diet, enjoyne her an abſtinence from hot wine, and let her continually weare plates of lead upon he•back; for it is moſt certaine, that theſe do•diminiſh the ſeed; if the Patient for twelv•mornings together upon an empty ſtomack drink three ounces of a decoction of agnus caſtus ſeeds, boiled with ſix graines o•Camphire.
PHyſitians reckon up a twofold Epilepſ in the Matrix; one by Conſent, th•other by Propriety; the Cauſe of this is thick, viſcous, and ſlow humour, obſtructing the hollow parts of the Nerves: th•cauſe of that is a cold diſtemper of the Matrix, and a contagious vapour aſſaulting and ſhaking the Braine, and the nervou•61parts: for when the animall faculty ſtrives to expell that humour, or vapour from it ſelfe, the hollow parts of the Nerves are cruſht together, and the paſſages are ſtopt, and thus there happens a conſtipation, or an obſtruction, the inſides of the Nerves being, as it were ſtraightned, bound, and cloſed up together.
That there is ſuch a Diſeaſe, as an Epilpſy by Conſent, we are warranted by Galen to beleeve, who in his book de Locis, propounds the example of a boy, who being lame in his legs, fell afterwards into an Epilepſy, and after the ſame manner Virgins, who are troubled with obſtructions, winde, or a malignant vapour in their Matrices, doe frequently fall into the Falling Sickneſſe.
This is eaſily known; for imminent windie humours, and rumblings in her belly doe preſage it, her ſtomack ſwells, her mind is confuſed, her eyes are dim, and when ſhe is ready to fall into a fit of the Epilepſie, or Falling Sickneſſe, ſhe may perceive a tingling noyſe in her eares, a giddineſſe, circumagitation, or turning round in her head: ſhe is ſad in her minde, diſquieted in her body, troubled with the paſſion of the heart, and not ſeldome with ſounding62 fits; 'tis a ſad ſpectacle to behold her in this condition, from which if ſhe be not ſeaſonably delivered, ſhe is very likely to fall into an Apoplexy; this we have learn't from Galen, who in his third book de Locis, and 5. chapt. ſaith, Epilepticks doe often degenerate into a melancholy madneſſe, and ſo on the contrary; for this melancholy mood turnes to the Falling Sickneſſe, when the humour invades either the body, or the minde; or if that darke vapour becloud the minde, inducing a dimneſſe, or gloomineſſe in the thoughts, with ſadneſſe, deſpaire, and deep melancholy; if the ſpirits, which are bright and cleare in their own nature, be obſcured with the foggy commerce of black vapours, the very preſence of them diſmayeth, terrifies, and diſcompoſeth the minde: or if a confluence of thoſe vapours aſſault the body, that is, the braine and the nerves, they produce the Falling Sickneſſe.
This requires a twofold cure: one in the Fit, the other after the Fit. In the Fit you muſt quicken and excite the animall faculty, and force back thoſe poiſonous vapours, that are ſtealing from the Matrix to invade the upper parts: then the winde muſt be expelled, the wayes kept open, and63 the thick humour muſt be got out of the body, by rubbing the parts, by tying ſtraight ligatures about her legs, by fomentations, and baths, made with the leaves of penniroyall, motherwort, thyme, nip, camomile, ſalt, vinegar, and water; ſoftning Glyſters are ſo uſefull, that you muſt not forget to inject them; you may make them thus.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water, to nine ounces, ſtraine and preſſe out the liquor, and then add
Camomile Flowers, of each halfe a handfull.
64Two drams of Anniſe ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity o•Barley water, to nine ounces, to the liquo•which you preſſe out, add
An ounce and a halfe of Diaphenicon.
Maſſ. pill. fetidar.
De hiera cum Agarico, of each two ſcruples.
If neceſſitie urge you, and the ſtrength o•the Patient will beare it, you may preſcrib•a ſharper glyſter, to draw the humours from the fartheſt diſtant parts, and to imitate th•nature and effects of a Purge; be this for a•example to you.
As much Epithymum as you can take up between your thumb, and two fingers.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of honied water to ten ounces, ſtraine, and65 preſſe out the liquor, and add
For this being a moſt acute Diſeaſe, requires the utmoſt tryalls of art, that it may not degenerate (as it is very prone to doe) into a true Apoplexy.
To the Matrix (to make a ſudden diſpatch of the Cure) apply Carminitive fomentations, and•ath the privie parts, to break, and expell the winde.
After the uſe of the Fomentation, apply oyle of Caſtor, oyle of wormewood, and inject odoriferous Peſſaries of musk, amber, Civet, made up with gallia Moſchat, and a piece of Cotton, according to the ſecret rules of Art; to the noſe you muſt hold ſtinking things, as ſagapenum, galbanum, aſſa fetida, Caſtor, rue, and the like.
When the Fit is approaching, Hippocrates adviſeth to open a veine in the Ankle, and this advice is magnified, and applauded by Galen in his book de Rigore Chapt. 8. neither may you forget to apply Leeches to the Hemorrhoids, or the calfes of her legs; for they will ſuck out the feculent and66 dreggiſh humour, that is impacted in the Matrix.
Cordialls muſt be adminiſtred, as Treacle, Mithridate, Alkermes, Confection de Hyacyntha, and the like: or if you pleaſe compound them after this manner.
Take the hoofe of an Elk.
The wood of Miſletoe of the Oake, of each two drams.
The skull of a man newly dead of ſome violent death.
With a ſufficient quantitie of honey, of roſes, and Syrupe of Stechas, make a mixture.
If the Diſeaſe become againe indigeſted and crude, preſcribe another Purge, of Aloes, Hiera Picra, Benedicta Laxativa, or Turbith; but that the ignorant may not be raſhly precipitated into ſome erroneous compoſition, we ſhall limit him to this preſcription.
67Take two ſcruples of the maſſe of Pills de Hiera cum agarico.
Ten graines of pill. faetidae.
Troch. Alhandal,
Diagrydium, of each five graines.
With a ſufficient quantity of Syrupe of Stechas make nine Pills.
Sometimes the retention of the Seed is the Cauſe of theſe Symptomes, which if they be ſo vehement, that the former remedies cannot tame them, proceed as followeth.
With a piece of Cotton make a peſſary, according to art, put it up, and move it up and down, till the ſuperfluous ſeed be ejaculated.
If the ſick woman have many Fits in a day, certaine it is, that the diſeaſe is fixt, and rooted in the Head: wherefore in ſuch caſes I have known no better remedy, then an actuall cauterizing in the hinder part of the head, from whence as from an68 Iſſue, that virulent and luxuriant humour which is the cauſe of this moſt dangerou•diſeaſe, may at laſt have a vent.
In the intermiſſion of the Fits, you mu••open a vein in her Ankle; this is not my counſell onely, but Galen enjoynes the ſam•remedy; for in his book de Cur. ration. pe•ſang. miſſionem, he ſaith; if you will prevent the Falling Sickneſſe,•ut the Scyrhena•that is the veine in the Ankle; afterward•he commands the preparation of that cold•and thick humour, which may be effected by this Apozem following.
Roſemary, of each as much as you can graſpe between your thumb, and two fingers at twice.
A dram of anniſe ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water, wherein ſteele hath been infuſed, to two pints.
69To the ſtrained liquor add
After you have prepared the humour, purge the body with this compoſition following.
Take two drams and a halfe of Sena.
Three ſcrup•e•of white agarick.
A dram of anniſe ſeeds.
A ſcruple of Ginger,
Macerate them for a•ight in a ſufficient quantity of parſley water; in the morning give them one or two bublings; and to the•iquor which you preſſe ou•(I meane•hree ounces of it)
Add two ſcruples of Maſ•▪•il•. 〈◊〉.
Mingle them for a Potion ▪ or
You may preſcribe ſome other mi•ture•o•purge phl•g••▪ and more〈◊〉to•reak and expell winde, or make ready•his plaiſter following, to be applied to•e•••vell, and her ſecret par•••
Mingle them, and according to Art mak•a Plaiſter.
If the contumacity of the evill be ſuch,•not to yield to all theſe remedies, make I•ſues in the legs, and if thoſe alſo prove in effectuall, my laſt recourſe is to a decoction of Guaiacum wood, wherewith the learned Jachinus, as he averreth in his Commentaries upon Almanſor, hath cured many o•this Diſeaſe.
THis hath one and the ſame Cauſe with the Epilepſy, namely the retention of•e Seed, and the ſuppreſſion of the Men••m, which being earthy, and not ob•ning a vent, they putrifie, beget vapours,•hich doe not onely aſſault the braine, but•ey oppreſſe the heart alſo, and the Mid•e; for when a gloomy and black vapour•ends to the braine, the principall parts,•d their inſtruments are depraved, and•e animall ſpirit, which is the chiefeſt in•ment of the ſoule, and in its own nature•are and perſpicuous, is rendred darke,•d obſcure.
The true ſignes of this diſeaſe are ſad•ſe, fearfulneſſe, anxiety of minde, and ſeve•l figures or poſtures of unquietneſſe ap•ring in the body.
They deſpaire, they doate, they talke•ly, eſpecially at that time when they•pect their Courſes; in theſe you may ob•ve a depraved motion of the principall72 Members, becauſe the temperament of t•braine is perverted by that cold and d•humour; moreover they are unwilling dye, they cannot ſleep, they have no ſt•mack to their meat, and being taken wi•a ſtrange loathing of aliment, their bod•waſte and conſume; ſometimes they im•gine that they undergoe the torments damned ſoules in Hell; they weep wit•out any cauſe, they groan, they lame•anon againe they laugh, deſire to goe to ſome by corners, and according the inward diſcompoſure of their mind they turne, vary, and alter their geſtu•and countenances into ſeverall figur•ſometimes they have a conceit that they talking with Angels, ſometimes they m••mur, ſometimes they ſing; certainly th•is not a more ſtrange and wonderfull d•eaſe, for in ſeverall perſons it bewray•a thouſand, ſeverall, ridiculous, and ant•behaviours.
He ſees the difficulty of this Cure, b•in regard of the Symptomes, and the ſtu•borneſſe of the diſeaſe, who underſtands to be a cold and dry affect (for there is•doubt, but the braine labours under cold, and dry diſtemper) and how mu•drieneſſe reſiſteth the beſt medicines, is n•73unknown to Philoſophers; for as it is of a dull, and ſluggiſh action, ſo are there many reſiſtances: and from thence comes the danger, becauſe it eaſily degenerates into rave•ng, and raging madneſſe, or into the Falling Sickneſſe, or into an Apoplexy, and it is held incurable, if the braine be primarily affected, becauſe in continuance of time,•t takes ſo deep a root, that no Magazine of Remedies, no ſtratagems of Art can remove it.
Wherefore you muſt be very carefull, when you undertake the Cure; as for her Diet, let it incline to hot and moiſt, aſſigne•er a gently breathing ayre; boile her drink with the roots of buglos, angelica, and ſnake•eed; with the leaves of hops, buglos, balme,•nd fumitary; allow her white Wine that is•mall, and well ſented, let her be indulgent to her ſleeps, avoiding cares, penſiveneſſe, and troubleſome thoughts; if her body be coſtive, make it, and keep it ſoluble. Venery is wholſome for melancholy perſons, provided that it be acted ſeaſonably, and with moderation. Hippocrates placed the whole hope of the Cure in the evacuation of that excrement, commanding, as we have ſaid above, ſuch Virgins to marry.
74To facilitate the Revulſion, and the evacuation of the humour, looſen the belly with moiſtning Suppoſitories, and Glyſter•obſerve their compoſition.
Take two ſcruples of the ſpecies Hiera picr•
Ten graines of Troch. Alhandal.
Halfe a dram of common Salt.
With a ſufficient quantity of honey boi•ed to a due thickneſſe, make a Suppoſitory,•
Take a ſcruple and a halfe of Hiera Pi•in the ſpecies.
Trochiſhs of agarick.
Troch. Alhandall, of each a ſcruple.
Halfe a dram of Sal gemme.
With a ſufficient quantity of honey, according to art make a Suppoſitory.
As much Epithymum as your thumb, an•two fingers can graſp.
Two drams of anniſe ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity•75fumitary water to nine ounces, when you have ſtrained and preſt out the liquor, add,
Halfe an ounce of the roots of black Hellebore.
As much Epithymum as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers.
A dram of fennill ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of•roth, made of a ſheepſhead and guts, ſound•y waſh't before you put them into the pot,•nd to ten ounces of the liquor which you preſs out, add
An ounce of Diaprun. Laxat.
Halfe an ounce of Confectio Hamech.
An ounce and a halfe of oyle of Violets.
Two drams of common ſalt.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter.
But if the Diſeaſe ariſe from a ſuppreſſion of the Courſes, thinke upon that Oracle of76 Hippocrates, and obey his words as a ſacred Law, when he ſaith, the true way to provoke them, is by drawing bloud from the ankle; provided that there be no reaſon to oppoſe this injunction; having ſo done and laying Leeches to the Hemorrhoids, th•uſe whereof is exceeding profitable in thi•diſeaſe; if the body be full, and the diſeaſ•be found to be common to the whole body, open the Baſilick veine on the righ•ſide: from whence, if an earthy and blac•bloud flow away, Galen adviſeth you t•take out a large quantity.
If the Patient be young, leane, black an•hairy, adventure upon deep ſcarification made in her back, and faſten great Cuppi•glaſſes to her arteries.
Theſe univerſall adminiſtrations bein•premiſed, and the humour being rightl•prepared, it will be convenient to preſcribe a Purge to cleanſe her body fro•melancholy: to this purpoſe
Take three drams of Sena.
A dram of the roots of black Hellebore.
Two ſcruples of agarick Trochiſht.
Halfe a dram of fennill ſeeds.
Macerate them in a ſufficient quantit•of fumitary water for a night, and when i•the morning you have preſt out the liquor77 take three ounces of it, and add
Three drams of Diacatholicon.
Two drams of Confectio Hame•h.
Halfe an ounce of Syrup of Violets,
Mingle them, and make a Potion.
She muſt not take any Pills, for they are too great driers, both in reſpect of their forme, and alſo in regard of the ingredients whereof they are compounded.
But by all meanes, let her have ſomewhat to diſpoſe her to ſleep; as this, or the like emulſion.
With ten ounces of a decoction of Lettuce, and Poppy heads, and an ounce of Syrupe of Poppy, make an Emulſion, to be taken about nine a clock at night, and at two a clock in the morning.
Embrochations alſo may be prepared for the head; you may make them of a decoction of poppy heads, barley, roſes, violets, waterlilles, nightſhade, lettuce, coriander, and mandrake roots.
Anoynt her noſe and her Temples with this oyntment following.
78Take halfe an ounce of unguent. Populeum.
Two drams of unguent. roſarum.
Half a dram of Opium, diſſolved in vinegar of roſes.
Mingle them for the uſe aforeſaid.
Let her have cooling Lotions, to bath the palmes of her hands, and the ſoles of her feet; if the cruelty of the diſeaſe be ſuch, as to deprive her of all ſleep, preſcribe this draught following; yet ſuſpend the uſe thereof till you have tried other meanes, to procure reſt for the ſick Creature.
Take a ſcruple of Philonium Romanum.
Three ounces of Lettuce water.
Mingle them, and let her drink it when ſhe goeth to bed, or
Sometimes we uſe to exhibit two or three graines of laudanum opiatum: yet forbear this remedy, unleſſe an urgent occaſion prompt you to it.
Baths are moſt wholſome, if they be made of the decoction before preſcribed; or elſe you may follow this example.
The leaves of red roſe, water lillies, of each a handfull.
Boile them altogether, in a ſufficient quantity of broth made with a ſheeps-head, and let her bath her ſelfe in the ſtrained liquor.
A Bath prepared of oyles, and ſweet waters is very effectuall; ſo alſo is a Bath of Aſſes milke; for theſe things temper the earthy humour, mitigate the acrimony thereof, correct the dryneſſe, and parchedneſſe of the skin, render the bloud more apt to deſcend, provoke ſleep, qualifie the furious motions of the ſpirits, and nouriſh and fatten ſuch bodies as are dryed up, and conſumed. You muſt alſo comfort the heart with Cordialls, and to the ſame puroſe
With a ſufficient quantitie of Syrupe de pomis Regis ſaboris, adding two leaves of gold, make a mixture, or
Take the ſpecies Letificant. Galeni,
The ſpecies Diambra, of each halfe a dram.
Pearle prepared.
Bezoar ſtone, of each a ſcruple.
Two ounces of Sugar diſſolved in Roſewater.
Make them into Lozenges according to Art.
If theſe remedies get not the victory, we counſell you to make deep iſſues upon the knee; and if the diſeaſe be inveterate, preſcribe an extract of black Hellebore, and apply Cauſticks to the region of the ſpleen, by the force and ſtrength whereof, the black and cloudy humour, which ſticks ſo cloſe to the bowell, may by degrees be brought away.
THe Matrix is ſometimes ſwelled, either becauſe the Courſes are ſtopped, or elſe in regard of a continuall ſuppeditation of cold aliment, which generates a cold diſtemper in thoſe parts: which becauſe it cannot be ſimple, or ſolitary, therefore it preſently conſociates it ſelfe with moiſture, and from thence ariſe thick, ſlow, and cloudy windes, in the very cavernes, or hollow parts of the Matrix, tormenting the woman with unſpeakable paines.
The ſignes are a ſwelling below the Navell, neare the privie parts, ſlow windes, with rumbling, and murmuring of the guts, forſaking of meat, ſadneſſe, ſlothfulneſſe, heavineſſe in the head, and about her ſecret parts.
This is a grievous diſeaſe, becauſe many times it turnes to a Dropſey in the Matrix: for, in regard that thoſe windie humours are bread, and increaſed by the diminution of the naturall heat, as Galen hath obſerved82 in his book de Sump•om. Cauſis, it comes to paſſe, that the feeble heat, now generating winde, proceeding from a cold diſtemper in the Matrix, doth ſo weaken it, that inſtead of winde, water, or a wateriſh humour is produced.
This diſeaſe is cured by an extreame thin, and drying diet: wherefore let the ayre incline to hot and dry: but if the place be ſuch as doth not naturally afford ſuch an ayre, prepare it by art, ſprinkling aromaticall things about her chamber, as ſage, nip, betony, roſemary,••echas, thyme, origanum, and lavender.
Let her choiſe be of thoſe diſhes, which will be of good nouriſhment to the body,•aſie to digeſt, and ſoon diſtributed to all the parts, as thruſhes, young ſparrowes, partridges, pheaſants, and pigeons: ſhe may not eat the fleſh, of goats, Kids, hares, cowes, ſheep, nor Deer: meats made with milke are unwholſome for her: ſo are roots, ſallads, and pothearbs: new laid egs, raiſins, and figs may be allowed her: but command a forbearace of cheſnuts and almonds; for they are thick and windy; let her eat the whiteſt bread baked with anniſe, or fennill ſeeds, or a little honey; courſe barley bread, and the like, is not good for her, but nothing is83 more unwholſome for her then fruit; you may grant her the uſe of ſome few hearbs, as ſparagus, parſley, alexanders, water pepper,•orage, and buglos.
For her drinke, give her Fountaine water, wherein anniſe ſeeds, or cinanon, or china•oots, or the like have been boiled; but•he moſt wholſome drink for her is worme•ood•eer.
If ſhe drink wine, let it be ſparkling and•leaſant, claret wine mingled with water,•ther artificiall drinks, as•ider, perry, me•eglin, ſteepona, Nectarella, Medea, and the•ike are hur••full for her.
The humour muſt be prepared with Rho•omel, Syrupe of wormewood, Syrupe of mint, and the like.
Her body muſt be purged by fits, for the•rude, thick, and windie humour, will not•e got out with one medicine; this is•aught us by our great Maſter Hippocrates, who in his fourth book de Acutis, ſaith, whoſoever indeavours at the beginning of a diſeaſe to diſſolve, or take away an inflammation by a purging medicine, he will finde himſelfe much miſtaken; for whileſt•he part is intenſively inflamed, and the affect yet crude, and unconcocted, the phy•ick gets no victory, hath no laudable operation84 at all: but rather it brings away ſuch things, as would have made reſiſtan••againſt the diſeaſe, and ſo by this raſhneſſe, the body is weakned, and the diſeaſe g•t•ſtrength: which when it hath once overcome the body, becomes uncurable: therefore whenſoever you undertake to purge•body, you muſt not onely make the humours fluid, but you muſt alſo ſtay till they are co•cocted, eſpecially in chronicall, and long laſting diſeaſes; this may be done b•the help of this Ap•ze•following.
As many Camamile flowers, as you ca•take up, between your thumb and two fingers at twice.
Boile them according to art, in a ſufficient quantitie of barley water, to tw•pints; when you have preſt out the liquor with all your ſtrength, add
85Two ounces of Diacnycum.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem, or
Take the roots of Polipody.
The roots of Mechoaca, of each two•rams.
Halfe an ounce of Baſtard Saffron, ſeeds.
Epithymum,
Camomile, of each as much as you can••ke up between your thumb and two fin•ers.
Two drams of fennill ſeeds.
Boile them according to art, in a ſuffici•nt quantity of Cock broth, to two pints,•reſſe out the liquor with your utmoſt•rength, and add
Two ounces of Syrupe of the juice of fu•itary.
An ounce of Diacnycum.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem.
86Let her every day drink three ounces of i•
For nothing cleanſeth the Matrix fro•tenacious, and ſlimy humours, ſo effectually as Agarick; or which is a ſurer, an•more infallible remedy againſt the Mother•if we may credit Galen, and Meſur. Mona•dus, Coſta, Cluſius, Lobel, and Weckerus, aſcrib•the ſame vertues to Mechoaca, which is ho•and dry.
Turpentine, although Galen in his boo•de ſanitate tuenda, ſaith, that it ſerves on•to looſen the belly, yet it purgeth, a•cleanſeth all the bowells, as the Liver, t••Spleen, the Kidneys, the Lungs, and the M•trix, from thoſe tough and ſlimy humour which are ſtrongly impacted in them.
There are ſeverall wayes to prepare i•ſometimes it is moſt eaſily taken with t•yelk of an Egg, ſometimes in powder, a•ſometimes being reduced into an oyle, t•admirable efficacy hereof frequent exper•ence doth more and more diſcover to m•ſo that I have often adventured to give (and with bleſſed ſucceſs) in many di•eaſes, both of the Cheſt, the Kidneys, an•the bladder; for this cleanſeth the ſtomac•from thick, and tough humours, fro•which part floweth the whole ſtreame••phlegmatick humours, it wonderfully warmeth87 the Matrix, wipeth away the clammy filth which ſticks about the walls of it, expelleth winde, provokes the Courſes, and brings down urine.
You may make an excellent Fomentation after this manner.
Of each as much as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers.
Boile them in white wine to foure pints; uſe the ſtrained liquor for a Fomentation, and with ſponges dipt in it, bath all about the bottome of her belly, her groiny and her privie parts.
After the Fomentation, apply this admirable oyntment.
Straine, and preſſe out the unctious ſubſtance, and add
Three drams of yellow wax.
Mingle them, and make an oyntment.
If you augment the ſeverall doſes of the aforeſaid hearbs preſcribed, for the Fomentation, you may make a halfe Tub: or you may lay on the plaiſter pro Matrice ('tis ſold in the ſhops) aromatized with Diarrhodon Abbat. and Diamoſchus dulcis, or inſtead thereof apply the plaiſter Tachamacha, or Catanua. Antidotes may not be omitted, as Treacle, and Mithridate. Excellent Lozenges may be made for her of ſugar, with the ſpecies Diamoſchus, Diagalanga, Diaeinnamomum, or Diacumium, or if you pleaſe, preſcribe this mixtue following.
With a•ufficient quantity of Syrupe of Wormewood〈◊〉them for your uſe.
If theſe medicines doe not overcome the diſeaſe, let her u•e minerall, ſulphureous baths, or the like.
Zacutus Luſitanus ſaith, if you take the durt in the bot•ome of one of theſe baths, and lay it up•n the Matrix, it is as divine a medicine again•t the cold affects of the Matrix; but in theſe words of his, I conceave there is more of oſtentation, then of truth.
If the evill yet perſevere, we uſed in the next place to preſcribe ſweating remedies, of guaiacum, china and ſaſſaphraz roots to be adminiſtred, as we have already ſhewed in the for•going cures; and afterwards we make iſſues that the Matrix may exhale.
Now let us conſider what muſt be determined in this caſe concerning Phlebotomy; ſome will ſay that in a bad habit of the body, in a Dropſey, in the trembling palſie, and the like, where there is a deficiencie of naturall heat, no man will adventure to let bloud: ſeeing that when the bloud is diminiſhed, the heat is alſo leſſened, and90〈1 page duplicate〉91〈1 page duplicate〉90the crude humours become ſo much the more crude: this was Avicens feare, as is manifeſt by theſe words of his: beware leaſt you precipitate your Patient into one of theſe extreams, either into an ebullition of chollerick, or an indigeſted abundance of cold humours; this we confeſſe to be true; yet not ſo, but that ſometimes (all other adminiſtrations being rightly and duely premiſed) with Galen we may take away bloud by fits, then exhibit Mellicratum. Then againe open a vein, either the ſame day, or the day following, as the diſpoſition of the matter ſhall dictate to your reaſon; we leave much alſo to nature her ſelfe who many times concocts the thick humours; the veine in the ankle muſt be opened, if women are thus affected; but whe•men are troubled with theſe windy humours, the Baſilick vein is the moſt prope•to be opened.
A Schirrhus in the Matrix is a hard, and ſtony ſwelling, bread of earthie humours,91 and of a thick and melancholy bloud retained in the body.
This is either produced by a cold diſtemper in the Matrix, or elſe it proceeds from a weakneſſe in the upper parts from whence thick humours doe ariſe.
This diſeaſe is very eaſie to be known, becauſe in thoſe who languiſh under it, the Matrix appeareth hard in the circumference, like unto ſome great bowle, or a round Spheare ▪
It differs from a ſwelling which is cauſed by winde; becauſe in this winde is heard within, which yieldeth to the touch, and is moved from place to place: but a Schirrus is a hard unmoveable ſwelling, of a black colour, and ſometimes of a paliſh, wan colour, if any phlegmatick humour be mixed with it.
It differs from an inflammation in the Matrix, becauſe in this there is a burning Fever conjoyned, and other ſignes which manifeſt an inward fiery Diſpoſition.
This is a Chronicall Diſeaſe, continuing many times beyond the ſpace of a yeare; for the Matrix, not being numbred among the more noble parts, doth better endure theſe moleſtations; it is alſo a contumacious affect, deſpiſing ordinarie remedies, and92 if you oppoſe ſuch as are vehement, it degenerates into a Cancer.
After this ſometimes followes a Dropſey in the Matrix, which when it is much hardned, becomes void of ſenſe, incurable, drawing the neighbouring parts into conſent with it, and ſo weakning them, that many times the Creature periſheth for lack of wamrth and cheriſhing heat.
She muſt forbeare all thoſe things, that yield a thick juice, and what theſe things be we have already in good part told you; for her drink, allow her a mixture of wine and water, in which tamarisk roots, or the barke of the Caper tree have been boiled.
The firſt regions of the body muſt be gently cleanſed, and then that humour which nouriſheth the ſwelling, muſt be rooted out with ſome peculiar and elective medicine; if it proceed from a ſuppreſſion of the Courſes, or Hemorrhoids, open a veine in her ankle, or open the hemorrhoidall veines with leeches: but if it ariſe from ſome fault in the Liver, or the Spleen, cut the baſalick veine.
Having thus ſhewed your ſelfe carefull of the whole body, you muſt in the next place be ſolicitous of the affected part; firſt by applying ſuch things as will gently mollifie it, as the fat of a hen, the marrow93 of a deare, or of a calfe, with ammoniack, Storax, or bdellium: or with diſcutient fomentations after this manner.
Take an ounce of the roots of Polypody of the Oake.
The barke of the root of the Caper tree.
The barke of the tamarisk tree, of each halfe an ounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water wherein ſteele hath been quenched, to ſix pints and bath the affected part with the ſtrained liquor; This oyntment following hath a like efficacy.
Diſſolve them in ſtrong wine vinegar, thicken them to the forme of a hard oyntment, and then add
With oyle of Capers make a maſſe of plaiſtering ſtuffe, and ſpread it upon a piece of leather, cut into a convenient forme.
If theſe medicines availe not, preſcribe ſweating drinks for her, made with Guaiacum, China, and Salſa parilla; for as Fallopius, an Author of good account, ſaith, Salſa parilla hath a ſoveraine faculty to diſſolve a skirrhus, or any hard knotty ſwelling.
Sulphureous Baths are alſo moſt excellent in their operations.
Some commend a poultis made of Goats du••: for this draweth away the winde,95 ſtrengthens, and mollifies the part afflicted, and conſumes the thick matter, whereof the ſchirrus is bred. I uſully made it after this manner.
With the ſharpeſt and ſtrongeſt vinegar, wherein ſteele hath been ten times infuſed, make a Poultis.
Steele is commended by all Authors, it mollifies and opens the Matrix; quickens the naturall heat of the upper parts, and brings down the Courſes, the ſtoppage whereof is the undoubted cauſe of this diſeaſe; this, as hath already been declared at large, is taken many wayes, either in water, or in the forme of a Bolus, or in Lozenges, or in powder, or in ſome conſerve, as it ſhall ſeeme good to the Phyſitian, and moſt acceptable to the ſick womans palate.
Iſſues will be profitable; for whatſoever ſlimy, or clammy humour doth daily fall downe, more and more from the upper parts into the Matrix, findes a paſſage out of the body againe, ſo long as theſe are kept open.
VVE affirme with Galen, that an univerſall Droſey can by no meanes be generated without the fault of the Liver, ſeeing that the firſt inſtrument of ſanguification is the author of the bloud, which if it faile in its action, 'tis no wonder if water and winde be generated in the body, inſtead of laudable and pure bloud.
But we confeſſe with Hippocrates, that a particular Dropſey may be produced without any fault in the Liv•r; thus there is a Dropſey of the Cheſt, in the Foot, the Finger, the Arme, the Matrix, which we our ſelves have often ſeen; the Cauſe thereof is a wateriſh ſwelling, riſing in the hollow parts of the Matrix, partly by reaſon of the ſuppreſſed Menſtruum, and partly by ſome violent labour, or ſome vehement Abortiveneſſe, or by ſome cold diſtemper, and winde•n the Matrix.
The ſwelling is diſcernable by the touch: and if you lay your fingers upon her Matrix, the print of them remaines: if the Patient97 turne her ſelfe from one ſide to another, the wateriſh humour immediately falls down on that ſide; within you may perceive a rumbling noiſe of waters, her Courſes are ſtopped; ſhe falſly ſurmiſeth that ſhe is with Childe: the breaſts grow lank, and there is no appearance of milke.
She feeles ſome difficulty to fetch her breath; ſhe is troubled with paſſions of the minde, ſhe is tormented with thirſt, complaines of heat in all the parts of the body, is apt to nauſeate, ſubject to a paine in her heart, and all other things moleſt her, that uſually accompany a true Dropſey, and that in regard of a ſalt and wateriſh phlegme, retained in the hollow parts of the Matrix, and communicated thorough the common wayes to the upper provinces of the body.
It differs from an inflammation in the Matrix; becauſe this is conſociated with a Fever, continually burning all the parts of the body: but in a Dropſey of the Matrix, the heat is more gentle and temperate; all things are lockt up in the Matrix, that is, nothing worth the mentioning comes from thence in an inflammation: but in a Dropſey a wateriſh, ſlimy and ſtinking excrement floweth away.
This is a Chronicall Diſeaſe, and doth not98 quickly either deſtroy, or take leave of the Patient.
It differs alſo from the windineſſe which ſwells the Matrix, for in that the ſwelling is not ſo great, the fleſh is not ſo pale and ſhining, neither is there ſo much winde, and it is eaſily differenced from a Schirrus, for in this you may feele a great hardneſſe, but in the Dropſey, the ſleſh is ſoft and lanke.
The Dropſey in the Matrix is a direfull diſeaſe, whereby the upper parts being vitiated, ſometimes the whole body is drawn into conſent, and then the naturall heat of the Matrix is diminiſhed, and indeed the oeconomy of this part onely is not diſturbed, but the univerſall ſtrength of the influent heat is by degrees extinguiſht.
Wherefore you muſt begin the Cure without any procraſtination, or careleſſe delayes, by a heating and drying diet; the forme, quantity, quality, and manner whereof, we have ſet down already at large, in the Chapter of a ſwelling in the Matrix.
Allow her pure wine for her drinke; that is ſincere wine; or elſe wormewood wine; or if it ſeeme pleaſant to her, boile china roots, with Anniſe ſeeds, Cinamon, and99 Agrimony in water, for her to drink; or alter her beer with China, or wormewood, or Century.
All moiſt things muſt be avoided: and the ayre muſt be artificially heated, unleſſe you can ſettle her in an ayre, which is naturally hot.
Among the univerſall remedies you muſt Ornit Phlebotomy, for this exhauſts the hot ſubſtance, and weakens the naturall heat, cooleth the body, extinguiſheth the inborne preſervative; yet this rule is not ſo ſtrict, or ſo generall, but that ſometimes it may be lawfull, yea neceſſary to cut a veine, when her Courſes are ſuppreſt, or when the Piles are ſtopt: yea, if ſhe be young, and in the flower of her youth, it may be requiſite to let her bloud in the ſpring of the yeare, eſpecially if the conſtitution of the weather be agreeable, and the conſtitution of her body temperate, and ſanguine, but otherwiſe never, or at leaſt very ſparingly, and that in the Ankle.
Purge the firſt regions of her body with Diaſenua, Mechoaca, or Diaphenicon, the thick, viſcous, and wateriſh humours, nevertheleſſe being firſt prepared, ſpecially with ſuch remedies as we have commended unto you above, and although the wateriſh humours may98〈1 page duplicate〉99〈1 page duplicate〉100be purged out, without ſtaying for their concoction, becauſe water neither concocts, nor waxeth thick, according to Galen, in his book de purgand. Med. Facult. yet to expell the winde, and to open the obſtructions, wherewith the upper parts are infeſted, I praiſe thoſe things which are good to break winde, to unlock the paſſages, and to purge out the humours; this is commodiouſly performed with wormewood, agrimony, fennill, Maidenhaire, the juice of the Florentine Flowerdeluce, Sena, the roots of Parſly, Fennill, Sparagus, Butchersbroom, and Alexander, boiled after this manner.
Take the laſt named five roots, of each half anounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of Barley water, to two pints, unto the ſtrained liquor clarified with the white of an Egg, add
Two ounces, of Syrupe Byzant. ſimpl.
An ounce of Syrupe of wormewood.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem.
101When the humor is prepared, exhibit pills de Hiera cum agarico to the quantity of a dram. Antimony warily adminiſtred, is a divine medicine, and ſo are the Trochiſchs Alhandal; for theſe irreſiſtably bring away thoſe thick and clammy humours, which ſtick ſo faſt to the Matrix; afterwards the Matrix muſt be ſtrengthned, and the windy humours muſt be expelled, with Lozenges made according to this manner.
Two ounces of ſugar diſſolved in Cina•on-water.
According to Art, make them into Lozenges, or
With a ſufficient quantity of Syrup of wormewood make a mixture.
The Oyntments, Plaiſters, and Poultiſſes, which are mentioned above, muſt be applyed to the ſecret parts: iſſues alſo and ſca•ifications will be convenient, as we have already taught; Peſſaries likewiſe may bee made after this forme following.
A dram of Elaterium, which is the juice of the wilde Cucumber inſpiſſated.
The yelke of an Egg,
Unſalted Butter,
The juice of Mercury, of each three drams.
With a ſufficient quantity of wax, a piece of Cotton, and a piece of taffata make a peſſary.
This being adminiſtred, apply the Fomentation following to her privie parts.
Take danewort roots newly gathered.
The roots of the Florentine Flowerdeluce,
The roots Cucumer. aſi•rin. of each ſix drams.
The flowers of Camomile,
Melilot, of each two handfulls.
A handfull of the tops of Dill,
Juniper berries,
Laurell berries, of each halfe an ounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of wormewood water diſtilled, to foure pints, to the ſtrained liquor add
Oyle of Lillies,
Laurell berries, of each three ounces.
Uſe it as was ſaid above.
THe Matrix ſometimes falleth down upon the lower parts, and this diſeaſe the Phyſitians call the Deſcent of the Matrix; this is reſembled to a pare, or a gooſeegg, as it is ſmall or great; as there are many Cauſes of this diſeaſe, namely a hard labour, and a frequent bringing forth of children, miſcarrying, a bringing away of the dead child, ſome fall from on high, hard riding, or immoderate dancing, yet there is one, in my judgement, more common then any of the reſt, namely too much moiſture in that part, whereby the Matrix becomes ſoft, and looſe; 'tis needleſſe to ſet down any ſignes whereby to know this diſeaſe: for of it ſelfe it is conſpicuous.
Yet in the meane time you muſt not let paſſe any opportunity of help, becauſe it is accompanied with a diuturnall Fever, many times with Convulſion Fits, and a trembling of the parts.
Wherefore if the diſeaſe proceed from an exceſſe of moiſture, preſcribe a drying diet•104and open the baſalick veine for Revulſion ſake.
A purge muſt by no meanes be granted her, for 'tis exceeding hurtfull, becauſe it precipitates the humours to the part affected, and there breeds an inflammation; but a Vomit is very proper in this caſe; becauſe by drawing the humours to ſome other part, it doth derive them from the Matrix.
When you have done theſe things, labour to ſettle the Matrix in its former place, and to this purpoſe the woman muſt be laid upon her bed, with her legs ſtretched out, then the Matrix muſt be gently bathed with mollifying fomentations, afterwards to the end it may not fall down againe, rub the parts well, tye ligatures upon her armes: yea, apply ſtinking things to her Matrix, as aſſa faetida, galbanum, Caſtor, and ſtinking piſſe: but to the noſe hold ſweet things, as musk, civet, and amber.
When you have thus done, dry up the moiſture, digeſt the ſlimy humour, and expell the winde with this Fomentation.
Take half an ounce of tormentill.
The leaves of wormewood,
Mint,
Sage,
Penniroyall, of each two handfulls.
105The flowers of Camomile,
Red roſes, of each a handfull.
Burnt alum,
Live Sulphur, of each three drams.
Boile them in ſowre red wine to three pints, and with the ſtrained liquor bath her ſecret parts.
After the fomentation, lay on this plaiſter.
Take two ounces of Emplaſtrum pro matrice.
Pitch,
Gummi laranne, of each a dram.
Two drams of the Trochiſchs de Gallia Moſchata.
The powder of red roſes,
Red Corall,
Acornes, of each a dram and a halfe.
With a ſufficient quantity of wax make a Maſſe and ſpread it upon a piece of leather cut into a convenient forme.
If it cannot be reduced to its naturall ſite and poſition, by the dexterity of the hand, but begins to mortifie by the inclemency of the ayre, cut it off, and afterwards faſten it by actuall Cauterizing, onely be carefull of ſome ligaments, and feare not the inciſion, becauſe it is none of thoſe principall parts, without which we can live no longer, but it is a part intended by106 Nature for Conception onely and generation. Avicen reports of ſome women, who lived eighteen yeares without a Matrix; and the poſſibility hereof we affirme to be true upon our owne experience.
AN Inflammation in the Matrix is a preternaturall ſwelling, ariſing from a hot bloud, or from the ſuppreſſion of the Menſtruum, in the hollow parts thereof.
The Cauſes of this ſwelling are either inward or outward; the inward Cauſes are a great plenitude or fulneſſe of the whole body, begot by a hot diſtemper of the Liver and the veines.
By the vehemence of this diſtemper, the bloud it ſelfe is compelled in a large proportion to the Matrix: and thus the retained bloud, being no wayes able to get out, either putrifies, or elſe without putrifying, produceth an inflammation: ſometimes alſo an Ʋlcer in the Matrix, or clefts, or chaps, or the Piles, doe moſt ſpeedily107 draw the bloud unto them by reaſon of the paine and heat.
The outward Cauſes are a fall, a blow, a ſtroke, a hard labour, immoderate coition, and the like, which weakning the Matrix, the bloud flowes unto it, and ſettles there without reſiſtance; after this inflammation in the Matrix, there followes an acute Fever, bred of the putrifaction of the bloud, which Fever, Galen ſaith, muſt be numbred among the continuall Fevers.
She complaines of a great paine in her head, by reaſon of vapours aſcending from her Matrix: alſo her eyes ake, and her neck is drawn to one ſide, her ſtomack is affected by conſent with nauſeating, vomiting, and a griping paine; and from hence many times proceeds a paine in her back, and idle talking; the excrements are ſuppreſſed by the compreſſion of the ſtraight gut, and from hence comes a difficulty to make water, or a piſſing by drops.
Every one knoweth how dangerous, and mortall this diſeaſe is, by reaſon of the conſent, which it hath with the parts aforeſaid: wherefore you muſt preſently addreſſe your ſelfe to the Cure; firſt preſcribing a thin and cold Diet, which Hippocrates enjoynes to be obſerved in all Fevers,108 and inflammations, and afterwards opening a veine.
Many Phyſitians have been puzled to finde out Galens meaning, who firſt commands the Baſilick veine to be cut; Secondly, the Saphena, or veine in the ankle, but the reaſon is obvious; for whereas in the beginning of the diſeaſe the body is full, he preſcribed the opening of the baſilick veine to expedite the Revulſion: otherwiſe he had drawn the humours by a precipitate motion, to the part affected, and ſo ſuperinduced an inflammation.
When this is done, he proceeds to leſſen the predominancy of the bloud, by cutting a veine in the ankle, and not without ſound reaſon: for by the proximity, or nearneſſe of that part, the labouring parts are ſooneſt disburthened.
A Purge is in this caſe inconvenient, by reaſon of the inflammation of the part, and the drawing faculty of the purging ſimples. Glyſters may be profitable, both to bring away the antecedent cauſe, and alſo to free the afflicted part from the peccant matter; Make them by this example.
Take the leaves of Violets,
Mallowes,
Beet, of each a handfull.
109The flowers of dwarfelder,
Violets, of each a handfull.
Roſes,
Prunes, ten in number.
The ſeeds of Melons,
Cucumbers,
Citrons,
Gourds, of each two drams.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of whole barley water, to nine ounces, to the ſtrained liquor, add
Two ounces of Electuarium lenitivum.
Oyle of Roſes,
Oyle of Violets, of each an ounce.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter.
To appeaſe the paine, you may mingle Topicall remedies with the Anodynall, and apply them.
Take the leaves of Mallowes,
Violets, of each a handfull.
Boile them to ſoftneſſe, then ſet them into an oven, and dry them, beat them to powder, ſift them, and to the ſifted matter add
The whites of two eggs beaten together.
The meale of mariſh mallowes,
Unſalted butter,
Oyle of Violets, of each an ounce.
Two drams of Opium diſſolved in wine vinegar.
110Mingle them, and make a Poultis, or Take foure ounces of the crums of whit•bread.
The whites of two egs.
Oyntment of Roſes,
Oyntment of Poplars, of each an ounce.
Two ſcruples of Saffron.
Mingle them, and make a Poultis.
This Inflammation will either be diſſolved, or haſten to ſuppuration; you may gueſſe by the vehemence of the fever, when it will diſſolve; for ſeeing that the greatneſſe of the fever doth accompany the greatneſſe of the inflammation; if the fever remit, which depends upon the inflammation, 'tis a certaine ſigne, that the inflammation ſhortly will be diſſolved; but if after the univerſall adminiſtrations, the fever ſtill continue vehement, it is a true ſigne of ſuppuration, and the rather if the paine be increaſed, according to that Oracle of Hippocrates, whileſt Matter or Corruption is ripening, the paines and the Fevers are more importunate then when it is full ripe.
The proper ſigne of ſuppuration is a moſt vehement paine upon the privie parts; and therefore to humour the evill, and to haſten the ſuppuration, preſcribe this Poultis following.
111Take the heads of white Lillies.
The roots of mariſh mallowes, of each two•unces.
The leaves of mallowes,
Mariſh mallowes, of each a handfull.
Bran,
Camomile flowers, of each half a handfull.
Twelve fat figs.
Boile them all to ſoftneſſe, pulp them thorough a haire ſieve, and add to the pulp
Two ounces of the meale of line ſeed.
Unſalted butter,
The oyle of ſweet almonds, of each halfe an ounce.
Hogſgreaſe,
The fat of a hen, of each half an ounce.
A dram of Saffron.
Mingle them, and make a Cataplaſme.
A Fomentation made of theſe things, and with ſponges applied to the ſecret parts, are of knowne vertue; but then note, that when you uſe it, it muſt be hot or lukewarme; for the Matrix being a part full of Nerves is eaſily offended with cold things.
When there is an itching in the Matrix, by reaſon of an influx of ſome cholerick, and biting humour, uſually there follow chinks, chaps, and clefts, all which require one and the ſame manner of cure, with an inflammation.
112If the Itching continue long, give whey, or an infuſion of Ruharb to dri•lay cooling Epithems upon her Liver,•then waſh her Matrix with this Injectio•
Take a dram of Trochiſch. All. Rhaſis.
Mallow water.
Breaſt milk of each three ounces.
Mingle them together for an injection.
From hence, if there be occaſion proce•to iſſues.
A Cancer is an uneven, blewiſh ſwellin•with paine, and filthy to behold, th•is twofold, either with, or without an Ʋ•cer; the one hath•ordid lips, from whence iſſueth a black corruption, unſavory an•ſtinking; but the other, namely, that without an Ʋlcer, is called almoſt by all Antiquity a hidden Ʋlcer.
The cauſe of this is the menſtruous bloud detained in great abundance, and afterwards dried, and burnt up to aduſtion: ſometimes it is produced by a dry humour falling down from the upper parts upon the Matrix,113 from whence that accumulation of•did, and blackiſh bloud floweth away. You may diſcerne the ſignes by a paine•ut the groine, the abdomen, the bottome the belly, and in the loines of her back: is a ſtubborne diſeaſe: both in reſpect of•e incommodiouſneſſe of the place, which the ſinke of all the humours, and alſo in•gard of her frequent deſire, and indea•ur to make water, which render the me•cines ſo moiſt, that they cannot ſtick to•e part; moreover light remedies it con•mnes, and vehement medicines make it•orſe: wherefore Hippocrates in one of his•horiſmes moſt wiſely adviſeth us, not to•re a hidden Cancer; becauſe they who•e cured quickly periſh, they who are not red live ſo much the longer; and we ſay•e ſame of a Cancer, which is exulcerated,•e paines whereof are greater, and doe•ore torment the woman, when the Cure•f the Ʋlcer is attempted.
We muſt therefore content our ſelves with palliative Cure, that the Patient may live•e longer (for in the midſt of miſery life ſweet) this may be done by appointing good Diet, and forbidding the uſe of Me•ncholy meats.
Upon the approach of the Spring, and114 about the end of Autumne, let her bl•from the baſilick veine; but if ſhe have n•her Courſes open a veine in the ankle.
Preſcribe ſuch ſimples as are good•purge Melancholy, as Sena, Hellebore, my•balans, epithymum, and anniſe ſeeds; So•of theſe muſt be infuſed a whole night•whey, and ſo ſtrained and dranke, but•hibit not ſtronger Phyſick, becauſe the h•mour is ſo apt to be outragious.
Locall remedies which are moderately cold and binding, may be applyed to•privie parts, as roſes, myrrhe, the juice of u•ripe grapes mingled with roſewater, bred milke, and the white of an egg, or
Take Cerus waſh't,
Tutia, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Burnt Lead,
Frankincenſe, of each two drams.
With foure ounces of oleum Omphaci•••ſtirred much, and long in a marble morter ▪ and
Three drams of white wax, make an oyntment, or
Take foure ounces of Litarge of ſilver waſh't in the juice of Pomegranets, and for two whole dayes worne to duſt in a marble morter.
Frankincenſe,
115Burnt Lead,
Auripigment, of each two drams.
Hogſgreaſe,
The greaſe that is gathered from ſheeps wool,
New butter, of each halfe an ounce.
Foure ounces of oyle of roſes.
Foure drams of wax.
According to the rules of Art make an oyntment.
If any filthy matter, or bloudy corruption run from the Ʋlcer, beat the ſhells of Crab fiſhes to aſhes (having firſt dried them in an oven) and ſtrow the aſhes upon the Ʋlcer, and anoynt it twice a day with oyle.
If the paine increaſe, and grow inſufferable, inject this decoction into her Matrix with a Syringe.
Take an ounce of the ſperme of Frogs.
The leaves of mallowes.
Mariſh mallowes,
Violets,
Mercury, of each a handfull.
Coriander ſeeds,
Poppy ſeeds, of each two drams.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of whole barley water, to eighteen ounces; to three ounces of the ſtrained liquor add
116Syrup of the juice of Pomegranets,
Hony of roſes ſtrained, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Mingle them together, and make an injection for ſix times, to be injected twice every day.
Purge her body once a moneth with this Medicine following.
Take three drams of Sena.
A dram of Agarick Trochiſchated.
Halfe a dram of black hellebore.
A dram of anniſe ſeeds.
Macerate them a whole night in a ſufficient quantity of fumitary water, to three ounces; in the morning ſet them upon the fire, and after one or two bublings, add to the liquor which you preſſe out, halfe an ounce of Syrup of the juice of fumitary.
Two drams of Confectio Hamech.
Mingle them for a draught.
If her body be ſufficiently ſtrong, open a veine, yet be ſparing of her bloud; the Surgeons worke, which may be profitable, when the breaſts, or the other parts are infeſted with a Cancer, muſt in this caſe be omitted: firſt, becauſe he cannot have a full view of it, and ſecondly, being irritated by his adminiſtrations, it would caſt the Patient into Convulſion Fits, in regard of117 the conſent which it hath with the braine, which by this meanes would preſently periſh.
Ʋlcers happen in the Matrix ſeverall wayes, either upon the coming down of the whites, proceeding from an acrimonious and ſharp humour, or elſe from clefts and chaps, which are not eaſily curable, becauſe of the humour which inſinuating it ſelfe, corrodes, and exulcerates the part.
The ſignes of an Ʋlcer in the Matrix are, a pricking paine about the privie parts, fluxes of a virulent and corrupt humour, a gentle Fever, idle talking, and ſometimes ſounding Fits.
Theſe Vlcers are very hard to cure, partly becauſe of the diſtance of the place, the virulency and malignity of them, and partly alſo, becauſe it is ſo full of Nerves, that they hinder the coaleſcence, and healing of it.
The moſt proper and convenient diet which in this caſe you can preſcribe, is that which is moderate and temperate: let her ſurrender her whole deſires to ſleepe, not fearing any exceſſe; hot meats muſt be avoided, and exerciſe muſt be forborne; but above all things, let her refuſe her husband in his loving offers of Benevolence; for by heat118 and motion the humours melt, and falling down upon the Matrix, they exaſperate the Vlcers.
When you let bloud open the black vein; a Vomit may be given with ſecurity, and ſafety, but the event of a Purge is doubtfull: yet if you preſcribe one, let it be very gentle for the reaſons aforeſaid.
Locall remedies are very proper and profitable: ſo are Baths, and the Injections which we have already commended to you; provided, that you add a dram and a hall of the Trochiſch. alb. Rhaſis, with two ounces of Hydromel, and the whey of Goa••milke.
If you can gather from the confeſſion of the ſick woman, that theſe Vlcers owe their beginning to the French Pox, having firſt made triall of all theſe remedies aforeſaid, as well univerſall, as particular, preſcribe compoſitions which receive Mercury, the ſeverall formes whereof, if God permit, when we deſcribe the Cure of the French Pox, we ſhall ſet down at large.
THat wormes breed in all the parts of our bodies is a truth not to be denyed. The Cauſe of theſe wormes is a viſcous, phlegmatick, raw, and cold humour, ſticking by its clammineſſe to the very Matrix, or to the neck thereof, and by degrees putrifying.
The ſignes of them are a dew, or moiſture upon the lips of the Matrix, ſlenderneſſe, troubleſome ſleeps, an itching in the belly, and a ſlow Fever.
This is a diſeaſe full of moleſtation, in regard of the Fever, and the want of ſleep, which waſte and conſume the ſick Creature.
To facilitate the Cure, a dry regiment is neceſſary; meats that yield a thick, cold, and moiſt juice muſt be avoided; her beer ſhould be boiled with rubarbe, purſelane, or ſorrell, and you may purge her body with pills of maſtick, or de Hiera, cum agaries, or
Take an ounce of graſſe roots.
120The leaves of plan•ane.
Tanſie, of each a handfull.
Two drams of ci••n ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of balme water to a pint, in the ſtrained liquor infuſe for the ſpace of a night
Three drams of the choiſeſt Rubarb,
A dram and a halfe of agarick Troch.
Coralline,
Hartſhorne prepared, of each a dram.
In the moring ſet them upon a gentle fire, allow them one or two bublings, ſtraine them, and preſſe out the liquor, and then add
Foure ounces of Diacni•u.
Mingle them for an Apozem.
Every other day let her drinke three ounces of it.
You may make your injections after this manner.
Take halfe an ounce of Dittany roots.
The leaves of Tanſie,
Calamint, of each a handfull.
Halfe a handfull of Century the leſſe.
Two drams of citron ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of honied water to nine ounces, add
An ounce and a halfe of Syrup of Wormewood.
Two drams of aloes in powder.
121Meale of Lupines.
Rubarb in powder, of each a dram.
Mingle them, and make an Injection to ſerve three times, or
Take the roots of Coſtmary,
Ariſtolochy, the long, of each two drams,
Coloquintida,
Aloes,
The gall of an Ox, of each three drams.
Two drams of hartshorne prepared.
Boil them in a ſufficient quantity of wormwood water to nine ounces, every morning inject three ounces of the ſtrained liquor.
Or make a plaiſter of the things aforeſaid, according to art, and lay it to the privie parts.
The ſame adminiſtrations will ſerve againſt the ſtone in the Matrix; provided that you are ſure, that that is the Materiall and efficient Cauſe; that is a thick, ſlow and viſco••humour, the other, namely the efficient, is an immoderate heat.
Stones many times alſo are generated of a corruption, or matter congealed in the Matrix, and grown dry; the Cauſe is twofold; one inward, the other outward; the inward hath already been declared; the outward is a thick, cold, and wateriſh meat, ſuppeditating matter to the Concretion122 of the ſtone: as milke, fiſh, pulſe, and other groſſe aliments, as cheeſe and muddy ale.
The Stone in the Matrix is known by the paine in the part, and if you preſſe down the Matrix the paine is exaſperated.
The woman conceives not, her Courſes come down immoderately, and if ſhe put her finger up her fundament, ſhe may feele the Stone. Uſe your utmoſt ſpeed and diligence to cure it; for whereas the Matrix is as the ſinke, or common ſhore, into which Nature empties out all the groſſe and ſuperfluous bloud, it may be feared that that corrupt matter will turne to a Stone, which in continuance of time growes ſometimes to ſuch a bigneſſe (as we of our own knowledge can teſtifie) that it fills the whole capacity of the Matrix, and totally ſuppreſſeth the Courſes, breeding Vlcers full of corruption and purulency.
The Cure conſiſts in a good regiment, in the preparation of the humours, and in the evacuation and expurgation of them, to prepare the humours, give her this Apozem following.
Take the roots of parſly.
Eryngos,
Fennill,
Alexander, of each halfe an ounce.
123The leaves of Germander,
Violets, of each a handfull.
White Maidenhaire,
Century the leſſe, of each halfe a handfull.
The ſeeds of grummell,
Nettles, of each two drams.
Six drams of raiſins pickt and ſtoned.
Foure drams of licoras,
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of barley water, to two pints, to the ſtrained liquor add
Syrupe of the five roots.
Syrup of Lemons, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem.
When ſhe hath drunk the Apozem, make ready this Potion.
Take the roots of Polypody,
Mariſh mallowes,
The leaves of Violets,
Mallowes, of each a handfull.
The leaves of Sena,
Baſtard ſaffron ſeeds, of each halfe an ounce.
Agarick Trochiſchated,
Mechoacha, of each two drams.
Macerate them a whole night in a ſufficient quantity of Rheniſh wine to eight ounces, and boyle them gently in the morning, ſtraine and preſſe out the liquor with a124 ſtrong hand, and add to it
Halfe an ounce of Electuary Diacarthamum.
Mingle them together, and make a Potion for two doſes to be taken every other day.
We have already furniſht you with Fomentations, Poultiſſes, Oyntments, Plaiſters, and halfe tubs to bath in, which are very ſerviceable in this cure; but above all things inject theſe glyſters following very often, throughout the whole progreſſe of the Cure.
Take nine ounces of ſome emollient decoction.
Diacatholicon,
Benedicta Laxativa, of each an ounce.
Oyle of Dill.
Oyle of bitter Almonds, of each ſix drams.
A dram of Sal gemme.
Mingle them, and make your glyſter, or
Take the roots of reſtharrow,
Mariſh mallowes, of each halfe an ounce.
The leaves of mallowes.
Violets,
Pellitory of the wall,
Mercury, of each a handfull.
The tops of Dill,
Camomile flowers, of each half a handfull.
Line ſeed.
125Fenugreek, of each three drams.
Two drams of nettle ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water to nine ounces, to the ſtrained liquor add
Diaphenicon.
Benedicta laxàtiva, of each an ounce.
Oyle of Lillies,
Unſalted butter, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Mingle them and make a glyſter.
When theſe things are done, let the Midwife put her finger up into the Patients Fundament, and artificially preſſe downe the belly upon the bones, that joyne neer the privie parts, that the place where the ſtone lies, may be raiſed up: this being dryed, put in a hooked inſtrument, and draw it out, as we have ſometimes ſeen it done, but afterwards let iſſues made in her body be kept open.
PRovident Nature that ſhe might contrive the continuation of Mankinde for a long time, if not in the Individuall, yet at leaſt in the Species, hath imprinted in thoſe parts dedicated to generation, a vehement, continuall, and inexpreſſible128 appetite to propagation: and thus by a due commixture of the womans bloud with the ſeed of the man, ſhe formeth and faſhioneth a Creature in the Matrix, which at a certaine, and appointed time, ſhe ſends forth into the world compleat, and perfect in its Conformation.
Wherefore in my Judgement, Conception is nothing elſe then a receiving of the mans ſeed in the Matrix, being exquiſitely and proportionably intermingled, aptly retained, and fully perfected, and therefore by the rule of Contraries, we may affirme Barrenneſſe to be a Depravation, or defect of theſe operations.
Barrenneſſe is either naturall, and acquired from the firſt Elements of the Conformation, or introduced by ſickneſſe; or laſtly Reſpective, namely in reference to the Man, or the Woman, the firſt is incurable; for no Phyſitian can correct thoſe errours, which Nature commits in the myſterious purpoſe of our generation; one of theſe errours is the ſtraightneſſe of thoſe paſſages which lead to the Matrix, being ſometimes ſo narrow that they hinder the right tranſmiſſion of the ſeed into the veſſells of Generation, or if it be injected, yet is it received with ſo much paine and129 labour, that the Matrix doth neither concoct nor perfect it, another errour is the wideneſſe of thoſe parts, into which although the ſeed be duely ejaculated, yet it preſently ſlips out againe, becauſe the capacity of the Matrix is too wide; the crookedneſſe of the veſſells alſo may be another impediment; for we may many times meet with jeſting errours, as I may call them, in the workmanſhips of Nature; thus in one body a double Matrix hath been ſeen, in another two hearts, in a third, the Spleen placed where the Liver ſhould ſtand, and many other ſuch like recreations of Nature, as Realdus Columbus hath diſcourſed of the•at large in his Anatomy.
The ſecond kinde of barrenneſſe is that which is contracted by ſome diſeaſe; for whereas the ſeed is a certaine ſpirituall ſubſtance, generated of the pureſt part of the bloud, it is neceſſary that it ſhould be concocted in a temperate wombe; but if the Matrix be too hot, it conſumes the ſeed, as a little water thrown into a fire, is preſently dryed up, and on the contrary, if it bee too moiſt and cold, the actions that are ordained for conception are weakned, and diſabled, becauſe cold is unprofitable, and uſeleſſe for any function: it ſhuts up130 the mouthes of the veines in the Matrix: it renders a woman averſe from, and indiſpoſed to the pleaſure of the Lawfull ſheets; for a wateriſh ſeed cooles the Teſticles, and makes them unapt to elaborate the ſeed, and make it fit to unite and mix with the mans ſeed; unto theſe impediments Hippocrates hath alſo added another which in his Aphoriſms he calls a thick Matrix.
From all which it is manifeſt, that the temperate Matrix is moſt fruitfull, namely that which obtaines a mediocrity, approaching to no exceſſe, either of an active or paſſive quality; by the univerſall Conſtitution of the whole body, you may beſt diſcerne the temperature of the wombe, which is moſt fit for conception; for ſuch women are freſh coloured, and of a roſie complexion, gentle of behaviour, affable in their cariage, merry and pleaſant in their converſation, not dull and drowſie, and full of penſiveneſſe.
The third cauſe of barrenneſſe proceeds neither from the Nativity of the Patient, nor from any ſicknes, but relates to the man, as for example; one and the ſame woman may have had Children by a former husband, and yet no children by a ſecond huſband, not becauſe ſhe is now barren, or unfruitfull,131 but ſhe is ſo called becauſe of her husband, by whom ſhe hath now no children, the caſe is likewiſe the ſame on the mans part, reſpectively to the woman; but perhaps you will demand a reaſon hereof, I anſwer; becauſe the proportion and temperature of both the ſeeds, which ought to concur to generation, are contrary the one to the other; for the ſeed both of the man and the woman, if it be prolificall and fruitfull, will be of a white, and ſhineing colour, not thin and wateriſh, but of a thick, and compacted ſubſtance, in ſent, like unto the flowers of the Dwarfelder tree, and being put into water, it will ſinke to the bottome; but that which is unfit for generation will ſwim upon the top of the water, and is in all reſpects contrary to the former; the man ought to be of a ſtrong conſtitution, well ſet, full of muſeles, and neither too ſlender, nor too thick; for thoſe that are ſlender, are uſually too weak to get children, at leaſt ſuch is are healthfull, ſtrong, and lively, and thoſe who are to groſſe, are commonly of a cold temper, have a thin and ſlippery ſeed, and are more deſirous of Venery, then able to performe it.
Barren men are commonly beardleſs, ſlow132 in imagination, and dull in practiſe, becauſe their ſeed is cold, and containes not any ſpirit to tickle, and warme their Phantaſies, but they ſit like images, and are ſad, and inſociable; on the contrary, hairy men, that have Teſticles of an indifferent ſize, and a well concocted ſeed, are cheerefull, affable, ever frequenting the young company of Maids, and Virgin•, being excited by the flagrancy of their eyes to Venereous dalliances, and luſtfull ſpeculations.
After the ſame manner we muſt give judgement concerning women, which beſides the ſignes aforeſaide, if they be bald ▪ and hareleſſe in the privie parts, they are ſuſpected to be barren; but if they be rough, and full of haire, it is a ſigne that they are fruitfull; the wiſer ſort of Phyſitians know, that much haire is an undeniable argument of much heat, and of the ſtrength of that heat, which driveth out thoſe fuliginous humours, whereof thoſe haires are generated.
Thoſe women that have black haire, are more apt for Venery, then any other complexion, becauſe they are hotter, and have their Courſes in a more plentifull manner: which Courſes, how conducible they are to133 make her fruitfull, is manifeſt to any ordinary capacity, becauſe the menſtruous blood is one of the Principles of our generation.
Other ſorts of barren women muſt be referred to this Catalogue, as thoſe that are luxuriant, and the whoriſh crew; the former, becauſe by frequent coition their bodies become empty of ſeed, and if any at that time be ejaculated, it is not fit for generation, becauſe Nature is not allowed time enough to elaborate and concoct it: and the latter ſort conceive not, partly by reaſon that many, and various ſeeds are mingled together, and partly alſo by reaſon of their frequent cohabitation with men, whereby the neck of the Matrix is made ſo ſlippery, that it cannot retaine the mans ſeed.
It will not be impertinent to enquire at what time women begin to have their Courſes? I anſwer, that for the moſt part, they begin when the Virgin is twelve years of age, and end when ſhe hath attained to•orty five: and in all that intercourſe of•ime women are held capable of children;•ut if any Auhors will affirme that women•ay conceive, before and after thoſe fore•med periods of time; we alſo affirme,•at this is not ordinary, but very rare;134 let the learned Reader conſult Marcell•s Donatus, and S•kenchius de menſtruo ſangui••, in the chapter de cita & ſera Conceptione admiranda, and he will ſtraight demand, whither a woman can conceive without the Menſtruum? I anſwer negatively; for when either Principle of Generation i•defective, there can be no conception; if you ſtill obtrude upon me, that many women have conceived without the Menſtruum, I grant it to be true; if you ſpea•of the outward Menſtruum, namely that, which we call their monethly Courſes: but if you meane it of the inward, that is of that, which runnet•out of the veſſells into the Matrix for conception ſake, you are deceived; for no woman can conceive without this inward menſtruum; you will ask againe peradventure, can a woman conceive without pleaſure? and whither i••e abſolutely neceſſary that the ſeeds ſhould be intermingled, and that the man and the woman ſhould both ſpend at one, and the ſame point of time? to the firſt I anſwer, that they enjoy an unſpeakable pleaſure, although tha•conduceth littl•or nothing to conception; and to the ſecond I affirme, that it is not neceſſar•that they both ſpend at one time, althoug•135I confeſſe that may facilitate, and much help conception, but that it is ſufficient, if the ſeed be received into the Matrix, and rightly concocted; for there is in the womans ſeed, ſuch an earneſt, covetous, and greedie deſire, to embrace, and be united with the ſeed of the man, that although the man ſpend after the woman, yet ſhe ſucks it in, and the conception is nevertheleſſe perfect.
Thus we have declared unto you (with all poſſible obſervation of modeſt expreſſions) the Cauſes of barrenneſſe in generall; and the ſignes of ſuch men and women that are unfruitfull, by which notes you may diſcerne the particular conſtitution of either Sex.
It would be needleſſe to ſet down any prognoſtick ſignes, becauſe from a true conſideration of the precedent notes, you may raiſe an unerring determination, whither the fault be in the man, or the woman.
Let us now advance to the cure; we have ſaid that there is a threefold kinde of barrenneſſe, Naturall, Reſpective, and that which is contracted by ſome diſeaſe; that which comes from the Nativity of the Patient is incurable; but that which136 is comparative in relation to the woman, or the man, may have help from artificiall adminiſtrations; for if the man or the woman be unfruitfull through an exceſſe of the firſt qualities, that intemperance muſt be corrected; how to bring this to paſſe, now heare and underſtand; if any man thoroughly knoweth how to cure that barrenneſſe, which comes by ſickneſſe, the ſame man will be able to particularize every cauſe that introduceth unfruitfulneſſe.
Now this barrenneſſe that happens by reaſon of ſome diſeaſe, muſt be cured by a diſtinct obſervation of the cauſe, whereupon it hath dependance; if it proceed from an Ʋlcer, that Ʋlcer muſt be cured; if it ariſe from frequent coition, the incontinent perſon muſt curb her, or his appetite; if the Ayre be a ſuſpected cauſe, remove to another place; if any poyſon hath got into the body, by the power and malignity whereof, the ſpirit which is in the ſeed is weakned, and dulled, you muſt preſcribe remedies of Bezar ſtone, and apply ſuch medicines to the privities, as have a faculty to reſiſt poyſon.
If the party be bewitched, as it often comes to paſſe, even by the malicious art137 of the Devill, or his inſtruments, beſides the ordinary helps, you muſt indeavour to ſubdue the evill with other meanes, as the learned Fernelius hath taught us in his booke de abdit is rerum cauſis; for ſome diſeaſes and remedies exceed the limits and boundaries of Nature.
If ſlenderneſſe be the cauſe of unfruitfullneſſe; you muſt nouriſh and fatten the body with meats that yeild good juyce, and with moiſtning baths: and you muſt be carefull to avoid evacuations, and all other things, which weaken the ſtrength, and exhauſt the ſpirits.
If fatneſſe hinder fruitfulneſſe; the body muſt be extenuated, made lean, dried, and rub'd, and all other meanes muſt be uſed to diſſolve and evacuate the thick juyces; the Patient muſt accuſtome her ſelfe to much exerciſe, refraine from anger, and all paſſions of the minde, and content her ſelfe with little ſpleen; for theſe things introduce leanneſſe, bring down the body, and take away all groſſeneſſe, and corpulency; for the ſame purpoſe alſo you may frequent the Bath, and hot houſes, for ſweating doth much extenuate a fat body. If the Affect be produced by an exceſſe of the firſt foure qualities, as we have138 already intima••d, that hot diſtemper muſt be corrected by a various adminiſtration of remedies, in contrariety to that exceſſe; firſt with a cold, and moiſt ayre, for in ſuch caſes, a hot ayre weakens our ſtrength, and drawes out the naturall heat to the circumference, inflames, diſſolves, and enervates the faculties of the Matrix, and becauſe a hot diſtemper cannot long continue ſimple, and uncompounded, but in a ſhort ſpace aſſociates to it ſelfe a dry diſtemper, therefore the aliments muſt be moyſt to reſiſt the increaſe of that drought, which is not cured without much trouble and difficulty, if it be once introduced into the Matrix, which by Nature is a dry and nervous part; wherefore let her drinke be potentially moiſt, as ſmall beer, or a decoction of barley, but enjoyn her an abſtinence from wine, and all ſuch meats as are ſpiced with cinamon, and Ginger.
Let her meat be of eaſie concoction and diſtribution, potentially cold, and moiſt, that is, cold and moiſt in their qualities, and operation, though they be actually hot when ſhe eats them, it would be ſuperfluous to name them, having already ſufficiently ſpoken of them in the precedent139 chapters of a hot dihemper in the Matrix, and an inflammation in the Matrix.
It will be convenient to draw bloud from the baſilick vein, in the right arme, and if the hot diſhemper be the cauſe, that the Patient hath not her Courſes, cut a veine in her ankle.
Moreover you may prepare cooling, and moiſtning Juleps after this manner.
Take Syrup of Violets and water lillies, of each two ounces.
Twelve ounces of Endine water.
Six drops of Spirit of〈◊〉, mingle them, or
Take Syrup of horage, and Syrupe of purſelane, of each an ounce and a halſ••
A decoction of let•uce, wash••cumber citrull, gourd, and melon feeds, of〈◊〉a diam and a halfe, take a pint and alhalfe of the decoction mingled with the Syrups, and〈◊〉her drink it at three doſes.
Preſcribe a Purge alſo to evacuate•holer.
Take three drams of the beſt rubarb.
A ſcuple and a halfe of citron ſeeds.
Macerate them a night in a ſufficient quantity of a decoction of tama•inds, to two ounces and a halfe, in the morning ſtraine and preſſe them, and to the liquor140 add three drams of the Electuary Diaprun. laxative. Halfe an ounce of Syrupe of Violets by infuſion, mingle them, and give it in the morning.
Whey of it ſelfe is exceeding wholſome, or elſe you may thus compound it for your Patient.
Take an ounce of borage roots.
Two handfulls of ſorrell leaves with the roots.
Endive and borage leaves, of each a handfull.
Six drams of tamarinds.
Boyle them in a ſufficient quantity of whey to a quart, and in the ſtrained liquor infuſe for a whole night
Halfe an ounce of choiſe rubarb.
Two ſcruples of Cinamon.
In the morning let them bubble a little over a gentle fire, and when you have preſt them hard, add
Three ounces of Syrupe of roſes laxative.
Mingle them together for an Apozem.
Which is of moſt excellent vertue to correct the heat, and diſtemper of all the veynes, and principall parts; this Bath alſo will be very effectuall to coole the body.
Take foure handfulls of vine leaves.
The leaves of mallowes, violets, and endive,141 of each two handfulls.
A handfull and a halfe of bran.
A handfull of ſalt.
Boyle them in a ſufficient quantity of water to eight quarts, let her hold her feet in the ſtrained water, two or three houres together.
You may likewiſe prepare fomentations of the hearbe aforeſaid, and bath the privities, the Liver and the Reynes of the back; and afterwards you may make uſe of this oyntment.
Take two ounces of unguent. infrigidantis Galeni.
An ounce of Cerat. Sautalin.
Oyle of roſes, and oyle of violets, of each halfe an ounce.
Two drams of the powder of red corall.
Halfe an ounce of vinegar of roſes.
With a ſufficient quantity of white wax, make an oyntment according to Art.
Take the liquor which is diſtilled out of Cockles, Snailes, or Frogs, mingle it with Saccharum perlatum, and give it her to drink, as a moſt effectuall remedy againſt this Diſeaſe.
A decoction of young Chickens boiled with prunes, and borage leaves, and taken every morning upon an empty ſtomack,142 doth refreſh the body, ſtrengthen the ſpirits, moiſten the Matrix, cleanſeth away the foulneſſe that groweth in thoſe parts, and very powerfully reſiſts the cauſes of barrenneſſe.
When unfruitfulneſſe proceedoth from a cold diſtemper, you muſt obſerve a contrary method of cure; as for example.
The ayre muſt incline to hot and dry, the meat muſt be alſo potentially hot and dry: and becauſe this cold diſtemper in perpetually conſociated with moiſtu••, whereby cloudy and groſſe v•pours get into the Matrix, which is cold and ne•vous, therefore it will be requiſite to correct this coldneſſe, to take away the moiſture, and to conſume, and diſſipate thoſe windy vapours; from hence you may gather, that this is a very frequent cauſe of barrenneſſe, and abortiveneſſe; and ſo likewiſe are flatulent and windy humours; for they extreamely ſwell the Matrix, ſo that the ſeed cannot be perfectly retained, neither can the child be held faſt by the Cotyledous.
When you attempt the Cure, abſtaine from Phlebotomy, unleſſe it be preparative onely, to disburthen the oppreſſed veſſells; when the Patient is in the ſpring of her143 yeares, and at the Spring of the yeare, leaſt by taking away the bloud, the ſpirits ſhould be waſted, the humours ſhould become more cold, and indigeſted, which otherwiſe, were not the bloud prodigally let out, might be ſeaſonably concocted, and this you may obſerve with the learned Fernelius, to preſcribe a Purge, before you open a veine in crude bodies, that the firſt region may be cleanſed; if any man ſhall raſhly proceed to a contrary courſe, doubtleſſe with great diſadvantange to the Patient, he ſhall pervert the right order of Nature: for when as he hath emptied the veines by Phlebotomy, he will fill them again with that filthy accumulation of corrupt humours, which they ſuck in with greedineſſe from the firſt places, and ſo he ſhall not leſſen, but double the diſeaſe; the Purge may be made as followeth.
Take a dram and a halfe of the whiteſt agarick.
Two drams of baſtard Saffron ſeeds.
A ſcruple of Ginger.
Halfe a dram of Anniſeeds.
Macerate them a whole night in a ſufficient quantity of marjoram water, to three ounces; in the morning preſſe them hard, and add
144Diaphenicon and Diacuicum, of each halfe an ounce.
Mingle them, and let her drink it in the morning.
If her body be not ſufficiently open, give the ſame potion every third day, or elſe preſcribe this Glyſter following.
Take nine ounces of a mollifying decoction made with marjoram and groundpine, or germander, of each a handfull.
Diacarthamum and Diaphenicon, of each an ounce.
An ounce and a halfe of honey of roſes ſtrained.
Mingle them, and make a Glyſter.
When you have thoroughly purged the body, and taken away the cauſe, the parts muſt be ſtrengthned, and the diſtemper muſt be corrected with theſe pills.
Take a dram of right lign. aloes beaten to powder.
Two ſcruples of aloes ro ſat.
Musk and amber, of each a ſcruple.
With a ſufficient quantity of alkermes, make thirty five pills.
Let her ſwallow five of them, or fewer, every morning; they are exceedingly provocative, and withall they ſtrengthen the braine, the heart, the liver, and the Matrix;145 when the man and the woman intend conjunction, let him anoint his yard with oyle of maſtick, and wormewood mingled with a few graines of musk and civet; and let the woman alſo anoynt her privie parts therewith, as well within as without; for by this meanes there is raiſed a mutuall inclination to Venery, and the ſeed is received with a greater pleaſure, and is more duely retained and elaborated; reaſon it ſelfe will convince us, that ſweating remedies made of ebony, and Salſapa•illa will mightily help, and prepare the Matrix; for they expell the windy humours, ſtrengthen the Matrix, and diſſipate the fuliginous and groſſe vapours; naturall Baths are excellent for the ſame purpoſes, and ſo are Treacle, Mithridate, Alkermes, Aromaticum roſatum, Diarrhodon Abbatis, Diamargarit. calidum, and Diacinnamomum; and laſtly if you deſire any ſatisfaction from our opinion concerning Iſſues, we anſwer, that they evacuate thoſe cold and thick juyces which daily flow unto, and ſettle in the Matrix, and therefore, as we ſaid almoſt every where, we affirme the uſe of them to be very expedient, and conducible.
A Mola is an unprofitable and ſhape••••lump of fleſh, bred in the Matrix of the menſtruous bloud, as the Materiall cauſe thereof, according to the opinion of Galen, in ſundry places of his works.
He ſaith of the menſtruous bloud, that it, ſuch as is very thick and much hardned in the Matrix; but note, that he doth not here exclude the ſeed of the man, for every Phyſitian knowes that a Mola proceeds from a mixture of the menſtruum, and•corrupted ſeed, which indeed doth ſomewhat indeavour Conception, but cannot perfect it: neither is there any cauſe of wonder that ſuch a lump of deformity ſhould be faſhioned in the wombe, ſeeing that ſeverall kindes of monſters are bred there, according to the variety of th•humour, which floweth into the Matrix; h•that would acquaint himſelfe with th•knowledge of theſe things, may rea•147Skenkius his Obſervations, and the wonderfull ſtories related by Marcellus Donatus; if alſo he would ſearch into, and examine the true cauſe of theſe things, let him read Laurentius his book of Anatomy.
But why doth this breed in the Matrix onely of a woman, and not in ſome other part? I anſwer, becauſe, although the bloud may congeale, and become clotted in the other parts of the body, yet it happens ſo more frequently in the Matrix of a woman, then in any other part of her body, becauſe the Matrix is as the common ſhoore of the body, where moſt of the excrements are exonerated.
But why doth a Mola breed in women onely? I anſwer, becauſe women onely have an abundance of this menſtruum, more then other Creatures, and that their bodies are full of groſſe, thick, and tenacious humours, by reaſon that for the moſt part they uſe a moiſt diet, and abandon themſelves to a reproveable, and diſorderly courſe of life. This Mola is of ſeverall kindes; for ſometimes it is wateriſh, ſometimes windy and humorall, and ſometimes againe 'tis skinnie and bloudy; this laſt is the moſt ordinary, and all Phyſitians have granted it, this is that which148 is moſt uſually preſented to our obſervation; and laſtly, this is that which ſo often hath deceived women, who boaſted themſelves to be with childe, and were not, and their Phyſitians alſo who told them they were with child, when they were not.
Wherefore to avoid theſe common couzenages, let us be circumſpect in the knowledge, and right underſtanding of the ſignes, which are a ſwelling, with a drawing back of the Hypochondriacall parts, the women grow leane, are full of paine, and very apt to long; the belly is burthened, her back aketh, her breaſts ſwell, and her Courſes are ſtopped, and that at the beginning of her conception: but afterwards in proceſſe of time, ſhe ſeemes to have the Dropſey, her belly is ſo immoderately ſwelled; but you may know this from a Dropſey; for in that the belly ſounds like a Drum: the woman feeles within a kinde of fluctuation, or waving motion, and if a finger be laid hard upon her belly, the print of it remaines.
A Mola is diſtinguiſhed from a perfect conception, by three moſt certain ſignes, that is, by the motion, by the milk, and by the time that a woman beareth her149 childe; in the motion, becauſe there is a great difference between the motion of a childe, and the motion or ſtirring of a Mola, becauſe the childe kicks, and turneth about to all the parts of the bottome of the belly, but a Mola moveth like a Globe, now on the right ſide, and anon on the left; this alſo, if you preſſe down the womans belly with a gentle hand, removeth from the place, and returnes not ſuddenly into it againe; and from the milke you may gather a never-failing ſigne, becauſe the breaſts ſwell all the time a woman is with childe; but in the other it happeneth otherwiſe; the time likewiſe affords a never-failing ſigne; for if the ſwelling of the belly continue beyond the eleventh moneth (which is the moſt conſtant and certaine period of a womans Reckoning) and no ſignes of a Dropſie at that time appeare, you may warrant your owne confidence that ſhe hath a Mola, but no childe in her belly.
This is a moſt dangerous diſeaſe; for many times a woman carries it in her wombe, the ſpace of two or three yeares, and ſometimes longer, inſomuch that the naturall heat is ſuffocated therewith, moreover, in the expulſion of it, there is150 no ſmall danger, for many times it groweth to ſuch a bigneſſe, that it comes not away without extreame hazard of the womans life: for a great Iſſue of bloud enſueth, whereby the ſpirits being ſpent and exhauſted, ſhe waxeth feeble, wan and pale, and many times periſheth in the very act of expelling it.
This evill hath a twofold manner of Cure; one Preſervative, to prevent the Generation or breeding of the Mola, and the other curative, to deſtroy and bring it away, when it is bred; and this laſt is alſo twofold; for the firſt deſigne muſt be to exclude it; and the ſecond to ſave the woman in the very act of excluding it.
The Preſervation conſiſts in a due obſervation of theſe things following; the ayre ſhe lives in muſt be hot and dry, and the place healthfull, being ſcituate towards the Eaſt: let her keep a good diet, feeding upon meats that yield a wholſome nouriſhment to the body, and ſuch as are ſoone concocted, and diſtributed to all the parts: let her choice alſo be rather of hot, then cold meats, avoiding ſuch as are fat, ſalt, and hardned with ſmoak, fiſh which breed thick, windy, and viſcous juyces, are unwholſome for151 her; ſhe cannot deſire a more wholeſome drink then Wormewood wine, or excellent generous French wine: her belly muſt be kept open and ſoluble; exerciſe muſt be uſed, and ſleep refrained: angry chidings and cares of the minde muſt be moderated, and all ſuch things for borne, as dry the bloud, and diminiſh the naturall heat.
In the next place prepare the thick, and groſſe humours with Rhodomel, Syrupe of wormewood, Syrupe of mint, and the like, mingled with ſome convenient water, afterwards preſcribe this Purge.
Take three drams of Sena,
A ſcruple of Agarick Trochiſcht.
A dram of the root Mechoaca.
A dram and a halfe of anniſeeds.
Boile them a ſhort ſpace in a ſufficient quantity of pure water to three ounces: then ſtraine and preſſe them, and to the remaining liquor add three drams of Diaphenicon. Mingle them, and let her drink it in the morning early.
If her Courſes be ſtopped, cut a veine in her ankle; Leeches alſo may be applyed to the Hemorrhoids, but with caution and warineſſe, leaſt thereby you more and more weaken ſuch women, whoſe bodies are full of raw and indigeſted humours,152 afterwards you muſt purge her body again, with a ſcruple of extract. Catholic. and as much of maſſ. pillul. faetidar. and laſtly, preſcribe an Apozem, or Decoction to cut aſunder, and evacuate the groſſe and tough humours ▪ to provoke urine, to open the obſtructions of the Matrix, and to bring down the Courſes: all which vertues meet together in this Compoſition following.
Take the roots of ſmallage,
Eryngos,
And Fennill, of each halfe an ounce.
The barke of the root of the Caper,
And Tamarisk tree, of each two drams.
The leaves of penniroyall, and birthwort, of each a handfull.
Germander, Maidenhaire, Balm, of each halfe a handfull.
Ten drams of Sena.
Three drams of agarick trochiſcht.
A dram and a halfe, or two drams of Epythymum.
Boile them all according to art, in a ſufficient quantity of water, wherein ſteele hath been infuſed to a quart: when you have ſtrained, and with a ſtrong hand preſ•out the liquor, add
Three ounees of Syrup of roſes.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem, or
153Take the roots of Butchers broome,
Aſparagus,
Polypody of the oak,
And fennill, of each halfe an ounce.
The leaves of Penniroyall,
And motherwort, of each a handfull.
A dram and a halfe of anniſe ſeeds.
The flowers of Violets, Roſemary, and Borage, of each as many as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers.
An ounce of raiſins of the Sun.
Boyle them in a ſufficient quantity of barley water to a quart. In the ſtrained liquor infuſe for a night
Ten ounces of Sena.
Three drams of the whiteſt agarick.
Two drams of the beſt rubarb.
A dram of Epithymum.
In the morning let them buble once, or twice, and then to the liquor which you preſſe out, add
Syr. Byzantin.
And Syr. de eupatorio, of each an ounce.
Mingle them and make an Apozem.
Of this, or of the former let her take twice in a day the quantity of three ounces for a week together, once in the morning, and the ſecond time at foure a clock•n the afternoon.
154Excellent Lozenges may be made of the ſpecies Diamoſch. and Diacinnamomum, or you may compound them with Treacle, Mithridate, and Bezoar ſtone.
When the Mola hath obtained ſome growth, if it be wateriſh, it muſt be brought away with ſuch ſimples, as have a faculty to purge out wateriſh humours; or i•it be windy, you muſt preſcribe ſuch medicines, as are of a known, and approved vertue to ſtrengthen the Matrix, and to expell winde; and Carminative glyſters in ſuch caſes will be very convenient; ſo alſo will plaiſters and fomentations applyed to her privie parts: but that which is humorall, skinny and bloudy may be overcome with the ſame remedies as are ſet down at the beginning, againſt the ſtoppage of the Courſes.
When Nature indeavours to expell this unprofitable burthen, and an iſſue of bloud enſueth thereupon, with fainting and ſwounding fits, then you muſt be diligent to ſtrengthen the Patient with broths made of the fleſh of Capons, and Partridges, and with ſuch things as will ſtay the bloud, and refreſh the exhauſted ſpirits; ſuch as are Chalybeated wine, Sugar of Pearle, Corall, &c.
155You will object that wine cannot be ſeaſonable, becauſe by the heat thereof it makes the bloud thin, and makes it more apt to flow away in greater meaſure by opening the paſſages, rather then it can any way help to ſtay it. I anſwer, it is not guilty of this miſchiefe, if it hath a reddiſh Tincture; for if good Claret wine be chalybeated, as hath bin ſaid, beſides that it nouriſheth the b•dy, it is alſo a binder; for it comforteth the ſpirits, and refreſheth the whole body, which vermes muſt needs be profitable for, and welcome unto a Creature, who is hourely ſubject to faint and ſwound, and although it might provoke the bloud to flow, yet a greater good muſt be preferred before a ſmall inconvenience, and therefore give her wine to refreſh her ſpirits, which will be more to her advantage, then the iſſue of bloud can be to her prejudice, for ſhe may periſh ſuddenly in one of thoſe fits, but the flux of bloud may be reſtrained by degrees.
Note that foure things require an abſtinence from wine. Firſt, an inflammation of the bowells. Secondly, a vehement paine in the head. Thirdly, a Phrenſie. And fourthly, a burning Fever in a crude156 diſeaſe; and of this opinion was Galen, as appeares in his firſt book ad Glauconem, and the 14. chapter. Moreover the Patient ſhould be refreſhed with the choiceſt meats, and then the Mola ſhould be diſpoſed to come forth by ſoftning and looſening fomentations, made of a decoction of mariſhmallowes, mallowes, motherwort, Mercury, Birthwort, Sage, Hyſſope, Calamint, the ſeeds of line, mariſhmallowes, fenugreek, camomile, melilot, and roſemary; in this you may dip a clout, and bath her privie parts.
But if the bloud come not away, rub her legs, and apply drie Cuppinglaſſes to the calfes of her legs, and binde moſt painfull ligatures about them; and in a word make tryall of all ſuch remedies, as will draw down Nature, the humours, and the Mola to the lower parts.
WOmen are ſometimes ſo extravagant and prepoſterous in their appetite, that they refuſe wholſome meat, and long after colaes, chalke, a piece of157 an old wall, ſtarch, earth, and the like traſh, which they devoure as ravenouſly, as a hungry Plowman will winde downe a good bag-pudding.
Now perhaps you may alſo long to know the cauſe hereof, which is no other then the menſtruous bloud, eſpecially if it be retained about the middle of their time, and grow corrupt; for the child in the wombe is nouriſhed with the ſweeteſt part of the bloud, and the other part remaining which is vitious, filthy, and dreggiſh, noiſome exhalations, eſpecially in the middle moneths ariſe from it, and in ſuch a manner contaminate all the upper partts, that the worſt things are vehemently deſired, and the moſt wholſome refuſed; the ſignes are apparent from the depravation and irregular temper of their ſtomack.
This Diſeaſe is hard to cure; yet not ſo much in reſpect of the diſeaſe it ſelfe, as of the ſubject wherein it is generated, which is a woman with childe; now we know that ſuch women muſt be warily,•nd religiouſly dealt withall, and unleſſe it be in extreame neceſſity, their bodies ought not to be purged. By this unavoidable abſtinence the diſeaſe is increaſed,158 and the bad humour, being long retained in the body, becomes daily more and more corrupt, by the tetrous exhalations which aſcend up from the pollutions of the Matrix: therefore having firſt appointed a ſtrengthning, and drying dyet, you muſt indeavour to rid away that humour, with Syrup of roſes ſolutive, and afterwards when the body is cleanſed, and free from the humour you may preſcribe a gentle Purge of Rubarb, which hath both a purging and a ſtrengthning faculty; for if we may adventure our beliefe to the aſſertions of the beſt Phyſitians, Rubarb may be ſafely given to old men, infants, and women with childe; and Fallopius in his booke of purging Simples, and in the chapter where he ſpeaketh of Rubarb, ſaith, it dries up all ſuperfluous moiſture contained in the veſſells of the Matrix, it is a gentle cleanſer, it ſtrengthneth the Heart, and the ſtomack by its aſtringent faculty, neither need you to entertaine the vaine feares of ſome, who ſuſpect that the bitterneſſe thereof may deſtroy the childe, for the taſte of it is not horrible to nature, and beſides the bitterneſſe quickly vaniſheth.
There remaines another doubt to be anſwered;159 namely, whether it be more proper and advantagious to preſcribe an infuſion of Rubarb, or to give it in the ſubſtance? I anſwer, that it purgeth moſt in the ſubſtance, or body of it, expelling the humours by ſiege, which it doth not in an infuſion, at leaſt not ſo powerfully, becauſe then it evacuates onely by the purgative vertue which is in it, and of the ſame opinion is the Author before named.
IT is a known truth, that moſt dangerous, direfull, and pernicious Symptomes invade women with childe, from which alſo forſaking of meat, and Vomiting doe afterwards follow, all which things proceed from thoſe noyſome and ſoggy exhalations, which are diſtributed into the ſeverall parts, from the corruption of the bloud; for whereas there is a ſympathy, and conſent between the ſtomack and the Matrix, when any poyſonous, or malignant vapour aſcendeth from160 the latter, it immediately invades, and overcomes the ſtomack, which being weakned in the conflict, or indeavour to reſiſt, and keep out thoſe vapours, the functions of it are depraved, it refuſeth all comfort or nouriſhment, or if at any time it admit any, 'tis no ſooner ſwallowed, but vomited up againe; theſe are the ſignes of this diſeaſe, and to cure it, proceed according to the Method following. In the firſt place preſcribe a cleanſing potion.
Take three drams of Elecampane roots
The leaves of wormewood, and
Century the leſſe, of each halfe a handfull.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of whole barley water to a pint, and a halfe, to the ſtrained liquor add three ounces of honey of roſes ſtrained, mingle them for a Potion; againſt the next morning prepare this purge following.
Take three drams of rubarb.
Two ſcruples of agarick Trochiſcht.
A dram of anniſe ſeeds.
Macerate them a whole night in a ſufficient 'quantity of mint water, to two ounces and a halfe; in the morning preſſe them hard with all your ſtrength, and add161 three drams of the Electuary Diaphenicon; if ſhe cannot take down a Purge, let her ſwallow theſe Pills following.
Take a dram of the maſſ. of Pills de Hiera cum agarico.
Make nine pill•, and guild them.
The next day following, give her this ſtrengthning mixture, which doth not purge at all, and every morning let her eat the quantity of a Nutmeg.
Take Elecampane roots candied,
Marmalade of Quinces, of each an ounce.
Halfe an ounce of Conſerve of red Roſes.
Foure ſcruples of aromat. roſat. in powder.
Two ſcruples of maſtick in powder.
With a ſufficient quantity of Syrup of•int make a Confection.
After the uſe of theſe things, make this plaiſter following, and lay it to her ſtomack.
Take lignum aloes,
Yellow Sanders,
And the round Cyperus, of each two drams.
Galangale, mace, cloves,
And calam. aromat. of each a dram.
Common wormewood, roman wormewood,
Spikenard, dried mint,
162Of each as much as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers.
Maſtick,
Storax calamitu.
Red Corall, of each two ſcruples.
Amber,
Musk, of each a ſcruple.
Pure ladanum,
Turpentine, of each an ounce.
Foure ounces of white wax.
Make a Maſſe; whereof let him take a ſufficient quantity, and ſpread it upon leather, and lay it to her ſtomack.
Bisket ſteeped in muskadine is excellent good for her: becauſe it refreſheth the ſpirits, and mightily ſtrengthneth the ſtomack.
VVOmen with Childe doe often feele a pain in their bellies, and this alſo proceeds from winde, and the malignant vapours aforeſaid: neither are the ſwounding Fits, or the Paſſion of the heart produced163 by any other cauſes, becauſe the heart when it is ſhaken with this fuliginous, and groſſe ſpirit, doth frequently ſtretch, and contract it ſelfe, and endeavouring to expell the evill which annoyes it, it falls into an inordinate and ſtrange motion, like unto trembling.
Under theſe diſeaſes the woman languiſheth, is full of feares and frights, prone to deſpaire, ſubject to faint, can obtaine no ſleep, but waſteth away daily, and waxeth leane and meager.
To take away her paine, you may adminiſter ſuch remedies, as will expell the winde, and ſtrengthen the bowell; of which ſort you may furniſh your ſelfe with plenty above, in the chapter of a cold diſtemper, and windy humours in the Matrix ▪
You may likewiſe anoynt the ſtomack with this oyntment following.
Take an ounce of unguent. Altheae.
Oyle of wormewood,
Oyle of Camomile,
And oyle of rue, of each three drams.
The power of lignum aloes,
Maſtick,
Wormewood,
And both ſorts of Corall, of each a dram.
164Halfe a dram of aromat. roſat. in powder.
Six drops of oyle of anniſe ſeeds.
With a ſufficient quantity of yellow wax, according to art make an oyntment.
This, or the like fomentation may likewiſe be very uſefull.
Take halfe a dram of elecampane roots.
Two drams of lignum aloes.
The leaves of Rue,
Motherwort,
Sage,
Wormewood,
Mint, of each a handfull.
Maſtick,
Cloves, of each two drams.
Boile theſe Simples in a ſufficient quantity of water to three pints, and preſcribe the ſtrained liquor for a fomentation.
After the uſe of the fomentation, clap to the ſtomack the caul of a ſheep newly killed. In Spaine the greateſt perſons, and thoſe the wiſeſt alſo, take hot bread from the oven, afterwards they ſoake it in Muskadine, and having ſprinkled upon it the powders of red and white corall, and aromat. roſatum, they lay it to the heart: others inſtead thereof uſe Treacle, Alkermes, and Confect. Hiachytorum, to all which may be added, if the evill yield not165 to the remedies aforeſaid, a little bag to be worne upon the left pap, and made after this manner following.
Take two drams of lignum aloes.
Bezoar ſtone,
Muske,
Red corall, of each a dram.
Red and yellow Sanders, of each two ſcuples.
The Specie Diamoſch.
And Diambr. of each a ſcruple and a half.
With a piece of red taffata and cotton make•quilted bombaſt for the uſe aforeſaid.
Mingle cordialls with her drinke; and cordiall conſerves, as for example.
Take two ounces of conſerve of red roſes.
Two drams of alkermes.
Macerate them a night in two pints of••antane water, and red wine, in the morning ſtraine it thorough Hippocrates his ſleeve, that is a woolen bag, and give her now•nd then the quantity of a ſmall wine•laſſe.
If theſe remedies overcome not the diſ••ſe, apply an exceeding great Cuppinglaſſe•o the heart; by the force whereof the win•y vapour will evaporate; for although•lyſters doe draw back the humour from••affected part, yet in reference to great166 bellied woman you ought to ſuſpect the event of them, becauſe they raiſe too great a diſturbance by provoking nature down ▪ wards, and many times cauſe abortiveneſſe; yet if the paine be inſupportable, then inject carminative glyſters, and omit all bitter ingredients, as Hie•a, benedicta Laxativa, or Scammoniata; but to prevent all errour, preſcribe this following.
Take a handfull of mallow leaves.
The flowers of melilot,
The tops of Dill, of each halfe a handfull.
Two drams of fennill ſeeds.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of barley water to nine pints, to the ſtrained liquor add two ounces of Syrup of••ſe•Laxative.
An ounce of red Sugar.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter. Or
Take the flowers of melilot.
And mallowes, of each a handfull.
Anniſe and Fennill ſeeds,
Of each two drams.
Boyle•them in a ſufficient quantity••broth, made with an old Cock to ni••ounces, to the inward liquor add
Calabrian Manna:
And red Roſes, of each an cunce and halfe.
167An ounce of oyle of rue.
Mingle them, and make a glyſter.
It might doe much good, if you gave her a draught of balme water in the morning, in which water you may ſ•eep lignum aloes the ſpace of a night, and afterwards put to the ſtrained liquor a ſufficient quantity of Syrup of mint; for this expells the winde ▪ cleanſeth away the phlegme, and powerfully ſtrenghthens the ſtomack.
You muſt frequently and laboriouſly rub her lower par•s, tye ligatures about them, and apply Cuppinglaſſes to them, if there be no imaginable cauſe to feare abortiveneſſe, but if there be the leaſt ſuſpicion of that, omit all ſuch applications as may procure a revulsion of the bloud, nay, let me give you this caution abſolutely to forbeare them, unleſſe ſhe be taken with deſperate trembling and fainting fits, or ſwounding, in the ſpring time too, when her ſpirits require them.
You muſt cauſe her Baſilick veine to be opened, if ſhe be young, fleſhy, and ſtrong, for this Remedy, beſides that it letteth out the thick, dreggiſh, and black blood, it refreſheth the childe alſo, and the heart is ſweetly, eaſily, and ſafely delivered from that burthenſome humour, which〈◊〉preſſe and almoſt overwhelme it.
MOſt certaine it is, that great-bellied Women, by reaſon of their being with childe, have not ſometimes a free vent for their crude and indigeſted aliments, either by Stoole, or by Urine, or by any other E•unctories of the body; theſe being unduly kept in the body putrifie, wax hot, and communicate noyſome fumes, and vapours to the ſpiritous parts, which by their clammineſſe, thickneſſe and ſharpneſſe, together with the bad quality that is in them, gripe, and twitch the Woman, and force her to cough.
Some perhaps may demand, why doth this Coughing happen in the laſt months? the anſwer is obvious; namely, becauſe in thoſe moneths a greater plenty of excrements are lodged in the body, then were accumulated at the firſt.
The cauſe of the Cough, according to Hippocrates, i•a viſcous, thick, and tough homour, imp•cted in the Pipes of the Lungs; which humour ſometimes alſo, thorough169 that conſent which is between the Matrix, and the Cheſt, invadeth that part, and raiſeth a Coughing: and theſe are theſe are ſet down as the true ſignes of this evill.
As for the Prognoſtick's, you muſt know that a Cough befalling a woman with childe is a bad Symptome: ſeeing that by the leaſt ſtretching, and ſhrinking the Cotyledons or veſſells of the wombe, are many times looſned, yea ſometimes burſt aſunder, and from thence comes abortiveneſſe.
The Cure is perfected with ſweet wine, mild beere, and the frequent uſe of a Ptiſa•▪ ſharp, ſowre, and cold things muſt be avoided; meats alſo muſt be forborne which breed a thick nouriſhment, and are hard to digeſt; vehement evacuations likewiſe are not good; wherefore having given order for the obſervation of a good Diet, preſcribe ſome gentle, lenifying medicines to provoke her to ſpit, as manna, Syrup of roſes laxative, Diacnicu, and the like.
Theſe things being adminiſtred, proceed to Electuaries, and expectorating medicines, and eſpecially to this Apozem following.
Take an ounce of cleanſed Barley.
The roots of Ariſtolochy,
Licoras ſcraped, of each two drams.
The leaves of Aſarabacca.
170Nettles,
White Maidenhaire, of each a handfull.
Two drams of raiſins pickt.
The fleſh of Dates.
Fat Figs, of each three drams.
Boyle them in a ſufficient quantity of water, to two pints, and to the ſtrained••quor, add
Two ounces of Diacodium.
Mingle them, and make an Apozem, or
You may preſcribe Lozenges after this manner.
Take a dram of the ſpecies Diatragac•n••. frigid.
Diaire••,
Poppy ſeeds, of each a ſcruple.
Two ounces and a halfe of Sugar diſſolved in roſe water, according to ar•make them into Lozenges.
Then preſcribe this Conſerve.
Take Conſerve of red Roſes,
Elecampane candied, of each an ounce.
Conſerve of Violet flowers,
Roſemary flowers, of each halfe an oun••.
Two drams of meale of beanes.
A dram of Diaireos.
Ten graines of S•lphur.
With Syrup of Colt's foot make a Conſerve.
Meale of•eanes, according to Galen, doth171 cleanſe and mundifie the Cheſt, digeſts the crude ſpittle contained in the pipes, and makes it eaſie to be excerned; beanflower water is exceeding good for the Lung•, eſpecially if ſhe drinke it with Syrupe of Maydenhaire, or Oxymel S•i••iticum; the ſame faculties hath the diſtilled waters of red Poppies.
The yolke of an egg taken in the morning with Sugar, and the oyle of ſweet Almonds is a moſt incomparable remedy, and hath done good to thouſands.
Anoynt her Breaſt with this Oyntment, which is good to prepare the crude, and thick matter which ſtops her pipes.
Taken an ounce of the oyntment of mariſh mallowes.
The axungia of a hen
Of a Duck, of each halfe an ounce.
Oyle of ſweet Almonds,
Oyle of Violets, of each ▪ two drams.
Ten graines of Saffron.
Mingle them, and according to art make an oyntment; heat it when you uſe it, and anoynt the whole region of her Cheſt therewith.
FRom the ſame cauſe, namely from abundance of phlegme, and crude humo•rs, eſpecially in the laſt moneths, proceed the ſwelling of the legs, face, and eye-browes ▪ and when I have told you that the fleſh of the whole body groweth ſoft, and that ſhe looketh white and wan in the face, I have diſcovered unto your conſideration the fignes of this diſeaſe.
Women in this condition cannot be reſtored to perfect health till ſhe be delivered: yet may we not delay our helps, leaſt a worſe evill happen unto her; for whereas the legs and feet are outward parts, and at a great diſtance from the fountaine of heat, they are quickly affected with cold, and mortified through the abundance of crude humours, which many times ſettle in them.
You may ſecurely, ſpeedily, and gently accompliſh the cure by ſtrengthning and diſſolving remedies.
173In the firſt place therefore provide a bath with chalybeated water, Saltpeter, Sulphur, Wormewood, Stechaz, Roſemary, and Camomile: in this liquor let her waſh her lips, her thighes, her legs, and her feet, and when ſhe waſheth them, let her alſo rub them ſoundly.
If her fleſh grow very ſoft and lank, ſo that you feare a mortification, apply this Poultis following, which will exceedingly comfort her.
Take two handfulls of Wormewood,
Meale of Vetches,
Meale of beanes,
Meale of barley of each an ounce and a halfe.
An ounce of Bran.
With a ſufficient quantity of oxymel, and a brine made with lemon pills, according to art make your Poultis.
If the coldneſſe of the part be ſuch, that you feare a gangreen, there is nothing will more certainly prevent it then Scarification: for by this meanes the part is ventilated, and preſerved from putrifaction.
Strengthning remedies muſt ſometimes be exhibited to expell the winde, yet you muſt adminiſter them with a good diet, conſiſting of drying, and corroborating174 things, as Treacle, Mithridate, and other drying confections and powders, Diacinna•om•m, arom•tic•m roſ•tum, Diarrhodon Abba, tis, unto which we may well adjoyne a decoction of China and Salſaparilla with a little ſtick of cinamon, and a few anniſe ſeeds.
Note that theſe remedies may properly be accommodated to the cure of the diſeaſe, called the Ʋterine Flux, which happens ſometimes to women when they are ready to lye down, by reaſon that there is an exceſſive abundance of humour in their bodies, or elſe becauſe the childe in their bellies is very large and great.
THe inner part of the humour being ſpent upon the nouriſhment of the childe in the womans belly, the dregs grow hard, and when Nature ſtriveth to caſt them out by a ſtrong and vehement indeavour, the ▪ Matrix ſuffers a compreſſion, by which ▪ compreſſion the childe is offended, the C•tyledons are looſened, and many times the woman miſcarrieth, and the child proves abortive.
175The belly muſt be ſollicited, but not with glyſters, becauſe they hurt the childe, eſpecially if it be grown to ſome bigneſſe, but with Suppoſitaries made with hogſgreaſe, and five or ſixgraines of Diagrydium; for theſe will irritate.
Her meat ſhould be of a moiſtening and mollifying quality, as mallow, and borage•eaves eaten with butter and Sugar; fat pott•ge alſo is good for her, in which, if ſhe complaine of no torments, you may boyle polypoda, ſena and pr•nes.
Manna above all other things is in preſent caſe to be preferred: and next to it we commend Syrup of roſes laxative, and Syrupe of Violets made with a frequently iterated infuſion.
Sometimes you may preſcribe this Julep.
Take the waters of borage,
Fumitary, of each eight ounces.
Three ounces of Syrup of Violets.
Mingle them, and make a Julep.
Forberare the uſe of ſharp medicines, for they worke with an unneceſſary vehemence, and not ſeldome cauſe Abortiveneſſe.
Unto this diſeaſe we adjoyne a looſenes, which hapneth, when women are of a cold conſtitution, and full of crudities, or when they have a weake belly: Sometimes176 alſo it happens by their inordinate Longings, when they wiſh for a greater variety of diſhes then they are able to concoct; for then many times what they have ſo greedily devoured paſſeth down into the guts without digeſtion, and cauſeth a looſneſſe through the weakneſſe of the retentive facultie.
We have learnt from Hippocrates to accou•t this among the dangerous diſeaſes; for in the fifth brok of his Aphoriſmes he hath theſe words: If a woman with childe be troubled with a great looſneſſe, 'tis to be feared that ſhe will miſcarry, and note well the reaſon hereof: for when ſhe is thus afflicted, the good and the bad goe away together, the childe is defrauded of its due nouriſhment, and ſo periſheth.
You muſt preſently ſtrive to ſtay the looſneſſe with binding and thickning meats, as quinces, rubarb, beer wherein ſteele hath been often infuſed; or elſe you may preſcribe this Potion following.
Take a handfull of plantane leaves.
The ſeeds of flux wort.
The ſeeds of Sumach, of each a dram.
Boyle them in a ſufficient quantity of red wine, to a pint and a halfe, to the ſtrained liquor add
177Srrupe of Comphrey.
Syrupe of Quinces, of each an ounce.
Make a Potion.
Boile, or ſteep anniſe ſeeds in her drinke•and apply the ſame fomentations, oyntments, and plaiſters, as we have already commended unto againſt Vomiting.
But if the excrements be ſlimy, putrified, and ſtinke, you muſt not neglect the uſe of Rubarb gently roſted, and of myrobalans ſlightly roſted; for theſe doe not onely purge, but they binde withall, and ſtrengthen the parts. Sometimes you may exhibit Philonium Perſicum, Requiem Nicholai, or Pill. de Cynogloſſa, but with a ſober caution; the quantity is a ſcruple, or at the moſt but two ſcruples, and that when the other things have proved unſucceſſefull, and alſo when the ſtrength of the Patient will a•low the taking of them.
ALthough we made mention of this diſeaſe in the firſt booke, where we treated178 of the immoderate flowing of the Courſes; yet we conceive it may be worth our labour, and the Readers thanks to add a few things, which in the Chapter aforeſaid, were purpoſely omitted by us.
Bloud then floweth immoderately from the Matrix, either when the lips thereof an unlockt, or when the veſſells are open, or laſtly, by tranſcolation.
The inward cauſe of theſe ſymptomes is an extreame heat, or thinneſſe in the bloud; which either eats aſunder the veſſells, or rarefies the tunicles thereof; the outward cauſes are all thoſe things which have a power to make thin, to heat, to open, to rarefie, and to ſubtilize the bloud; as immoderate cares of the minde, long watchings, a continuall uſe of hot meats, as diſhes pepperd and ſpiced: alſo drinking too much wine; yet you may exhibit a glaſſe of Claret wine in a moderate quantity, to refreſh her ſpirits, provided that no Fever be ſuſpected, and that her Matrix be not inflamed.
The ſignes of this evill are manifeſt; for the ſpirits are deficient, the heat is diminiſhed, the face groweth pale, the feet ſwell, the ſtrength decayes, the meat is forſaken and no ſleep can be obtained.
179The danger of this Flux is unknown, I ſuppoſe, to few women; for ſeeing that our naturall heat hath its chiefe, and ſole perſeverance in the bloud, the loſſe of that bloud in an immoderate quantity, muſt needs exhauſt the ſpirits, weaken the body, and at length when the naturall heat is almoſt extinguiſht, and the ſanguification is depraved, there will undoubtedly ſupervene either a Dropſey, or a Conſumption.
When you begin the Cure, keep the Patient in a darke roome, and let the ayre be cold and dry; or if naturally it be not ſo, make it ſo by art; her meat ſhould be potentially cold, thick, and binding: as the fleſh of Partridges, and ſheeps ▪ feet, or ſheeps-heads, or broths made of them; peaſe beanes, quinces, Services, and the like, are not unwholſome for her, and for her drinke, let it bee beere, or water wherein ſteele hath often been quenched.
Let her bloud immediately to divert the humour, but in what part, there is indeed a great controverſie among the Phyſitians about it; but to promote the Revulſion of the humour, if the Patient be ſtrong enough, we tye ligatures about her legs, and boldly open a vein in her arme; or if ſhe be very ſtrong, we apply Cuppinglaſſe•180with ſcarification to her ſhoulders.
When the veine is opened, give her thickning Syrups, as Syrup of poppies, Myrtles, quinces, or Syrupe of reſtharrow; Juleps alſo made with the diſtilled waters of plantane and roſes, and mixt with the Syrups aforeſaid, will be convenient for her, or you may mingle Conſerve of roſes, or Conſerve of acacia with Bolearmenick, and the Trochiſch. de Carabe, which will be an excellent mixture to thicken, and ſtay the bloud; but however forget not to preſcribe this Purge.
Take two ſcruples of Rubarb gently boyled.
Ten grains of the myrabolans called chebule. Syrup of dried roſes, or
Syrupe of ſowre Pomegranets, halfe an ounce.
Three ounces of plantane water, or a decoction of tormentill roots.
Mingle them, and make a Potion.
Procure ſome ſleepe for her with Opiates, as Athenaſia, Requies, Nichola•, Philonium Perſi•um, new Treacle, or Philonium Romanum; yea with pills de Cynogloſſa, or foure or five graines of Opium: all theſe things doe wonderfully thicken the bloud, ſtraighten the paſſages, fatten the body,181 concoct the bloud, provoke ſleep, and therefore are very proper for women thus affected. Note that the Opium reſtraines, and ſtops all ſuperfluous evacuations, ſweat excepted, which it provokes; beſides, by inviting ſleepe it refreſheth the body; for by ſleep the aliment is ſooneſt concocted, the naturall heat retiring to the inward parts, whereas when the Patient waketh, the heat is diſtributed and diffuſed all over the outward parts.
Lay this plaiſter which followes the oyntment to the reines of her back, and with the oyntment anoynt her privie parts, and the region of her Kidnies.
Take the powder of Gyprus Nuts.
The roots of Comphrey,
Biſtort, of each two drams.
Red Sanders,
Red Corall,
Bolearmenick,
Maſtick, of each a dram.
With foure ounces of Ʋnguentum Comitiſſ•make an oyntment.
After the oyntment apply this Plaiſter, as was ſaid above.
Take a pound of loom, and beat it to powder, with ten drams of gum-arabick toſted by the fire, and the whites of foure Egs,182 incorporate them, and make a plaiſter.
MOſt certaine it is, that Women with Childe by reaſon of their depraved appetites, and continuall intemperance in their diet, abound with crude and unconcocted juices, which nature not knowing how to digeſt, nor being able to expell them by her monethly Courſes, are accumulated in a large meaſure, pollute the body, and introduce a cold diſtemper, from whence that water comes, which is the intended ſubject of our preſent diſcourſe; they who live a ſedentary and an idle life, are very obnoxious to this diſeaſe; in ſuch women this wateriſh humour comes away at the Matrix, cold to the touch, ſlow in motion, ſlimy in ſubſtance, and white to the eye, and voide of all manner of ſharpneſſe; theſe women look pale, their skin is lanke or looſe, they are lazy, and loath to uſe any exerciſe, they are troubled with winde, and loud rumblings in their bellies.
183Account this a difficult Cure: eſpecially when it happens in the laſt moneths, when we dare not adminiſter convenient remedies, fearing to deſtroy, or hurt the childe; becauſe ſuch kinde of remedies diſſolv•, and exhauſt the ſpirits, and when the body is extreamely weakned, they precipitate the Patient into a Dropſey, which is ſcarce curable; or elſe ſhe miſcarries by reaſon that the retentive faculty is too much weakned by exceſſe of moyſture.
You muſt therefore indeavour the cure by a drying Diet, as Bisket made with anniſe ſeeds, and with fleſh meat rather roſted then boiled; forbid windy meats, ſalt meats, ſuch as breed a thick juice, and yield too much moiſture; almonds, cheſnuts, pine kernells, and boyled riſe are very wholſome, all hearbs and fruit, beſide quinces and medlars, are unwholſome.
For her drinke, give her binding red wine, or wine wherein ſteele hath been quenched: for this comforts the ſpirits; a decoction of china and Salſaparilla may be profitable, becauſe it dries up the deſcending moiſture, and cleanſeth the body from it, this potion following will doe her much good.
Take two drams of Cyprus nut•.
184The leaves of wormewood,
Mint,
Red roſes, of each halfe a handfull.
The ſeeds of quinces,
Services, of each two drams.
Parcht riſe,
Maſtick, of each a dram.
Halfe a dram of gum dragon.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water, wherein ſteele hath been quenched, to two pints; to the ſtrained liquor add
Syrup of dried roſes,
Syrup of the juyce of quinces, of each an ounce.
Halfe an ounce of honey of roſes.
Mingle them, and make a Potion.
Let her take three ounces of it early in the morning; it evacuates the wateriſh humour, and not onely ſtrengthens, but alſo bindes the parts, dryeth the Cotyledons, and retaineth the childe in the Matrix, that it come not into the world before its due time; after the Potion, the next day lay this Plaiſter to her privie parts.
Take two drams of Loadſtone beaten to powder.
Spikenard,
Maſtick,
Red corall, of each a dram.
185Two ounces of oyle of quinces.
Six drams of white wax.
Mingle them and make a Pla•ſter.
A gentle laxative Decoction cannot be inconvenient, and therefore we ſhall here ſet down that which hath often purchaſed ſweet eaſe to the Patient, and credit to our ſelves.
Take a handfull of plantane leaves.
A pugill of red roſes.
Foure drams of rubarb.
Two drams of agarick trochiſchated.
Maſtick,
Spikenard, of each a ſcruple.
Macerate them together in two pints of water, wherein ſteele hath been infuſed upon hot coales, the ſpace of ſix houres; afterwards ſet them upon the fire, and when they begin to bubble, preſſe out the liquor with a ſtrong hand, and add to it
Two ounces of Syrup of Fumitary.
Mingle them according to Art.
Give her every other morning faſting three ounces of this decoction; for it gently ſtrengthens the parts, diverts the wateriſh humour from the Matrix, and with much benignity evacuates it.
When the woman is almoſt ready to be in labour, a wheyiſh or wateriſh humour186 floweth leaſurely, and by degrees from the Matrix, either becauſe of ſome dilatation of the Membranes, in which the childe is enwrapped, or elſe becauſe thoſe membranes are burſt aſunder; and although it deſcend leaſurely, yet a large quantity comes from her; if this happen when ſhe is in labour, ſuſpend all helps of art, for it is a good omen that ſhe will be ſafely delivered; but if it ſhould fall out in the fifth, ſixth, ſeventh, or eigth moneth, in which there is, or may be a feare of miſcarrying, then may you properly and ſecurely adadminiſter thoſe things, which we even now preſcribed.
If you demand from whence that abundance of wateriſh humours doth come, which floweth before ſhe is in Labour? I anſwer from the Membrane, or skin called Ammion, which is faſtned to the Childe, and from the other called Chorion, in which two skins, the urine of the Childe is ſo long reſerved, till the fulneſſe of time be accompliſhed, in which it ſhould be borne; at which time ſeeking by inſtinct of nature, for a greater proportion of nouriſhment, it kicks, and teares theſe membranes, out of which when a large plenty of waters have run, it comes forth into the world.
WOmen are preſerved both from the threatnings, and alſo from the Invaſions of thoſe Diſeaſes whereunto they are ſubject by a threefold kinde of Remedies: by Diet, by Phlebotomy, and by Purging, or to ſpeake more properly, by being purged.
But the two latter are the more difficult, according to the opinion of Galen, who in this hath the concurrence of Avicens judgement alſo; you muſt know, ſaith he, that•very diſeaſe of repletion, or the malice of a complexion is not cured by his contra•y, but ſometimes by a good regiment of•ealth; wherefore if it be a ſlight diſeaſe,•t will be cured of its own accord; for•he•e is no kinde of diſeaſe ſo fierce, ſaith Galen in his book of Diet, which is not ta•ed by it; but yet a moderation muſt be obſerved; for they who are neere their•ime, and looke every day to be in labour,•ant a larger proportion of nouriſhment,188 becauſe the childe is big, and ſhould they be defrauded of this mediocrity, they would periſh by the cruelty of an acute diſeaſe; wherefore here lies all the difficulty to preſcribe a convenient and fit Diet for ſuch women; for ſhould you allow them meat and drinke ſuitable to the condition of women who are not with childe, you ſhould deſtroy the childe: and ſhould you, out of a regard to the preſervation of the childe, be more liberall and indulgent to their appetites, this condeſcenſion would eſpouſe you to another errour, for hereby you might cheriſh the cauſe of the diſeaſe; let her therefore be fed with meats that are of eaſie concoction and diſtribution, and prohibit her the uſe of thick, ſharp, ſowre, bitter, and windy meats, that are hard to digeſt.
Having preſcribed a good Diet, you muſt conſider whether it be expedient ſhe ſhould be let bloud. Valeſius ſets down the reaſons on both ſides, and for the Negative he alleadgeth an Aphoriſme in Hippocrates, running to this ſenſe; if a woman with childe be let bloud, ſhe miſcarries, and the rather, if the childe in her wombe be big; becauſe the childe is thereby defrauded of its aliment. Secondly Galen ſaith, Phyſitians189 ought not to be buſie in offering helps, or ſtrong remedies to women with childe, nor any exquiſite manner of Diet; here you muſt underſtand Phlebotomy ſay they; therefore it muſt from Galens words be concluded inexpedient. Thirdly, if any evacuation be a cauſe of abortiveneſſe, as a flux of the belly, or a looſeneſſe, as Hippocrates in another Aphoriſme affirmeth, how much more will the opening of a veine be a cauſe, by meanes whereof the aliment is taken away from the childe. Fourthly, a Fever kills the childe, by waſting the ſpirits, and drying up the bloud with the vehement heat thereof; therefore ſo alſo will phlebotomy kill the childe by exhauſting the ſpirits, and conſuming the bloud.
But all theſe reaſons to my underſtanding are of no weight ▪ no moment, no validity, ſeeing that it is moſt certaine, that the very impregnation, or being with child doth forbid phlebotomy, in reſpect of it ſelf, yet not as one of thoſe principall ſcopes which withſtand it, but of thoſe which indicate and adviſe to a ſober and due celebration of it; wherefore when a woman ſick of an acute diſeaſe muſt be let bloud, yet muſt ſhe bleed leſſe then the affect and the plenitude require, becauſe of that indication,190 which is taken from the childe in her wombe; for her gravidation, or being with childe ought to be reputed as a Symptome which waſts the ſpirits, becauſe her bringing forth the childe is a kinde of evacuation.
To the ſecond I anſwer, that Galen in that place meanes nothing elſe, but that Phyſitians ſhould counſell their Patients to avoid intemperance, becauſe women with childe admit not of the leaſt degree beyond a medioicity.
To the third I anſwer, that it is not alwayes true that abortiveneſſe followeth upon any large evacuation; and therefore it ſhould not onely have beene ſaid, but proved by the Interpreters of Hippocrates; for wee ſee that it followes not upon hunger, or emptineſſe, unleſſe it be diuturnall, nor from a looſeneſſe, unleſſe it be immoderate, nor laſtly, from phlebotomy, if a veine be opened in the arme, wherefore, that I may conclude, I conceive Hippocrates did intend only to prohibit the cutting of a veine in the ankle, but not in the arme: for I confeſſe, if a veine in the ankle be cut, the bloud is drawn in abundance to the Matrix, and ſo may ſtrangle, or choake the childe, and cauſe abortiveneſſe: the like alſo doth any191 vehement and exorbitant Purge.
Wherefore if an inflammation be preſent, we affirme that a woman with childe may be let bloud without ▪ any danger of abortion: yet with this condition, that ſhe be firſt well nouriſhed with meats of good concoction and quick diſtribution, and that a ſmall quantity onely be taken away, leaſt the ſpirits ſhould be empaired either for the preſent, or the future. Moreover I like not the cutting of the Baſilick veine, becauſe it much exhauſts the bloud, and may cheat the childe of his nouriſhment. Laſtly, I counſell you to apply ſtrengthning, and nouriſhing things to the navell before you cut the veine, as unguentum Comitiſſae, or Emplaſtrum ſtomachichum, or fomentations made of wormewood, roſes, maſtick, lignum aloes, quince ſeeds, and Claret wine: and whileſt ſhe is bleeding, let her hold cold water in her mouth, or cold beer, that if perhaps ſhe begin to faint, ſhe may ſwallow it, and preſerve her ſelfe from ſwounding.
But what ſhall be ſaid concerning Purges, which conſiſt of hot ingredients, and as Galen and Averroes contend, diſturb and hurt the childe. I anſwer, all purging medicines are not of that quality; wherefore192 we may ſafely preſcribe manna, ſena, tamarinds, rubarb, and caſſia, omitting ſuch ſimples as have any participation of vehemence; and we confidently aver, that Hippocrates muſt be underſtood in this ſenſe, where he ſaith, women with childe muſt be phyſickt or purged, if the matter be turgid, in the fourth moneth unto the ſeventh; becauſe the childe in the wombe is likened to the fruit upon a tree, which as at firſt they fall down by any ſlight motion, and afterwards ſtick faſter to the tree, but when they are full ripe fall of their own accord; ſo the childe; wherefore if you will preſcribe any phyſick, follow the directions of Hippocrates, and exhibit it between the fourth and the ſeventh moneth, becauſe then there is a firme connexion between the Membranes, and the Cotyledons.
If you deſire exactly to know theſe middle moneths? I anſwer, they are the fifth, the ſixth, and part of the ſeventh.
If you object the words of Galen, who ſaith that a child three months old is ſtrong, and able to reſiſt the injuries of phyſick. I anſwer, that he reckons the end of the third to be compleat, not till the fourth moneth be begun, concerning which argument the learned may conſult the Epiſtles of Mainendus.
PRovident Nature at all times hath not a greater care of any thing, then of the propagation of mankinde, and this although it appeare not ſo much in the ſpecies, yet it is cleare and manifeſt in the individuall, and thus ſhe hath framed women to a delight in Venereous conjunctions, that they might with greedineſſe ſuck in the mans ſeed, and194 diſpoſe and cheriſh it to Generation. So ſoone as the woman hath conceived, Nature hath an eſpeciall care to faſhion, augment, nouriſh, adorne, and perfect the childe, and at determined time to ſend it out into the world, in all reſpects compleat and abſolute.
This ſending forth of the childe is twofold; either naturall, or preternaturall; the firſt is when Nature at a time prefixed, ſends out into the Province of the world a perfect Citizen, with an exact dearticulation of all the parts, with a little paine, without any fever, or paſſions of the minde: this ſometimes comes forth before its time, with great paine to the woman in her back and belly, as in the fifth, ſeventh, or eighth moneth: or elſe it ſtayes beyond the ordinary date of time.
There are ſeverall opinions among the Phyſitians, why a childe that is borne in the eighth moneth ſhould be weake, and not healthfull, whereas a childe borne in the ſeventh moneth is held to be both ſtrong, and healthfull. Laurentius in his book de re Anatom. handles theſe things with much elegance, and thither we refer the Reader, and for our own opinion, we ſhall moſt readily declare it to be this; that I195 hold it impoſſible, that the childe ſhould be able to undergoe two afflictions, the one immediately following the other; namely, one in the ſeventh, and the other in the eighth moneth, in which it is very obnoxious to ſufferance and danger, and therefore moſt commonly periſheth in the eighth moneth, for it comes to paſſe that the childe is doubly, or conſequently afflicted; firſt with that affliction which befalls it in the wombe, and afterwards with that which happeneth in the birth; but this b••alleth not the childe, which comes forth in the ſeventh moneth, becauſe it comes into the world perfect, ſtrong, and without the labour of the ſeventh and eighth moneth.
Galen deſcribes ▪ Abortion to be an imperfect Emiſſion of the Childe, or a violent Excretion of the Childe.
The Cauſes hereof are many and various; ſome inward, ſome outward; the outward cauſe, which for the moſt part is ſubjected to the arbitrement of ſenſe, is a vehement fever, which kills the childe, eſpecially if it continue long; for it is deſtructive, both to the Mother and the Childe; the fiery heat thereof devoures the whole ſubſtance of the moiſture, waſtes the196 ſpirits, conſumes the fleſh, and ſo weakens the body, and deſtroyes the childe by exhauſting the ſpirits, and diſſipating the aliment; to this we have already adjoyned an exceſſive, or laſting looſeneſſe, becauſe as we have ſaid, it looſeneth the Cotyledons, and by the ſharpneſſe of the humours irritates the Matrix, ſhaking, agitating, and aſſaulting it, till provoked Nature excern the Childe: dancing, leaping, loud crying, long faſting, doe all preſage that the woman will miſcarry; ſo alſo are the relations of ſome unexpected events, anger, chiding, thunder, the ſudden noiſe of ſome piſtoll or musket, a fall, the denyall of ſome ardent requeſt, and an innumerable company of other ſuch things.
The inward are reduced to three Cauſes namely, to the weight or heavineſſe of the humour, whereby the ſuffocated childe is overwhelmed and periſheth; the ſecond is the great bulke of the Matrix, by reaſon whereof the childe is ſcarce held faſt, but ſlides away, and ſlips out; or the ſmall and narrow capacity of the Matrix, wherein it neither groweth to any bigneſſe, or perfection, but periſheth for want of roome; the third is a skirroſity or hard ſwelling, which is an impediment to the childe, that197 it cannot lye ſtretcht out to its full dimenſions, but endures a compreſſion, and dieth.
Galen reckons up thoſe ſignes which goe before abortion; the firſt whereof is an extenuation of the nipples, the ſecond a diminution of the milke; the third when the child is not perceived to ſtir in the belly; the fourth the ſlenderneſſe of the woman; the fifth, the looſeneſſe or lankneſſe of the whole belly; the ſixth, the depravation of the appetite: the ſeventh, which is a true ſigne that ſhe is now ready to miſcarry, is a paine in her back, in her privie parts, and torments all over her belly, with a thin humour diſtilling from her Matrix.
This is far more dangerous, then a lawfull and naturall birth, in regard of the perturbations and violence which is offered to nature.
As for the Cure, the woman having already miſcarried, that conſiſts in the point of preſervation, namely, to prevent the ſupervening of a Fever, or the Whites; this may be done by the help of thoſe things which we have noted above; ſleep muſt be•rocured; then the belly and the Matrix muſt be ſtrengthned with fomentations, lit••e bags, ſuch like adminiſtrations as are•ood to expell winde.
198To prevent obortion, and to preſerve the woman from miſcarrying, we approve (if the danger be threatned from an extreame fulneſſe of humours, the cutting of the Baſilick or the middle veine; for this counſell we have the Authority of Fernelius, who in his ſecond book de Meth. Med. ſaith, unleſſe many veines be unlockt about the mouth, in which the woman looketh, ſhe will miſcarry; for the childe is overwhelmed, and choak't with too much bloud; but if it proceed from the amplitude and large capacity of the Matrix, apply aſtringent decoctions; if from the narrowneſſe of the part, mollifying medicines will be moſt proper, yea, and ſuch as reſolve and conſume away hard ſwellings, may be convenient for this cure.
VVE call a womans Labour hard, and difficult for five conditions, or five reaſons: the firſt whereof is an Anticipation of, or as we uſe to ſay, when ſhe comes before her due time, in the fourth,199 fifth, or ſixth moneth, which becauſe it is excerned by nature before the naturall time, it is imperfect, precipitating the woman into many ſtraights and bitter pangs: the ſecond is a tranſverſall, or prepoſterous Egreſſe, as when one foot onely, or an arme appeareth, or when the breech cometh before the head, or when both the feet joyned together come out firſt, and afterwards the head; the third is, when the childe which comes forth of the wombe is miſhapen, nature having erred in the conformation; the fourth is intolerable paine, fainting, ſwounding fits, and bitter torments about the bottome of her belly, and the ſecret parts; the fifth is, an effuſion or running out of water many dayes before the birth: which being run out, the paſſages which before were ſlippery to aſſiſt the emiſſion of the childe, now remaine hard and dry, and become an impediment to the birth; this humour is of no ſmall advantage, nay, it is of admirall concernment to facifitate the birth, if we may without procuring envie to the man; beleeve Galen, who ſaith in his book de uſu partium that that humour ſerves not onely to moiſten the childe, and to make the wayes ſlippery, but it likewiſe〈◊〉200the calloſity and hardneſſe of the matrix, almoſt to an incredible dilatation; to theſe we may adjoyne the weakneſſe of the mother, and the imbecillity of the expulſive faculty, as alſo the ſtrength of the Retentive.
The ſignes of an illegitimate birth ſucceeding, are vehement, but vaine indeavours and ſtrivings, ſeeing that the childe for the reaſons aforeſaid is hindred from coming forth.
No man of underſtanding can deny, but this muſt be terrible to behold, and painefull to endure; for if the childe chance to dye, and lye dead in the Matrix ſome dayes, it is moſt certaine, that it will putrifie, infeſt the principall parts with noyſome vapours, and poyſonous exhalations, weaken their ſtrength, and bring an unavoided death upon the woman.
We have often, and with the ſaddeſt apprehenſions, beheld, how much diligence was neceſſary both to the reliefe of the Mother, and the preſervation of the childe: wherefore having provided a skilfull Midwife, you muſt lay the woman in a darke place, leaſt her minde ſhould be diſtracted with too much light; all paſſions of the minde muſt be diverted by a pleaſant, and201 cheerefull converſation, and provide ſuch meat for her as is eaſie of concoction. Let her drinke be ſmall beere, or barley water boiled with Mdidenhaire, and cinamon, unto which add a ſmall quantity of Rhe•iſh wine; for this brings down the urine, moves the Courſes, and facilitates the birth; boiled meats are moſt wholſome for her, as mutton boiled with Roſemary; chicken broth alſo is good for her, and ſo are the chickens. Binding, and ſharp things muſt be avoided; gentle, and moderate exerciſe is commendable; and afterwards the Midwife may rub her legs and her feet.
We have acquai•t•d you with the Conditions of an ill birth; and now we ſhall furniſh you with remedies to prevent, or oppoſe thoſe conditions.
When the childe goeth out in a depraved figure, the Midwife muſt gently dilate the parts with her hand, or with ſome convenient inſtrument; certaine it is that this happens very often, if a monſter be borne, in regard of the•ad conformation of the body; if a foot, or an arme, or the ſhoulders, or the bu•tocks come out firſt, then the Midwife by the activity of her hand, anoynted with oyle of ſweet•imonds, muſt thruſt back the childe, and diſpoſe it to a202 more regular egreſſe: but if this cannot be done, the childs life is in danger; and if the child periſh, it muſt either be expelled with medicines, or drawn out with an•ooked inſtrument, as we ſhall ſhew you in the chapter next following.
If vehement Symptomes ariſe from hence, all which are wont to proceed from the weakneſſe of the Mother, or elſe from clotted bloud deſtilling from the Matrix before the birth, and that you feare a greater i•quination in regard of that putrified bloud, then comfort the f•eble and deca•ed ſpirits of the woman with the Rheniſh wine and broths aforeſaid; whe•this is done, provoke the clotted bloud ▪ and f•culent humour by ſtrong ligatures, by rubbing her body with a courſe cloath, and applying Cuppinglaſſes to her leg•; and if the woman be fallen into an agony•▪ if〈◊〉be young ▪ of a good•abit, full of bloud, or of a ſanguine complexion, and if it be alſo the Spring time (if thoſe about her have ſtrong fea•es that ſhe will dye•) open a veine in her ankle; for thus Nature is disburthe•ed, and the womb which was oppreſt with the weight of the bloud feel••eaſe, and many times the woman recovers who was at deaths doore.
203To witneſſe the truth hereof, we have an authentick warrant from the writings of Hippocrates, who in his booke de morbis mulier. hath theſe words; if a woman with childe be a long time reſtrained, and cannot bring forth; if ſhe be likewiſe in the vigour of her age, and full of bloud, you muſt open a veine in her ankles, and draw away the bloud, reſpect being had to the ſtrength of her body. Note that he ſaith out of her ankles, that is, at one time from both ankles, as Cordaeus his Commentatour hath obſerved unto us; but yet in our Climates, we conceive it ſufficient to cut a veine in the left ankle onely; becauſe our opinion is, that ſomewhat muſt be left to Nature, who is ſomewhat wearied, but yet able to make a further reſiſtance.
After the phlebotomy, curb the malice of the humours with Bezoar ſtone, Tre•cle, Mithridate, Alkermes, Hy••ynth•, with Lozenges made of Manus Chriſti, Diamargariton frigidum, Aromaticum roſatum, and the like.
If great plenty of waters come away before the birth, if the Matrix and the Scabard thereof remaine dry, if the Cotyledo•s be contracted and ſtraightned, ſo that no roome is left for the egreſſe of the childe; then muſt it be your indeavour to ſoften,204 to moiſten, and make wide the paſſages, with oyle of ſweet almonds, or with a warm cloath dipped in the oyle, or elſe fill a bladder full of this oyle, and lay it upon her privities; or laſtly, you may mingle it with a decoction of onyons, garlick, rue, and birthwort.
Half Tubs are in this caſe very profitable, being made after this manner following.
Take the leaves of mallowes,
Mariſh mallowes, of each foure handfulls.
Motherwort,
Rue,
Birthwort,
Penniroyall, of each three handfulls.
Camomile,
Melilot flowers,
The tops of Dill, of each two handfulls and a halfe.
The ſeeds of Fenugreek,
Mariſh mallowes,
Line, of each an ounce and a halfe.
An ounce and a halfe of Laurell berries.
Boyle them all in thirty pints of water, put them into a tub, and let the woman fit covered in it, till all things correſpond with her expectations.
You cannot ſcandalize your judgement by an errour, if you preſent her with an205 opening, dilating, and provoking draught, as ſhe is ſeated in the Tub; the forme whereof may be this.
Take two ſcruples of the Trochiſchs of Myrrhe.
Ten graines of Borace.
Eight graines of Saffron.
Halfe an ounce of Syrup of Motherwort.
Three ounces of a decoction of madde•roots and roſemary.
Mingle them for a draught.
Many commend this oyntment following, which they apply to the privie parts.
Take unguentum de Althaea,
Ʋnguentum Reſumptivum, of each an ounce.
Oyle of white lillies,
Oyle of Dill,
Henſgreaſe, of each halfe an ounce.
Saffron,
Dittany beaten to powder, of each two drams.
With a ſufficient quanty of wax make an oyntment.
But if nature be culpable in both, namely in the weakneſſe of the Mother, and the expulſive faculty, and alſo in the ſtrength of the retentive; then againſt one you muſt adminiſter corroborating medicines, as hath already been ſaid, and to206 rectifie the other fault, you muſt adhibit looſening remedies, ſuch namely as are recited above.
GAlen in his book de uſu partium hath rekoned up three membranes, which enwrap the childe in the wombe; the firſt whereof is called Ammios, this on every ſide is ſpread over the whole childe, and receiveth the childs ſweat, that it may ſwim in it; The ſecond is named Allantoeides, or Inteſtinalis, or as others name it better, Ʋrinaculum, whoſe uſe is, to receive the urine; the third is called Chorion, our Midwives call it the Secundine, which is nothing elſe but a multitude and connexion of veſſells and membranes, thorough which as by little ſprings or rivolets, the child draweth bloud and ayre; theſe membranes are burſt when the childe begins to••ick his way out into the world, from whence that liquor diſtilleth, as we have noted above, which makes the paſſages ſlippery; after the nativity of the childe207 theſe membranes are excerned, but if they chance to be retained, they introduce moſt outragious Symptomes, and a diſeaſe of number, in the exceſſe.
The Cauſes of the retention are diverſe, for many times the Matrix is confirmed after the childe is borne; many times the immoderate paſſions of the minde make nature forget her ſelfe in his duty; ſometimes odoriferous things draw the Matrix upwards, and ſo nature is diſturbed in her purpoſes of excluſion; an unſeaſonable drinking of cold water is a very frequent cauſe of it; and ſo are groſſe meats that ſtuffe the body and thicken the bloud.
You may know by the Midwives relation, that the Secundine is retained, unto whom (if ſhe be skillfull) you ought at the command of Hippocrates yield up your beliefe, or you may conjecture it; if the woman be ſad in minde, ſubject to faint and ſwound, full of toſſing, and unquietneſſe, if ſhe feele a heavineſſe in her wombe, or a round ſubſtance, like unto a fixt and immoveable ball.
This is a moſt lamentable diſeaſe; for if he Secundine be retained for any conſidera•le time it putrifies, and communicates poi•ſonous exhalations to the principall parts,208 as the heart, the brain, the liver; from whence ariſe ſwounding fits, anxiety of minde, giddineſſe in the head, and direfull torments.
Wherefore let it be the Midwives care with all ſpeed to attempt the cure, bringing down the Secundine with her fingers beſmeared with oyle, and let her hold faſt the umbilicall veſſells, till the Secundine follow; but what if it remaine behinde? then according to the Oracle of Hippocrates delivered in the fortieth Aphoriſme of his fifth book; you may exhibit ſneezing medicines to the noſtrills; for theſe by that motion compreſſe the upper parts, and the expulſive faculty being irritated, out comes the Secundine.
Take black pepper,
Muſtard ſeed,
Sagapenum of each a dram and a halfe.
Tobacco,
Caſtor,
White hellebore, of each a dram.
A ſcruple of Euphorbium.
Make a fine powder of them, and upon the point of a knife, or thorow a quill let her ſniffe up a little of it at a time; or you may preſcribe this Potion for two Doſes; it hath often done the Cure.
209Take eight ounces of penniroyall water.
An ounce and a halfe of aqua Hyſterica.
Two ſcruples of Caſtor in powder.
Mingle them for a Potion, to be taken at twice, or
Take two ſcruples of the Trochiſchs de Carabre.
A ſcruple of Borace.
Halfe an ounce of the Syrup of juice of betony.
Three ounces of a decoction of Savine.
Mingle them for a Draught.
Suffumigations are alſo very profitable to bring away the Secundine.
Take Storax,
Benjamin,
Lign. aloes, of each two ounces.
Musk,
Civet, of each a ſcruple.
Make a peſſarie of them, adding Ʋnguentum Agrippe and the juice of Mercuty. Liniments muſt not be omitted, made with unguentum de Althaea, de Agrippa, oyle of Almonds, and oyle of Dill; fomentations and halfe tubs are equally neceſſary, made of a decoction of camomile, pellitory of the wall, Motherwort, Birthwort, Origanum, Sage Savine, anniſe, fennill, and Line ſeeds, unto all which may be added oyle of Almonds,210 and oyle of Dill; Glyſters muſt alſo be injected, and with good ſucceſſe you may continually rub her hips and her thighes, tye ligatures about her legs, apply Cuppinglaſſes, and cut a veine in her ankle.
When the Secundine is ejected or drawn out, give the woman Cordialls, as Bezoar ſtone, Treacle, Confect. de hyacintha, or Alkermes: all which things are of undoubted vertue to reſtraine the malignity of the vapours; ſometimes a Mole remaineth in the Matrix after the birth, which by reaſon of the congealed bloud, and the fleſhie ſubſtance, whereof it is compounded, is as difficult to cure, as the recention of the Secundine: wherefore you muſt indeavour to expell that by the help of thoſe remedies, which we have preſcribed above in the chapter of a Mola, and here alſo a little above.
Note the difference betweene the Secundine and a Mole: this is fixt and unmoveable, but that is moveable from one place to another in a Mole, or when a woman is troubled with that halfe conception, ſo called, a black and clotted bloud drops from the Matrix, which upon the retention of the Secundine appeares not.
CErtaine it is, that the Childe dyes in the Mothers wombe for many cauſes; the firſt of theſe is an inward cauſe, as a defect of aliment, or the corruption of it; the ſecond is a moſt vehement burning Fever, which by the exceſſive heat thereof waſtes the ſpirits, and deſtroyes the naturall heat; The third cauſe is an unſeaſonable evacuation of bloud at the noſe, the mouth, the Matrix, or by phlebotomy; The fourth is an exuperance, or an immoderate predominancy of humours in the body; The fifth is a great quantity of moyſture looſening the veſſells; The ſixth is ſome vehement medicine. The firſt outward cauſe is ſome blow; the ſecond a Cough: the third vociferations, or loud and clamorous yawlings: the fourth ſneezing; the fifth, ſad tydings; the ſixth, ſome horrible and dreadfull ſights.
The Childe may be known to be dead by a coldneſſe about the Mothers navell, and by a kinde of ſixt and immoveable weight212 in her belly: by a bad taſte in her mouth, and by her ſtinking breath.
Uſe your utmoſt activity and cunning, to bring away the dead childe, both by inward adminiſtrations, and by outward applications, inwardly let her take this Potion.
Take a a dram of the Trochiſhs of myrrhe.
Caſtor,
Storax,
Borace, of each ten graines.
Foure ounces of a decoction of Savine.
Mingle them for a draught, or
Take the powder of aſſa faetida.
Trochiſhs of myrrhe, of each a ſcruple.
Troch. Alhandal.
Borace of each ten graines.
Nutmog,
Saffron, of each five graines.
Two ounces of a decoction of Savine,
Two ounces of muſcadine,
Mingle them for a Draught, or
Take the powder of Euphorbium,
Dittany of Creet, of each a ſcruple.
Ten graines of borace.
Five graines of Cantharides prepared.
Three ounces of a decoction of Savine.
Mingle them for a Draught.
Glyſtars and Suppoſitaries are of great concernment,213 and thus make you them.
Take a dram of reſt-harrow roots.
The leaves of Savine,
Pennyroyall,
Birthwort,
Motherwort, of each a handfull.
Origanum,
Sage,
Dittany of Creet, of each halfe a handfull.
Fennill ſeeds,
Nettle ſeeds,
The pulp of Coloquintida, of each two drams.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water to nine ounces, to the ſtrained liquor add
Two ounces of benedict a laxativa.
Halfe an ounce of hiera picra.
Mingle them, and make a Glyſter, or
Take Troch. Allhandall.
Scammony, of each a ſcruple.
A dram of common ſalt.
With a ſufficient quantity of white honey boiled according to Art, make your Suppoſitory.
Outwardly you may apply oyntments made of oyle of Caſtor, oyle of Foxes, oyle of Euphorbium, with unguentum Agrippe, un•o which may be added a little coloquintida,214 powder of dittany, ſcammony, the gall of an One.
Take two ounces of Ʋnguentum Agripp•.
Oyle of Caſtor,
Foxes,
Euphorbium, of each halfe an ounce.
The pulp of coloquintida,
Dittany of Creet,
Scammony, of each two drams.
The gall of an Oxe,
Euphorbium, of each a dram.
Mingle them, and make an oyntment.
Suffumigations may be prepared by this forme following.
Take halfe an ounce of live Sulphur.
Opoponax,
Galbanum,
Aſſa faetida, of each two drams.
The powder of rue,
Savine, of each a dram and a halfe.
The gall of an Oxe,
The juice of an onyon, of each a ſufficient quantity.
Make them into Trochiſchs for your uſe.
Peſſaries muſt not be forgotten; therefore
Take three drams of Hiera piera in the ſpecies.
A dram and a halfe of myrrhe,
A ſufficient quantity of unguentum Agripp•.
With a piece of cotton according to Art, make a Peſſary. Or
215Take Ammoniack,
Aſſa faetida,
Black hellebore, of each two drams.
Troch. Alhandall,
Scammony, of each a dram.
The juice of rue,
Soldanella,
The gall of an Oxe, of each halfe a dram.
Two dram•of Turpentine.
With wooll and cotton (according to Art) make a long Peſſary.
If theſe things will not bring away the childe, and if the Mother be ſadly fallen into an agony, the ſafeſt method will be, to draw out the childe with inſtruments, if no contraindications appeare, as a bad pulſe, and a difficulty of breathing, with anxiety and unchearfulneſſe of diſpoſition in the woman.
WOmen in labour muſt be gently handled, and carefully lookt unto, both in reſpect of the roome where ſhe is216 laid, and alſo in regard of the Diet which is moſt proper for her in that condition.
As for the place, it muſt be darke, far and free from noiſe, or any other diſturbance that way; leaſt ſhe ſhould be offended by any accidents of feare, or ſadneſſe, or by any ſudden ſurprizalls of anger or griefe.
The Diet conſiſts in meats of good juice, and eaſie concoction, and ſuch as are not ſlow in their diſtribution to the ſeverall parts, becauſe they thicken the bloud, and obſtruct the paſſages.
Let her drinke be ſmall beer, cleare, and well ſetled from dregs. Barley water in which birthwort and borage leaves have been boiled, is incomparably the beſt drinke you can device for her: and next to it we prefer Rheniſh wine, conditionally, that the preſence of a Fever doth not forbid it.
The whole hope of preſerving the Woman, yea, of curing the Diſeaſes which happen after the birth, is placed in the evacuation of the feculent menſtruous bloud, and therefore 'tis the duty of our skill to provoke, and urge down that bloud, leaſt that evill be fall her, which Phyſitians call Torment.
This is a paine in the whole lower region of the belly, felt upon the privie parts,217 neere the ſmall guts; the inward cauſe thereof is a multitude of thick menſtruous bloud retained in the body.
The outward cauſe, is the inclemency of the outward ayre, in regard of the coldneſſe, and the paſſions of the minde: thick meats, as creame, cuſtards, and the like, coarſe bread, ſalt fleſh, hard fiſh, and many other things which are hard to digeſt, and not kindely diſtributed to all the regions of the body.
You may moſt eaſily diſcover this affect by the ſignes; for the Courſes are retained, at leaſt they come downe not ſo freely, nor in ſuch plenty as at other times they were wont; a wandring and unquiet paine is perceived beneath the navell, with gurgulations and rumbling in the guts; the woman breaks winde, both upwards, and downwards; and this winde is bread of a thick and feculent bloud.
This affect muſt not be deſpiſed by neglect; for the matter making way by degrees to the affected part, augmenteth the paine, yea, and introduceth inflammations with a Fever; wherefore, when you have duely conſidered the age of the woman, the Climate in which ſhe liveth, the time of the yeare, and the menſtruum, you muſt without218 delay open a veine in the ankle, and not once onely, but twice or thrice, as it ſhall ſeeme expedient; for by this adminiſtration the thick and feculent bloud is drawn out; rub her legs, till by her complaints you know ſhe feeles paine, and apply Cuppinglaſſes to the inward part; neither may you forget to lay Leeches to the Fundament, by reaſon of its neerneſſe to the Matrix and the ſpleen.
A Purge be it ſtrong, or be it gentle, muſt be exhibited the firſt dayes, becauſe the belly is not ſufficiently open, and inclined to evacuate the menſtruum; for ſhould you afterwards purge her body, it would take off Nature, and interrupt her in her duty, as Avicen ſheweth in his fourth Fen. and and firſt chapter.
Therefore let the bloud be made fluid, and the paſſages kept open: and then mitigate the paines with mollifying fomentations mixt with Anodynalls.
Take the Caul of a weather newly killed, and clap it upon the part; for by the actuall and aſſwaging heat thereof, it takes away the paine: and the ſame vertue hath the bladder of an Oxe, if it be filled halfe full of this decoction following.
Take the leaves of mallowes,
219Vialets,
Pellitory of the wall,
Pennyroyall, of each a handfull and a half.
The flowers of Camomile,
The flowers of melilot, of each a handfull.
Line feeds,
Fennill ſeeds, of each halfe an ounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of water to three pints, unto which add
Three ounces of oyle of ſweet almonds.
Oyle of Dill,
Oyle of poppies, of each an ounce and a halfe; uſe it as was ſaid above.
Anoynt her belly with this oyntment following.
Take unguentum de Alth•a,
Ʋnguentum Agrippe, of each an ounce.
Oyle of Lillies,
Oyle of camomile, of each two drams.
A dram of Opium diſſolved in burnt•ine.
Mingle them for a Liniment.
Between the ſuppreſſion of the Courſes, and the ſtaying of the menſtruum, after a womans delivery, there is little or no difference; for there is one cauſe of both, and that accompanied with the ſame ſignes, and there•ore we ſhall not diverſifie the Cure, but direct the Reader to the ſecond chapter220 of our firſt book, where ſhe may furniſh her ſelfe with convenient remedies.
VVE have ſufficiently handled the Cauſes of the immoderate flowing of the Courſes in our firſt book; we have alſo related unto the ſignes; wherefore now we ſhall tell you further from an Aphoriſm in Hippocrates, that if Fainting and Convulſion fits befall a woman in Childbed, 'tis a bad ſigne, becauſe they argue a great weakneſſe, after which follow inexpreſſible tortures, with paine in the Hypochondriacall parts, by reaſon of the clotted bloud, a ſmall, frequent, and ſwift pulſe, yea, and death it ſelfe; ſometimes the woman is ſurprized with dotage, a quinſey, or a Lethargie; wherefore you muſt labour to ſtop the Courſes with all your beſt premeditation, and caution: and the moſt expedite meanes you can uſe, are a thickning, bindiug, and cold diet, as broth made with trotters, in which you may alſo221 boile riſe, quinces, or peaſe: but abſtaine from wine; for it opens the parts, thins the humours, and provokes the Courſes, as on the contrary cold things, bind, thicken, and ſtop up.
Rub her hands, and tie Ligatures about her upper parts: and according to the injunction of Hippocrates, in his Aphoriſmes, lay Cuppinglaſſes to her Breaſts.
Finally, if the womans ſtrength will bear it, there is not a ſurer remedie then letting bloud; and you muſt open the Baſilick vein twice, or thrice.
Thickning things are very neceſſary, and of great moment in this cure.
Take true bolearmenick,
The ſpecies Diatragacanth. frig. 1. of each a ſcruple.
Halfe an ounce of Syrupe of Quinces.
Halfe an ounce of plantane water.
Mingle them for a Draught, or
Take terra ſigillata,
Red corall prepared,
Troch. de carabe, of each a ſcruple.
Halfe an ounce of Syrup of pomegranets.
Three ounces of a decoction of red roſe leaves.
Mingle them for a Draught, or
Take the leaves of plantane,
222Knotgraſſe, of each a handfull.
Red roſes,
Pomegranet flowers, of each half a handfull.
Myrtle ſeeds,
Sumach ſeeds, of each two drams.
A dram of the juice of hypocyſtis.
Boile them to ſix pints in a ſufficient quantity of water, wherein ſteele hath been quenched, give the ſtrained liquor for a fomentation, or
Take the powder of Cyprus nuts.
The roots of Tormentill,
Dragons bloud, of each a dram and a half.
A dram of maſtick,
Halfe a dram of right bolearmenick.
Two ounces of unguentum Comitiſſae,
Oyle of maſtick,
Oyle of myrtles, of each two drams.
With a ſufficient quantity of wax make an oyntment.
If theſe get not the victory; a ſcruple of the maſſe of pills de Cynogloſſa.
Make five pills, and guild them, or
Take halfe a dram of new Treacle.
Halfe a ſcruple of Requies Nicholai.
Two drams of Syrup of poppy.
Three ounces of plantane water.
Mingle them for a Draught.
223If any fault in the Liver, as ſometimes it hapneth, is the cauſe of this evill; apply cooling Epithems unto it, or inſtead thereof you may adhibit Ceratum Santalinum mixt with the powders of Corall, Roſes, and Camphire.
VVe are taught by Hippocrates, that thoſe Diſeaſes which happen after the Birth, are more dangerous and venomous then the reſt, becauſe they are produced by agroſſe, impure, thick, and feculent bloud; for the Childe in the wombe ſucketh away the ſweeteſt part of the bloud for its own nouriſhment, which it purifies, and reſerves, the melaneholy, and thicker portion thereof being ſeparated, and forſaken, which if the providence of Nature doe not duly evacuate, and purge away, the woman in Childebed will without all doubt be invaded by ſtrong and vehement Fevers, by reaſon of the boyling and putrifying of the bloud in the veines of the Matrix, which, according224 to Galen, are very large; in the firſt place therefore, let the Patient be carefully attended, and begin the Cure by opening a veine, by Cuppinglaſſes applyed to the calfes of her legs, with Scarification, and laying Leeches to the Hemorrhoids.
But the Controverſie will be what vein muſt be cut; for if ſhe bleed from the arme, you draw the bloud upwards; if from the ancle, you weaken the body, and contribute no eaſe; but if you will follow my direction, tie ſtrong Ligatures about her thighes and legs, having firſt well rubbed them, and then open the Cubit veine without any diſcouragement; for this cleanſeth the very Minerall, ſinke, and puddle of the putrified Humours. Galen indeed affirmeth, that if a veine be opened in any part of the body, it will exhauſt and emptie all the Veſſells; but not equally, and in all reſpects alike: for we deliver it for an undoubted truth, that the whole maſſe of bloud will ſooneſt flow away, if the Baſilick veine be opened, which is greater then any of the reſt; and of the ſame Judgement is Fernelius, who ſaith; if the menſtruum flow away from women in Childe-bed, thorough the vehemence225 of a Fever, you muſt cut the Cubit veine.
At the beginning you muſt refraine the uſe of purging medicines; for although you ſhould make choice of ſuch as are moſt gentle in their operation, yet they ſtir the humours, and doe not expell them from convenient places. Againe, ſhould you preſcribe ſtrong purges, they would draw back the menſtruum from the Matrix to the ſtomack, and diſturb Nature, when ſhe is labouring to expell it; and that this were no rationall, and well-grounded meanes of Cure, but rather a raſh and prepoſterous adventure, any ſober judgement will acknowledge, becauſe the expedition, the Art, and the Myſtery of the whole Cure conſiſteth in the provocation of the Menſtruum.
If it be a violent burning Fever, preſcribe ſuch things as will qualifie and temper the heat of the bloud; but avoide cold Simples, becauſe they keep in the menſtruum by binding up the parts; neither may you be too bold with hot things, for they inflame the bloud.
Theſe Glyſters following will be of excellent uſe for the purpoſe aforeſaid.
Take nine ounces of ſome ſoftning Decoction.
226An ounce and a halfe of the Electuary called Diacatholicon.
An ounce of hony of roſes.
Butter, and oyle of ſweet Almonds, of each halfe an ounce.
A dram of ſalt, mingle them, and make a Glyſter, or
Take nine ounces of mutton broth well boiled.
The leaves of Motherwort, Violets, and Pellitory of the wall, of each a handfull.
Pellitory of the wall, of each a handfull.
Two ounces of honey of roſes.
The yolkes of two eggs.
An ounce of oyle of Violets, mingle them, and make a Glyſter.
You may make a Ptiſan of Raiſins, Barley, and Licoriſh, which will be very profitable for the ſick; and of no leſſe efficaci•is this Julep following.
Take Endive and Borage water, of each ſix ounces.
Syrup of Betony, and Pomegranets, of each an ounce.
Mingle them together for a Jule•, or
Take twenty graines of Mithridate.
Ten graines of Alkermes without Musk, or Amber.
Three ounces of Buglos water,
227Mingle them, and let her drinke it at one draught.
If the Diſeaſe yield not to theſe remedies, wee judge it expedient to let her bloud againe, but in the Ankle; if you ſuſpect that Obſtructions occaſion the diſ•aſe, as commonly indeed they are to be ſuſpected, you may obſerve the ſame way of Cure, as is approved in a Fever, ariſing from Obſtructions, and
Take halfe an ounce of parſley roots.
The leaves of betony, and carduus Benedictus, of each a handfull.
Halfe a handfull of white Maidenhaire.
The flowers of B•rage, Buglos, Violets, or Roſes, of each as many as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers at twice.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of Barley water, to a pint and a halfe; in the ſtrained liquor infuſe foure drams of the choiceſt Rubarb, the ſpace of a night ſetting the veſſell upon hot aſhes, with foure ſcruples of agarick Trochiſcated, and a ſcruple of cinamon, all put in together.
In the morning boile them a little, and when you have ſtrongly preſt out the liquor, add three ounces of Syrup of roſes laxative, and make an Apozem, or a Decoction.
228Let her drinke three ounces of this Decoction every other morning.
Hereupon enſueth a Lask, or Looſeneſſe in the belly, but without any paine, acrimony, or griping: and ſo long as it continueth free from any of thoſe bad qualities, you may by no meanes ſtay it; but if it laſt longer with the Fever, the moſt prudent courſe will be to open a veine in her Ankle, having alwayes a diligent regard to the ſtrength of her body: for this evacuation is Symptomaticall (as Phyſitians ſpeake) and according to the Prognoſtications of Galen, it is either mortall, or very difficult to be judged: his words are theſe; when any diſeaſe beginneth, if any thing be evacuated, it is not evacuated by any help or curteſie of Nature; but all ſuch things happen by chance in regard of thoſe diſpoſitions, which are in the body beſides nature; for it is impoſſible that any thing ſhould be well purged out when Nature is oppreſſed (as then ſhe is with the crudeneſſe of the humours) with thoſe cauſes which did produce the diſeaſe; for that the Criſis and Judgement upon this diſeaſe may be ſound and good, it is requiſite that thoſe crudities muſt firſt be concocted, and afterwards duly229 purged out; wherefore if the Looſeneſſe happen at the beginning, you muſt neglect that, and be intentive to cure the Fever, yet with an eye to the looſeneſſe by letting her bloud; but very ſparingly, leaſt the ſpirits ſhould be waſted; if the looſeneſſe continue ſo long, as to weaken the body, and bring the ſick creature very low, then ſtay it, but with caution, and tender warineſſe; but above all things, avoid the uſe of ſuch things, as will thicken the humours, for thus indeed you might ſtop the Looſeneſſe, but then withall you ſhould ſtay the menſtruum, which inconvenience you ought chiefly to feare.
Your ſafeſt way therefore will be to apply ſtrengthning Fomentations and Plaiſters, that will moderately binde; and with ſuch you may furniſh your ſelves above.
It would not be unprofitable to purge away the cauſe of the Looſeneſſe, that ſo one Flux might be cured by another, therefore
Take halfe a dram of toſted Rubarb.
Ten graines of that ſort of Myrobala••called Chebule.
Halfe an ounce of Syrupe of dried roſes.
Three ounces of plantane water.
Mingle them, and make a Potion.
230Many times this Looſeneſſe turnes to the Bloudy-Flux, with cruell paines, want of ſleep, a continuall Fever, and frequent going to ſtoole.
This muſt be helped with Glyſters of a binding, qualifying, and cleanſing faculty, as for example.
Take the roots of Comphrey, and marſhmallowes of each three drams.
A handfull of plantane leaves.
Halfe a handfull of red roſes.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of barley water to nine ounces; and to the ſtrained liquor put in
Two ounces of honey of roſes ſtrained,
An ounce of red Sugar.
The yolke of an egg.
Mingle them, and make a Glyſter. Or
Take violet leaves, plantane, and pellitory, of the wall, of each a handfull.
Halfe a handfull of red roſes.
Halfe an ounce of whole barley.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of broth made with ſheeps feet, to nine ounces; to the ſtrained liquor add
Two ounces of honey of roſes ſtrained.
The yolke of an egg.
Mingle them, and make a Glyſter.
You muſt not neglect to open the Baſilick231 veine, and the Salvatella; a veine which brancheth out of the•ephalick veine, on the outſide of the elbow, for theſe adminiſtrations will be wonderfully helpfull to cure a flux of bloud, ariſing from a diſtemper in the Liver; thoſe aſtringent fomentations alſo, with the oyntments, and Epithems, whereof we have ſpoken at large in the precedent chapters, will be of ſingular uſe.
The next Diſeaſe, unto which women are ſubject after their delivery, is a Lientery, ſo called, becauſe the meat paſſeth thorough the body, as it was chewed in the mouth, without any change or alteration; this is a moſt dangerous diſeaſe, and therefore all diligence imaginable muſt conſpire to ſtop it: no leſſe terrible, and perillous is that other, named by the Doctors Iliaca Paſſio, when the guts are ſo bound up, or inflamed, or enwrapped one about another, that whatſoever is ſwallowed down, is preſently caſt up againe by vomit, this alſo requires a ſeaſonable and prudent uſe of remedies, leaſt the Patient ſhould pine away, and periſh for want of ſuſtenance: beſides, it is ſo much the more dangerous, becauſe by thoſe frequent Vomitings Nature is interrupted,232 and diſtracted, and that menſtruous matter is driven upwards, which ſhould have been purged out from beneath.
But note that theſe Vomitings proceed from ſeverall cauſes. Firſt from a certaine contagious vapour, aſcending from the Matrix, and with the noyſome odour thereof, irritating and pricking the ſtomack, ſo that it ſuddenly parts with all the aliment that was contained in it.
You muſt be exceeding induſtrious with all convenient ſpeed, to free the woman from this infirmity; the vapours muſt be oppoſed, and forced downwards, that ſo by the diſcreet helps of art, Nature may be aſſiſted to expell thoſe faulty, and offenſive humours by the Matrix.
This may be accompliſh't by tying Ligatures about the lower parts, and by rubbing of them till ſhe complaines you hurt her, by putting Peſſaries up into the Matrix, and applying Cuppinglaſſes to her thighes, alſo by holding things of a ſtrong, and unpleaſ•nt odour to her noſe, and by opening a vein in her Ankle.
When her body is duely nouriſhed, and well refreſh't, give her this Glyſter.
Take the leaves of violets, pellitory of the wall, and beares-breech, of each a handfull
233Halfe a handfull of red roſe leaves.
Two drams of fennill ſeeds.
Boile them to nine ounces in a ſufficient quantity of a decoction of an old hen, and to the ſtrained liquor add
Two ounces of honey of roſes ſtrained.
An ounce of new butter.
Make a Glyſter.
This being given; you muſt ſtrengthen the ſtomack with the ſtomachicall Plaiſter already preſcribed, and with theſe Lozenges.
Take a dram of aromaticum roſatum in the ſpecies.
Red corall and pearl prepared, of each half a dram.
With two ounces and a halfe of white Sugar diſſolved in a ſufficient quantity of roſe water, make little Lozenges according to Art, or
Take old Conſerve of red roſes.
Roman wormewood.
The Conſerve of Quinces, of each an ounce.
Halfe an ounce of the Conſerve of Acacia.
A dram and a halfe of aromaticum roſatum in the ſpecies.
A dram of the Trochichs de carabe.
Two ſcruples of red corall prepared.
234With a ſufficient quantity of Syrup of Pomegranets make a mixture.
Sometimes the Vomiting is accompanied with yexing, and they both proceed from the ſame cauſes, and therefore may both be cured with the ſame remedies: but if it be of long continuance, the moſt rationall and beſt grounded proceeding, is to apply a Cuppinglaſſe to the mouth of the ſtomack with a mighty flame.
After all theſe follow two more, namely ſpitting of Bloud, and a Cough: the former whereof is cured by cutting a veine in the Ankle; which kinde of remedy is approved by Hippocrates, in the thirty two Aphoriſme of his fifth book, ſaying, a woman is freed from ſpitting or vomiting bloud, if the menſtruum breake forth, and frequent experience juſtifies this truth; for divers women, by the omiſſion hereof, as Galen hath obſerved in his booke of Letting Bloud, fell into the Tiſſick, and other moſt lamentable diſeaſes.
But the Cough is twofold, either dry, or moiſt; the cauſe of the former is a certaine, contagious vapour communicated to the ſpiritous parts, provoking the Midriffe, the Lungs, and the other inſtruments of breathing, to expell whatſoever is faultie,235 and offenſive; the cauſe of the latter is a crude, and raw humour, aſcending up from the Matrix to the Cheſt, and ſticking faſt unto it.
This is cured by rubbing the parts, and tying ſtraight Ligatures about them, by Peſſaries, Glyſters, Cuppinglaſſes, opening a veine in her ankle, by Electuaries, Ptiſans, expectorating Potions to cleanſe away the bad humour, by laying on Empl•ſtrum Reſumptivum Pectorale, or Ʋnguentum de Althaea, among which you muſt mingle Cummin ſeeds and Saffron.
After the ſame manner Women in Childbed are troubled to fetch their breath, becauſe by a mutuall, and frequent ſtretching, and compreſſion of the Cheſt the vapours are tranſmitted to the Lungs, and they who feele themſelves moleſted with ſuch vapours do ſeldome eſcape that Cough we laſt mentioned.
Moreover to this Catalogue belongeth the Pleuriſie, which is a moſt acute, and therefore a moſt dangerous diſeaſe; this you may diſcerne by theſe ſignes following, an acute and burning Fever, a Cough, difficultie to fetch breath, a pricking paine, and a hard pulſe.
Open a veine, and you overcome this236 without any further remedy; but the queſtion will be, in what part of the body? I anſwer, if it be a moſt violent Pleuriſie, that torments the ſick, if her Courſes come down after a right manner, and yet the evill abates not, then cut a veine in her ankle; but if this availe not, ſo as the Patients life is now in danger, then open a veine in her arme, eſpecially, if ſhe be full of bloud, that the vitious humour may be drawn away from the inflamed place, and ſeaſonably evacuated; this advice of mine is juſtified by the approbation of Mercurialis Mercatus, Alphonſus a Caſtro, Meſchius, Valeriola, and the leared Zacutus Luſitanus; neither will it be incovenient; if you interchange this adminiſtration of phlebotomy, namely, firſt to draw bloud from the ankle, then from the arme, then from the ankle againe, and ſo keeping turnes, as need ſhall require; for thus you will give eaſe, both to the part inflamed, and likewiſe to the Matrix, which is the part mandant, or that from whence the evill is communicated and diſtributed to the other regions.
This being carefully performed, your next deſigne muſt be to mitigate, and take away the paine with fomentations, liniments Electuaries, and Ptiſans.
237Take an ounce of the roots of mariſh mallowes.
The leaves of mallowes, mariſh mallows, and white Maidenhaire, of each a handfull.
Halfe a hundfull of the flowers of dwarfelder.
Anniſe and Line ſeeds, of each halfe an ounce.
Boyle them in water to a quart, and give her the ſtrained liquor to drinke at ſeverall times, then
Take a dram of unguentum de Althaea.
The Axungia of a hen, and new butter, of each halfe an ounce.
Two ounces of oyle of ſweet Almonds.
Mingle them, and make an oyntment, then
Take Syrup of Violets compound, and Syrup of Maidenhaire, of each an ounce and a halfe.
Mingle them, and make a mixture to be licked from the point of a knife.
Afterwards.
Take two ounces of cleanſed barley.
An ounce of raiſins pickt, ſtoned and waſht.
Two drams of the beſt Licoras.
Boile them in raine water to a quart, and238 give her the ſtrained liquor to drinke.
Note that in all diſeaſes of the Membranes, the upper part of the throate, and the Jawes, yea, and in the Falling-Sickneſſe, the Apoplexy, the Palſie, and the Convulſions, you muſt begin the Cure by letting bloud, if plentie of bloud give occaſion to the Diſeaſe.
The ſwelling of the feet is the laſt of all thoſe Symptomes, which invade a woman after her Delivery; and this proceeds from a diſorderly, and negligent Diet, during the time of her being with Childe; for by that meanes raw humours are bread in her body, which after her Delivery ſettle in her legs; as being cold parts, full of nerves, and far diſtant from the Liver, which is the fountaine of bloud, in which places you ſhall perceive ſoft kinde of ſwellings, which being cruſht down, retaine the print of your fingers.
This muſt be cured with ſtrengthning adminiſtrations, and ſuch medicines as are good to expell the raw humours, and likewiſe with ſuch as will moderately binde; for ſhould you give her ſtrong binders, you would thereby allure the humours towards the upper parts; therefore to avoide that errour, prepare this Bath following.
239Take two ounces of mariſh mallow roots.
The leaves of mallowes,
Mint,
Wormewood,
Sage,
Roſemary, of each two handfulls.
The leaves of red roſes and camomile,
Of each a handfull.
An ounce of Laurell Berries.
Saltpeter,
Sulphur, of each half an ounce.
Boile them to eight pints in a ſufficient quantity of water, wherein ſteele hath been often quenched, and let her put her feet into the ſtrained liquor.
Then take the dreggiſh ſubſtance which remaines, after the ſtraining of the ſaid liquor, and add to it
The meale of Orobus,
And Lupines, of each three ounces.
Foure ounces of Oxymel.
With a ſufficient quantity of brine, made with the juice of Lemmons, reduce them into the forme of a Poultis, and lay it to the ſwelled feet.
But if the humour fall down againe into the legs, by reaſon of an habituall diſtemper in the upper parts, you muſt either make an iſſue upon the knee, or elſe provoke240 her to ſweat, with a decoction of Salſaparilla, and China roots; for by the vertue of theſe Simples the humour is made thin, and more apt for expulſion, and the lower parts wax more firme and ſtrong.
THe Cauſe of an Inflammation in the Matrix is a hot and boiling bloud retained in the veſſells, and putrifying.
The ſignes are a paine in her ſecret Parts, a vehement Fever, much heat, ſwelling, and a great itching about all the parts of the Matrix; hereupon the woman becomes very prone to fainting fits, to lye as if ſhe were ſtupified, to talke idely, and the like, by reaſon of the conſent between the Matrix, and the other parts, as we have already ſhewed. Laſtly, ſhe can neither goe to ſtoole, nor make water, without great difficulty, becauſe the parts are ſo exceedingly ſwelled.
This is a moſt terrible diſeaſe, as well in241 regard of the Symptomes, as of the Impoſthume, which, if it be broken, leaves behinde it an incurable Ʋlcer, from whence filthy and noyſome exhalations are communicated to the principall parts, which is an unerring ſigne of Death.
The Cure is Univerſall, and Particular: the univerſall is the opening of a veine in the ankle, regard being had onely to the part inflamed, and the motion of nature; but afterwards, we deny not, but it may be expedient, and efficacious to draw bloud from the arme, in reſpect of the Fever.
The Particular is accompliſht by lenifying medicines, and by waſhing the part, the one is done by a Cataplaſm made after this manner.
Take two ounces of the crums of white Bread.
The Pap of roſted apples.
The Pulp of caſſia newly drawn out, of each an ounce.
Half an ounce of the mucilage of Fleabaneſeeds.
Ten graines of Saffron.
Make a Cataplaſme according to Art.
But if the Inflammation ſeeme to haſten to ſuppuration, which you may perceive by the Fever, and the vehemence of the paine,242 then you muſt diſcreetly aſſiſt Nature, by an application of ſuppurating medicines, but by no meanes adventure to give her a purge: remedies of the former ſort are as follow.
Take an ounce of mariſh mallow roots.
The leaves of mallowes.
And mariſh mallowes, of each a handfull and a halfe.
Line ſeed,
Fenugreek, of each halfe an ounce.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of breaſt-milke unto ſoftneſſe; pulp them thorough a Sieve, and add to the pulp
Two ounces of Hogſ-greaſe.
An ounce of oyle of roſes.
Make your Cataplaſm.
When you have overcome the Impoſthume, uſe this Injection with a Syringe.
Take ſix ounces of a decoction made with wole barley, and roſe leaves.
An ounce and a halfe of honey of roſes ſtrained.
Make an Injection, and waſh the ulcerated part very often every day, till the paine ceaſe, and the Ʋlcer be healed, though ſhe continue the uſe thereof for weeks, months, and yeares.
WAnt of milk ariſeth from theſe three ſeverall Cauſes. Firſt, from the fault of the milk. Secondly, from ſome impediment which hinders the tranſmiſſion of the milke to the breaſts; or if it be tranſmited, it is not retained. Thirdly, a penury, or lack of bloud, either for want of neceſſary food, or by reaſon of ſome immoderate iſſue of bloud from the Matrix, or from ſome other part.
The Signes of theſe things are the ſlenderneſſe of the breaſt, a ſharp taſte in the milke, and a bad ſmell; other ſignes you need none, becauſe the diſeaſe is manifeſt of it ſelfe; in the meane time you muſt take heed, that this corrupt milke doe not ſettle in the Breaſts, and exulcerate them; wherefore beginning with the firſt cauſe, you muſt correct and amend the faults of the milke by purging out the bad juice: if phlegme abound, give her hot things, not onely to purge her, but alſo to nouriſh her244 body; if choler be predominant, preſcribe cooling and moiſtning things.
But when the Breaſts doe neither draw the bloud nor retaine it, you muſt be ſolicitous to ſtrengthen the Breaſts by drawing bloud unto them; to this purpoſe you muſt rub her body, apply fomentations, and Cataplaſmes, that will moderately heat, and expell, made of mariſh mallow roots, the leaves of Violets, mallowes, melilot, fenugreek, the crum of white breead and the yolks of Eggs.
Moreover, if the parts want nouriſhment, then let her ſeed upon the choiceſt diſhes, or at leaſt appoint ſuch things for her, as are good to increaſe bloud, and milke, as eggs, butter, milke boiled with fennill, par ſnips, and the like.
Rock her to ſleep, by peaceable and ſweet admonitions, and exerciſe your wits to keep her from anger, melancholy, and all other perturbations of the minde.
It will not be hurtfull, but rather expedient to allow her the uſe of good wine, but then remember to put into it the powder of earth wormes.
Contrary to this is the immoderate plenty, and ſuperfluitie of the milke, which you may eaſily diſcerne by that which245 comes away, therefore if you ſuſpect that the bloud will congeale and grow clotted, then leſſen the abundance of the mike, with a thin and ſpare diet; enjoyne her to be very abſtemious and moderate in her drinke, and if her Courſes be ſtopped, open a veine in her ankle; but otherwiſe in her arme, rub her legs, and uſe all other meanes to divert the bloud from the Breaſts; but above all things, let her uſe Exerciſe, which is the beſt remedie in this caſe.
Yet if the bloud be congealed, and if by the exhalation of the thinner part, the reſt wax thick, then you muſt adminiſter attenuating and drying medicines to cut, make thin, and diſſolve the clotted bloud; of this ſort are Emplaſtrum de muciloginibus, and emplaſtrum de Meliloto, among which you may mingle the juice of Smallage, and Frankincenſe.
VVOmens Breaſts, thoſe delicate and tender parts, are not only frequently246 afflicted with the congealing of the bloud, but they are likewiſe very apt to be inflamed, by reaſon of a mixt plenty of bloud and milke, whereby they ſwell exceedingly, looke of a high, red colour, and are full of paine and ſoreneſſe; This Inflammation is accompanied with a Fever, which the Phyſitians call Lactaria, that is by Interpretation, the Fever of the milke, or the milky Fever; and the learned Midwives call it Pila, becauſe preſently, unleſſe the Breaſts be well chafed and rubbed, there appeareth to the touch an exact reſemblance of a Ball; This taketh not beginning from any venomou•humour contained in the Breaſts, but is rather to be accounted a Symptome, driver to the Breaſts by the motion of Nature, and the bloud; it is likewiſe very hardly diſtinguiſhable from a true Fever, in which all the ſignes are conſpicuous and manifeſt, as appeare in this, the ſwelling in the Breaſts onely being excepted, which is not ſome Ball accidently ſwallowed with the drinke, as many learned men have vainely, and irrationally ſurmiſed; for how is it poſſible, that a Ball ſhould ſlip from the ſtomack thorough thoſe ſlender paſſages of the Meſſentery, and the Liver247 the hollow veine, and the Axillary veines, to the region of the Breaſts; therefore in my Judgment, it is a phlegmatick matter, ravelled as it were by the burning heat of the part into long threads, as it happeneth to the ſlow matter contained in the Kidneys, and the Bladder.
If the Fever and the Inflammation be urgent, you muſt immediately command a veine in her ankle to be opened, if it happen preſently after her delivery: but if a moneth be overpaſt, let the Baſilick vein on the ſame ſide be opened.
You muſt preſcribe medicines to repell the humour, but be carefull that they be not extreame cold, leaſt the humour ſhould retire back to the principall parts; a Glyſter alſo muſt be firſt injected; and you may afterwards preſcribe this Poultis following, which will mollifie and diſſolve the humour, and be very profitable.
Take an ounce of mariſh mallow roots.
The leaves of mallowes,
Violets,
Plantane, of each a handfull and a halfe.
Boile them altogether in milke to ſoftneſſe, and pulp them thorough a Sieve, and to the pulp add
248Foure ounces of the crum of white Bread.
A ſcruple of Saffron.
Mingle them, and make a Poultis.
Many times the Breaſts and the Nipples are full of chaps, which exceedingly torment and paine a woman: theſe are cauſed by a ſharp wateriſh humour falling down upon them, and may be cured with mallowes boiled in breaſt-milke, or with the white of an egg, or with Lilly leaves moiſtned in oyle, or with Ʋnguentum Pompholygos, or which will exceed all the former with oyle of Nutmegs; among which you may mingle bolearmenick with Cerus, and ſome drops of oyle of Lead, or ſome other oyle by it ſelf.
VVHen a woman is delivered, there appeare Chaps, or Wrinckles, by reaſon of the coming forth of the Childe, and the flux of the Menſtrunm: theſe we have often cured with gentle, aſtringent medicines, having firſt adminiſtred this Injection thorough a Syringe.
Take halfe an ounce of Comphrey roots.
Two drams of Cyprus nuts.
Pomegranet flowers,
Red roſes, of each as many as you can containe between your thumb and two fingers at twice.
Myrtle ſeeds,
Shumach ſeeds, of each a dram.
Boile them in a ſufficient quantity of red wine, to ſixteen ounces, and reſerve the ſtrained liquor for an Injection; or
Take a dram of Comphrey roots.
Cyprus nuts, and the ſeeds of rhois,
250Of each halfe a dram.
As many red roſes as your thumb and two fingerscan graſp.
Beat them to a groſſe powder, and with an ounce of unguent. Pompholygos, and a piece of Cotton, make a Peſſary.
With the ſame medicines, intermingling ſome other things that are greater binders, you may help the looſeneſſe, and wideneſſe of the ſecret parts; which if they be not ſeaſonably and prudently contracted, may poſſibly be a cauſe that the woman will have no more Children. Some Midwives uſe water wherein ſheele hath been infuſed, which we diſlike not, provided that when you boile the water, you put in a quantity of Sumach ſeeds, Medlar ſeeds, and red Roſes.
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