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.