THE HAPPY DELIVERY OF WOMEN.  
Wherein is set down the Government of Women.  
In the time 

Of their breeding Child:  
Of their Travail, both Natural, and contrary to Nature: And  
Of their lying in.    
Together with the diseases, which happen to Women in those times, and the means to help them.  
To which is added, a Treatise of the diseases of Infant and young Children: with the Cure of them.  
Written in French by JAMES GVILLIMEAV the French Kings Chirurgeon.  
LONDON Printed by A. HATFIELD. 1612.   

Ad Authorem.  
TErgeminam meritò laudem sibi vendicet Author  
Cui Matris curae est, cui Puerique salus.  
Faem● Laudabit te iure Puerpera; grates  
Vir quoque pro saluâ coniuge, Letus aget.  
Inque tuum primos Infans formabit honorem  
Risus, cum tumidi carceris exit onus.  
Infans, Vir, Mulier, pro vitâ vota rependant:  
Chara tibi coniux, pignora chara ferao.   

THE authors Epistle Introductory to the Reader.  
ALthough that man be the most perfect & absolute of all other creatures, nevertheless, so weak is he by Nature, & so subject to infinite infirmities, that Divine Hypocrates hath urged him, to be even sickness itself from his very birth: He is not fit (saith he) to be employed in any business while be sucketh: because h●e wholly depends upon the help of another: afterward when he comes to more years, he grows stubborn, and unruly, and wants a M●ster to give him instruction: Again, when he is grown to the prime of his age, he becomes audacious and proud. At last in his declining time, he falls into misery, having nothing left him, but the remembrance of his labours ill bestowed.  
Pliny noteth, and experience shows it to be true that the ill sent only of a Candle new put forth, is enough to destroy a child in the mother's womb, so that she may be forced to fall in travail, and be delivered before her time, unless her strength be the greater to resist the offence. And although the child stay the full time that nature hath prefixed him: yet commonly he is not able to get forth, or come safely into the World (yea though the birth be natural) without the help not only of the Mother, and himself: but also of the Midwife and other women about her ready to receive and cherish him: And which is worst of all; if he be placed awry, or else be weak and faint, or else if the midwife be at the farthest of her skill; then if they will save the child, and so consequently the mother from death: they must call a Chirurgeon to deliver her, and bring the child into the world: which (that I may touch it by the way without taxing any) is commonly done too late either through the wilfulness of the kinsfolks, or obstinacy of the Midwives.  
But grant that the child comes into the world of itself, without the help either of Chirurgeon or Midwife: yet (as it is commonly said) he draws his death after him: the which may be plainly perceived by the cries and laments which he maketh as soon as he seeth the light, as if hce craved for help and succour. For if he should continue in that case that he comes from his mother's womb, clogged with his bed or afterbirth, without doubt this bed being putrefied, would infect the child, and at length kill it. Besides, oftentimes if there were not help to make a free passage, in the fundament, yard, or other natural places, that are sometimes closed up, there could neither sustenance be received, nor excrements expelled, which would cause the child to be stifled, and choked up.  
Many times also the head, and other parts of the body, (as the bones and legs) happen to be ill shapen, yea broken and out of joint, which would never come of themselves, into their proper and natural place. There, then is it necessary that the Chirurgeon use his helpful and skilful hand: So that every man may plainly see the necessity and Antiquity of this work: since that the first practice in Chirurgery, that ever was done in the world, was the Omphalotomia, or cutting of the Navel, which Adam and Eve practised on their first child.  
These therefore are the Motives that have induced me to publish this discourse, and therein to treat of such diseases as happen to women with child.  
And herein I have endeavoured to help them both in their natural, and extraordinary travail: and to ease them in all such accidents, as may happen unto them in their childbed: being the rather incited thereunto, by reading the complaints of Women, related by Soranus. O malè occupatum virorum genus! occidimur nos non morimur: & ab illis qui inter vos peritissimi existimantur perperam curatae. Vos de qualibet levissimâ vestratum affectionum, libros ex libris facientes, bibliothecas Voluminibus oneratis; de nostris intereà diris et difficillimis cruciatibus nullâ vel exiguâ mentione facta.  
O men, how ill do you bestow your time, and pains! Alas, we women die not, but are tormented even to death: For those that are accounted the most expert and skilful among you, take not that care of us which they should: you fill whole Libraries with large volumes & writings of every light and trivial disease of your own making little or no mention at all, of our cruel and insupportable torments.  
I had purposed above fifteen years since, to have written somewhat concerning this subject in my books of Chirurgery: but having more maturely considered thereof, I thought it fitter to write a Treatise of it by itself: which it deserveth both for the difficulty of the subject, and for the variety of the matter which I was desirous to observe therein: And indeed this work excelleth all other, which are practised upon the body of man: whether ye respect the Antiquity, Necessity, or dexterity thereof.  
For the Antiquity: without doubt the first work in Chirurgery, that ever was in the world, was the cutting of the Navel which, (as is said before) Adam practised upon his first borne.  
Concerning the necessity: some perhaps may object, that the bringing a bed of women, is not so necessary a work as these following:  
To stay the flux of blood, whether it be in vein or Artery; to use the Trepan; to open the Empyema, or suppuration in the breast; to cut one that hath the Dropsy; or to let blood skilfully: For the flux of blood it may be further said, that unless it be stopped by losing the blood, the life also is endangered. But we must consider, that the blood oftentimes staying of itself, and experience evidently shows, that nature, which is wise and provident doth commonly restrain, and stop it. I have been present in many skirmishes, (yet far enough out of gun-shot, where I have dressed many that were wounded, who have had the great vessels in many parts of their bodies cut, and bruised, having lost much blood upon the hurt, and yet it hath stopped and stayed of itself. Some will say, that he who hath his skull cl●ft by a wound is in danger of death, if the blood that is shed upon the Membrane, be not taken forth by the means of the Trepan; For this blood would be wholly putrefied, and withal, corrupt the brain, the chief instrument of life, and whose use is more than necessary. Notwithstanding we see, that in many, the filth and ma●ter comes forth by the Nose, Ears, and mouth, without being trepanned, yea, that it passeth even through their bones. We may say the like of such which have the Dropsy, or Empyema, the breast of the one is full of Corruption, & the others belly full of water: they both choke and stifle, unless the Chirurgeon make incision: in the one making a Paracentosis, in the other opening the Pleura.  
Yet nevertheless we see, that he which hath an Empyema or suppuration doth oftentimes expel the matter, and filth, by the mouth or urine (the ways being manifest, by which nature doth unburden herself) and he that hath the Dropsy avoideth the water, either by urine, or stool, yea, and by sweat, or by some little vent which Nature makes in some part of the body, as in the Navel or legs: which we observe by daily experience in many men: and therefore we may perceive, that these practices are not always, so necessary, and requisite.  
For letting blood; you will say, that he hazards his life, (and that suddenly) who being oppressed, and troubled with a great pain of his head or side, is not speedily let blood? because the blood that boileth in his veins, striveth only to come forth; I will answer: that Nature very often sends it forth by the Nose, Mouth, Eyes, and Ears: by stool also, and other parts, disburdening herself to the sick Man's ease and profit: But It is not so in the delivery of women; for if the entrance of the womb be closed, (as it is seen in divers) whether it be naturally, by reason of a strong and thick membrane, which shutteth up the passage: or other wise, because some scar happening there, hath hardened, and shrunk up the sides of the neck of the said womb: it would be impossible that nature should ever be able to separate, and break through th●se impediments: for as for the one, it is hard for a pen or quill to pass there, and for the other, you cannot put in a small probe through the little hole which is in the midst of the membrane. And yet I have had the experience thereof in two women, which were never the less with child, as I will show more at large hereafter. So that either the chirurgeons help must be used, or else both the Mother and the child would die miserably.  
Some may object unto me, that the Mother might open the passage herself by tearing the parts so bound by the scar, & breaking through the said membrane? But what will you answer me, for her which hath her child turned awry and lies double in her womb, and falleth into a Convulsion, or flux of blood, or both together. The Mother not being able either to turn it, or pull it forth, especially if the head of it be entangled and fastened between the bones of os Pubis, so that it is impossible to turn it, safe and sound, except the Chirurgeon use his industry and skill.  
Now for the dexterity: there is no comparison between this and other practices; for there be no works to be done in Chirurgery; where it is not necessary, to have the benefit either of daylight or candle light, and the part which is to be handled, and dressed must be apparent and laid open to the eye.  
Whereas chose in this work as well by reason of the company present, as also, lest the woman should be afraid, the very entrance, whereby he should put in his hand, they are constrained to hide: and then his hand being there, he must search for the child) howsoever it be placed) not being able to see it. And if there be found two, three, or four Children, yea, sometime five (as Albertus Magnus reporteth, he saw in Germany, a Woman that brought forth to the number of threescore and five children, being delivered every year of five) then (I say) I leave you to judge what skill and dexterity the Chirurgeon ought to use in seeking them one after another if they come amiss.  
On the other side, as often as a woman is well delivered by the help and hand of the Chirurgeon, there life is given to two, to wit: to the Mother and the child. And therefore as this worthy man saith, In partu invocatur dei auxilium: quaeritur enim & parturientis & nascentis salus. When a woman is in travail, they call upon God for help: because they desire to save both the Mother and the child. Now in all other practices, though they attain to their wished end, yet can there be but one only saved at once. Whereby it may be judged, that this practice is both for the Antiquity, Necessity, and dexterity thereof, the most laudable and commendable of all others.  
To make the which more easy, and the better to instruct the young Chirurgeon: I have gathered together all that I could possibly, out of that which I have observed this forty years and above, wherein I have practised it, and seen it practised, in the greatest families both within, and without this Kingdom, where, thanks be to God, good use hath been made of me. And withal I have not refused nor disdained to go unto the meanest, moved partly by Charity, and partly to make myself more and more experienced therein.  
Having then conferred together, what either the Grecians and Latins both ancient and Modern have written, with that I have been able to observe: and having reduced it all into one, I have put it into French in favour of those who are not so well learned, and have not the knowledge of the Greek or Latin tongues.  
Some will say (to diminish that little honour, which I might get by this my labour) that the Ancients have written the greatest part hereof. But they shall learn from the mouth of this great Oracle, That there is no less wit and understanding required, to be able to judge of Sciences formerly written, then to be the first Authors of them.  
I know Moreover, that in the Doctrine, and much more in the phrase, some will find many things to be reprehended. But I entreat the Reader, that he would receive it in as good part as I offer it him: and likewise exhort others, (that are more experienced, than I am: to do better. Let them show me my faults friendly; and I will not refuse, willingly to retract them: after the example of that divine Hipocrates, who freely confessed his, saying openly, that he had gotten more dishonour, than either glory, or credit, by practising of Physic.  
  

The Translators Preface.  
THus far hath the Author pleaded for himself, whom while I Translate, lest the fault be translated upon me, I will speak somewhat for myself, before I be accused: lest when I am accused, there be no body to speak for me: If therefore it be thought prejudicial, either to the literarie commonwealth of Physic, that I have exported and made common a commodity, which the learned would have had private to themselves: or if I have been oftensive to Women, in prostituting and divulging that, which they would not have come to open light, and which beside cannot be expressed in such modest terms, as are fit for the virginity of pen & paper, and the white sheets of their Childbed. I must (as well as I can) defend myself from these imputations, and show my care to keep both learning and modesty illibate, and inviolable. First then, I have done no more in this, than the Author hath in his French Copy, which is common to be had and read in that vulgar tongue: In defence of which, and this the shadow thereof, I must say that it is not writ so much for the learned (who notwithstanding, if they have not the french, may make use of this) as for the chirurgeons, & Midwives, who are called to this kind of employment. As for women (whom I am most afraid to offend) they must be content to have their infirmities detected, if they will have help for them, which I wish might not come to any ear or eye, but to those which they themselves would have acquainted therewith, and as well for their sakes, as mine own satisfaction: I have endeavoured to be as private and retired, in expressing all the passages in this kind as possibly I could.  
And with this I hope all good Gentlewomen will rest satisfied: to whom I wish all happiness of increase, and all increase of happiness, that they may have a good hour for this business, and for all other Contentments, many good days and years.   

A Summarie or Brief of all the Chapters contained in this work.  


That which is handled in the first Book.  
THe government and ordering of a woman, the nine Months she goes with Child; and the means to help her, whatsoever sickness doth happen in that space. Fol. 1  
1 The signs, whereby to know that a woman is with Child. 2  
CHAP. 2 The signs to know whether she will have a Boy, or a Wench. 8  
3 The signs to know that a woman hath two Children. 12  
4 Of false Conception. 13  
5 Of the order of Diet, which a great bellied woman ought to keep. 18  
6 How a Woman must govern herself all the time of her being with Child. 27  
7 Of divers Accidents which trouble and molest Women while they are with Child. 32  
8 Of women's longing, called Pica, 34  
9 Of distastefulness, and of the Hicket. 41  
10 Of the Vomiting, which comes upon a women with child. 43  
11 Of the pains of the Stomach, Flanks, and Belly, which happens to a Woman with Child. 47  
12 Of the pain of the Back, Hips, and Groin, and of the difficulty of making Water, which chanceth to Women with child. 49  
13 Of the palpitation and beating of the heart: As also of the swoonings which happen to women with Child. 52  
14 Of the Cough. 54  
15 Of Costivenesse, or hardness of the Belly. 51  
16 Of the Flux of the Belly, or lask. 61  
17 Of the swelling of their Legs and Thigh's. 65  
18 Of Abortment, or the means to help them that bear not their Children to the full time. 69    


That which is handled in the second Book. The means to help a Woman with Child, either in her natural Travail, or that which shall be contrary to Nature.  
1 OF Midwives. Fol. 79  
2 What manner of woman a Midwife ought to be. 84  
3 What must be observed when a woman is ready to fall in travail. 86  
4 Of the duty and office of a Midwife, concerning the first time she must observe in the travail. 91  
5 Of the second time she must observe. 93  
6 Of the third time she must observe. 97  
7 Of the care and attendance that must be had, to a woman that is newly delivered. 101  
8 Of painful, and difficult delivery, and the causes thereof. 104  
9 The means to help Women that are delivered with difficulty and great pain. 113  
10 Of divers kinds of deliveries which are performed by the chirurgeons help. And first, what a Chirurgeon ought to consider, before he go about this work. 123  
11 The means of helping a woman that is troubled with a Flux of blood, and Convulsions, in the time of her travail. 125  
12 The way to help a woman in travail, when the Afterbirth comes foremost. 133  
13 The means to help a woman, when her Child is dead in her womb. 136  
14 The way to draw forth a Child that is puffed up & swollen. 104  
15 The means to help a woman, when her Child comes with the head forward, having his Neck and Head turned awry. 144  
16 The means to help a woman, when the Child cometh with an Arm and the Head foremost. 147  
17 The means to help a woman, when the Child comes with both his Arms, and the Head foremost. 149  
18 The means to help a woman, when the Child comes, with one, or both the Feet foremost. 152  
19 The means to help the delivery, when the Child cometh, with both his Hands, and both his Feet together foremost. 160  
20 The means to help the Woman when the Child cometh double, putting foremost either his Sides, or his Back, and Shoulders, or his Buttocks. 163  
21 The manner of helping the delivery, when the Child cometh with his Breast, and Belly foremost. 166  
22 The means to help the delivery when there is two Twins, and the one comes with his Head, and the other with his Feet foremost. 169  
23 The means to help the woman that hath two Twins, when they both come with their Feet foremost. 173  
24 Of the Afterbirth, which is retained, and stays after the delivery, and the means to bring it away. 176  
25 The way to take forth a Child, by the Caesarian section. 185    


What is contained in the third Book. The Government, and ordering of a Woman newly delivered, and of the diseases that happen unto her, in her month.  
1 OF her Diet. 189  
2 What must be done to her Breasts, Belly, and neither parts. 194  
3 Of the Accidents that follow the Delivery; And first of the Gripe, or After-throwes. 206  
4 Of the falling down of the Fundament and Matrice. 210  
5 Of the hurts and excoriations, which happen in the neither parts after the delivery. 211  
6 Of the Hemorroides. 215  
7 Of the immoderate flowing or coming down of the ordinary evacuations or purge. 220  
8 Of the suppression or stopping of the said purge. 227  
9 Of the false Conception, staying behind after the delivery. 232  
10 Of the precipitation, or falling down of the Matrice. 235  
11 Of the sticking and growing together, of the neck of the Matrice. 245    
FINIS.   

THE GOVERNMENT and ordering of a Woman the nine months that she goes with child: And also the means to help her what sickness soever doth happen in that time.  
The First Book.  Written by JAMES GWILLEMEAV the French Kings Chirurgeon in Ordinary, and sworn at PARIS. 

THE PREFACE.  
I Have purposed only in this Work, to handle the government of a Woman with child, and the means to help her in her travail; together with the order which is necessary for her in her childbed. But because this government is particular, and proper to a Woman with child, before we give order thereunto, we must first find out whether she be with child, or no.   

The signs to know whether a woman be with child, or no. CHAP. I.  
A Chirurgeon must be very circumspect, in determining whether a woman be conceived, or no; because many have prejudiced their knowledge, and discretion, by judging rashly hereof. For there is nothing more ridiculous, then to assure a woman that she is with child; and afterward, that her natural sickness, 
The chirurgeons must beware of judging rashly.  or store of water should come from her: and in stead of a child, some windy matter should break from her, and so her belly fall, and grow flat again: which hath happened unto many men, that have been well esteemed, both for their learning, and experience. And we have seen the experience hereof in some women, which were (without all question) thought to be so great, that the Midwife was even ready to receive the child: 
A story.  who notwithstanding have been freed and acquitted hereof either by their natural purge and evacuations, or by voiding of water, or else expelling of wind. The which happened unto Mad. P. to her great grief, who was delivered of certain gallons of water, when she thought assuredly that she had been with child. I saw the contrary happen to the daughter of M. Marcel: who was judged by four of the chief Physicians, and as many chirurgeons, and two Midwives, not to have been with child; and yet being dead, there was found in her body, a child between six and seven months old. And of late memory, some of the most expert Physicians, and chirurgeons of our time, 
Another.  undertook the cure of an honest woman; and from the third until the eighth month of her time, administered unto her infinite many Clysters, Apozemes, Potions, Fomentations, and Injections, and yet could not they provoke her natural sickness, much less cause her to be delivered. At length in the ninth month, she thinking that she had had the Colic, was brought a bed of a fair daughter, being verily persuaded even then when she was in travail that she was not with child, as she had assured us, all the time that she went. 
Directions for the Chirurgeon.  So that a Chirurgeon being called to give his opinion of the conception of a woman, whether it be in a judicial, or private case, must be very wary and circumspect what judgement he gives herein.  
The ancient and modern writers have left some signs whereby we may foretell it, which are collected from the Husband, from the Wife, from the Child, and from the Midwife.  
As for those signs which are taken from the Man, they are these: 
Signs of conception taken from the man  If he find an extraordinary contentment in the company of his Wife; and if he feel at the same time a kind of sucking or drawing at the end of his yard; if he return from the field of nature, not over-moyst, these are signs that a woman may have conceived. 
Experiment.  And by these observations I have known men which have assured their Wives that they have got them with child, as soon as they have had their company.  

Signs taken from the woman.  The signs which are taken from the Woman are more manifest and certain: and although the greatest part of them be found in Women and Maids, which cannot have their natural courses: yet nevertheless all these signs joined together, a man may presume as far of them as art will permit, and they be these: If she received an extraordinary delight in the company of her Husband: if from her natural parts (whether they continue dry or moist) there issue or flow nothing forth, because it is no necessary consequence, that those parts should always remain dry, since the Matrice retaineth only that, which is fit for the conformation of the child. Likewise, if at the same time she hath a kind of yawning, and stretching, and feels within her a shaking or quivering (such as we commonly find presently upon making of water) which runneth through the whole body, with a kind of chillness, and is felt chiefly between the shoulders and the back, with some pain about the Navel, and a rumbling or disquietness in the neither belly, which happeneth, because the Matrice shrinks itself together, 
The womb shuts itself  to entertain and embrace the matter of generation which it hath drawn and sucked in, feeling thereby a kind of tickling. Again, if within few days she falls a vomiting, and spitting, distastes her meat, groweth dull, careless, and qualmish, longeth after strange things, finding her belly fallen, and grown flat, according to the French proverb. 
— Au ventre plat, enfant ya.  
In a belly which is flat,  
there's a child, be sure of that.  Which makes them oftentimes to complain and say they be quite fallen away. Than not long after her belly swells and grows bigger; her hips and rains are enlarged; her courses appear not, which should flow at certain times, 
Some women when they be with child have their courses.  (although some have them when they be with child.) Likewise if towards the second month her eyes grow hollow & wan, her eyeballs show less: the lids be loose, limber, and soft: the veins in the corners of her eyes more swollen, and bigger than ordinary. 
Hypocrates.  For as H●ppocrates saith, if thou canst not find by any means whether a woman be with child, or no, her very eyes will tell thee: for their eyes be more hollow, and sunk inward; and the white is turned bluish: the veins and arteries of their neck are puffed up, and more apparent then usually: their breasts grow big, and hard, with some pain and pricking, having also milk within them: the nipple waxeth firm, and hard: red, if it be a boy; and sometime blackish, if it be a wench, which happeneth about the third or fourth month, when they begin to quicken.  

Signs taken from urines.  Some judge of their being with child by the urine, as if it be white, and clearly mingled with little moats, and that at the top there is perceived as it were a little cloud like to the Rainbow; or of an Opal colour, At the bottom there appears a certain thick sediment, which being shaken, spreads itself into little flocks, like to carded wool. Towards the end, their urine is thick and reddish, by reason of the long retention of their natural courses.  

Experiment of Fernelius.  Fernelius makes this trial, which is, to take equal quantities of the woman's urine, and of white wine and to shake them well together, if this mixture look like the broth of beans, it is a sign she is with child.  

Hypocrates. Hydromell is made of honey and water boiled together.  Hypocrates sets down divers experiments, as to give the woman Hydromell to drink made with rain water at night when she goes to bed, or else honey and Annisseed beaten and dissolved in water. If she be with child, she will feel great pains and griping in her belly, (unless she be used to such kind of drink, 
Avicen.  as Avicen saith.) Besides, if she receive below any strong or stinking oder or smell, her clothes being well wrapped close about her, and the sent pierce not up into her nose, she hath conceived: As also, having over night put up a clove of Garlic, if in the morning the savour or taste come not into her mouth.  

Truest signs gathered from the Child.  But these signs are not so certain, the truest and surest are those which are collected from the child, when he begins to stir and move, which commonly happens in the third and fourth month. This motion is very gentle, not unlike the stirring of a fly when he flieth.  
Another certain sign may be perceived by the Midwife, 
Signs gathered by the Midwife.  who putting up her finger into the womb to touch the inner orifice thereof, if the woman be with child she shall find it so close shut, that the point of a needle will scarce enter therein, yet soft, and without any hardness, which also will be drawn upward being shrunk and as it were trussed up, because the body of the Matrice doth gather itself together to embrace the seed, which is the reason that the Midwife can very hardly come to reach it with her finger.  
Some women when they be with child hate the company of their husbands: which quality is said also to be in brute beasts when they be great with young, who commonly shun the company of the Male. And surely there be certain times and seasons of the year proper for brute beasts to couple, but man (as Pliny saith) hath neither time nor season limited him, neither day nor hour appointed him, that so he might have his desire at all times: which hath been thus ordained by nature, as being more fit, and necessary for man to multiply in his kind he being (the lively image of God, and made to behold his glory) then for brute beasts, which were created only for the use of man.  
I know well the answer that those two noble Ladies, Poppea the daughter of Agrippina, 
A pleasant answer.  and julia the daughter of Augustus made concerning this matter. The one said, that brute beasts cannot taste the delight which women receive that are with child, because they are without reason: and the other said, that when her ship was laden with wares, than she could take in passengers.   

The signs whereby to know whether a woman be with child of a boy or a wench. CHAP. II.  
Having shown the means to know whether a woman be truly conceived, it will not be from the purpose to handle this question for the satisfaction of some curious minds, who as soon as the Chirurgeon hath given his censure that a woman is with child, demands presently of him whether it will be a boy, 
The difference of sex is hard to foretell.  or a wench? But as it is very hard to know at the first whether the woman be with child or no, so by great reason must it needs be far more difficult to discern, and distinguish the difference of the sex, and to determine whether it will be a boy or a wench.  
I know there are some that boast they can certainly do it, but for the most part it happeneth rather by chance, then through either art or skill. And for proof thereof, I have showed them a child newly come from the mother's womb, only laying my hand upon the privy parts, yet durst they not be so bold as give their opinion thereof, saying, that it were more easy to judge of it when it was in the womb, seeing that from thence might be gathered many evident signs: but we must account the greatest part of them to be uncertain, as we have formerly said. Nevertheless, to distinguish the Male from the Female, we will presently show all the marks which we ever knew, or could observe, either out of the ancient, or modern writers.  
And first of all, young women commonly are with child rather of a boy then of a wench, because they be hotter than the elder women, which was observed by Aristotle, who saith farther, 
Aristotle.  that if an aged woman which never had children before, chance to conceive, one may be sure it will be a wench. The like happeneth (as some write) to women, which conceive when the wind is in the South, who for the most part bring forth daughters, and when the north-wind bloweth, sons. 
Observation.   
Hypocrates saith, 
Hipp. Aph.  that a woman which goeth with a boy hath a good colour, for a woman in her case, but if it be of a wench, she will have a worse complexion. Likewise if the right breast be harder and firmer, the nipple hard, red, and more eminent, the milk white and thick, which being milked or spirtled against a sleeke-stone, or some such smooth thing, continues in a round form like a pearl, 
Signs of a boy.  and being cast even into water it dissolveth not, but sinks directly to the bottom: and if you make a cake with the said milk and flower, and in the baking it continues firm, and close, it is a sign the woman is with child of a boy. Again, she that goeth with a boy, hath the right side of her belly bigger, and more copped, and there the child stirreth oftenest. This motion commonly at six weeks is scarce sensible, but at two months and a half more manifest. The Male child lieth high above the Navel by reason of his heat, and the Female at the bottom of the belly, because of her coldness and weight. They which be with child of a boy are more quick and nimble in all their actions, and be in better health of body, without being subject to many infirmities, which commonly happen to women with child of a wench.  

●●gnes gathered out ●f Avicen.  Avicen observeth these signs, That a woman with child of a boy hath the pulse of her right side stronger, higher, and thicker, then that of the left: she will reach out her right hand rather than her left, and in going she will always set forth the right foot foremost: her right breast is bigger than the left, and the right eye greater, brighter, and more sparkling: and if a woman about her last months have any great sickness, or any throws, without being delivered, it is some likelihood that she is with child of a boy, since the male child is faster tied and bound then the female, because the ligaments which hold and fasten him are stronger and drier than they that bind and support a wench.  

Signs of a wench.  A woman which is with child of a daughter hath a pale, heavy, and swarth countenance, a melancolique eye: she is wayward, fretful, and sad: she bears in her face as Hypocrates saith, 
Hypocrates lib. de stipilitate.  Maculam solarem, that is to say, her face is spotted with red, like those who have been much in the sun: her left breast is bigger than the right; and the top of the nipple black. The milk which comes forth of her breasts is bluish, thin, and waterish: her belly is flat; and she feels her burden move on the left side, and that, not before the fourth month: the veins of her thighs, and groin, are bigger, and more knotty on the left side then on the right. An honest Gentlewoman assured me that she had made trial of this receipt, which is, 
An experiment.  to take an equal quantity of Claret wine, and of urine made in the morning, put them together into a glass, and let them stand a whole day, if there appear in the bottom a gross cloud, thick like to Beane-broth, it is a sign the woman is with child of a boy, if it appear in the midst, it is sign of a wench, if there be nothing found in the bottom but the ordinary residence of urine, it shows she is not with child at all.  
An experiment likewise may be made out of the practice of Livia, 
Another experiment of Livia.  the Mother of the Emperor Tiberius, who being with child, and desirous to know with what she went, took an egg from under a Hen that sat, and kept it warm so long in her hands, till at last a Cock-Chicken was hatched out of it, whereby she knew that she should have a son, which proved to be Tiberius' the Emperor, as Suetonius reporteth.  
here will it not be beside our purpose to set down what Hypocrates writes in his book the superfaetatione, 
The means how to bege● a son, or a daughter.  of the means how to get a man or woman-child. He that will (saith he) beget a son, must know his wife as soon as her courses are stayed, and then try the utmost of his strength; but if he desire to get a daughter, then must he company with his wife a good while after her courses, or at that time when she hath them: and beside, he must tie his right stone as hard as he can endure it; and when he would have a son, he must tie the left. But Aristotle seems wrongfully to blame his worthy man, when he saith, that the generation of Males or Females depends of the strength of the seed, and not of the stones, the use whereof he saith, is not for generation. But experience teacheth us the contrary, for the countrymen when they would have a Bull beget a Cow-calf, or a Bull-Calfe, they tie the right stone for the one, and the left for the other.   

The signs whereby to know that a woman goeth with two children. CHAP. III.  

To know whether a woman will bring two children.  THe signs that a woman hath conceived two children, do seldom appear before the third or fourth month, which then is known, both by the moving of the children, and also by the greatness and swelling of the woman's belly. As for the motion, if it be felt strong and forcible both on the right and the left side, at the same instant, than it is apparent, that there be two children. Likewise for the greatness of her belly, if it appear more swollen and bigger than in her other childbearing, if the sides be higher than the middle of her belly, and from the navel downward there appear as it were a line or separation between both sides creasted; if the woman bear her burden with difficulty, and her belly fall upon her thighs and hips, then may you safely say that she goeth with two children.   

Of false Conception. CHAP. FOUR  
WOmen are oftentimes deceived in reckoning themselves with child, for they think themselves with child when it is nothing but the stopping of their natural sickness, which keepeth not due course. Some have a false conception, which is as it were the beginning of Mola. Others have the Mola itself, which we commonly call the Mooncalf.  
False conception is a lump of flesh gathered together commonly like to the gizzard of a fowl, 
What a false conception is.  which is bigger or lesser according to the continuance of it, which nature commonly expelleth in the second, third, or fourth month. But the Mola is far bigger, and continues a year or two, yea ten or twelve, and sometime as long as the woman lives. Of this Mola there be two kinds, the one may be called a true, the other a false one. 
Mola is either true, or false.  The true Mola is fleshy, being nothing else but an unprofitable mass, without shape or form, hard and firm, bred within the Matrice, and cleaving to the sides thereof. The false Mola is of three sorts, the one windy, being a collection of gross winds: the second waterish, or a heaping together of waters: the third humoral, or a meeting of many humours. All three contained within the capacity of the womb, which doth make them differ from the swelling, hardness, or Scyrehus of the said womb, or from any flesh, water, or humour, which may chance to cleave to, or touch the outward part thereof. These are often bred together with the child, 
Mola bred together with the child.  but then they cause death, either for that the child is deceived of his nourishment which is carried to the Mola; or because he wanting room, cannot grow and come to perfection.  

Hypocrates.  Hypocrates saith, that there be some living and some dead Moles. The dead are like to the false burdens, so called, because women carry them not long, as being but lightly tied and fastened to the sides of the Matrice. Sometime they are divided into divers several pieces, so that Nicholas Nicolus saith, he saw a woman which cast forth nine of them in one day, the least whereof weighed four pound. The quick and living Moles are they which wholly cleave to the womb, and continue with the woman even to her death.  

cause of the flesh Mole.  The cause of the fleshy Mole according to the ancient writers cannot wholly proceed from the woman, but the man must add somewhat thereunto. Galen holdeth, that it is bred when the man's seed is weak, barren, imperfect, or in little quantity; and for the most part choked through the abundance of the menstruous blood, which is gross and thick, unfit for the framing of a child, so that in stead thereof is bread a lump of flesh that by little and little increaseth, being wrapped in his own membrane, which nature effecteth, as desirous to bring forth any thing rather than to be idle.  
The windy Mole is engendered through want of heat in the Matrice, and other parts adjoining, 
Windy Mole.  as the Liver and Spleen, whereby much wind is bred and shut up in the emptiness of the womb. It may also come from without, as in women newly delivered, and in such which having had their natural courses in great abundance, do venture too soon into the cold air.  
The watery Mole proceeds from the abundance of watery showers which is sent from the Liver, 
Watery Mole.  or the Spleen, or other parts thereabouts; or else through the weakness of the Matrice, which cannot assimilate the blood that is brought to nourish it, part whereof is turned into water, and being not voided, stayeth in the womb.  
The humoral Mole is bred by reason of too much moisture, as of serious, or whayish humours, 
Humorall  of the whites, or waterish evacuations, which come down through the vessels of the Matrice, and are stayed in the concavity thereof.  
False conception hath some common signs with the true, as suppression of the natural courses, 
Common signs.  depraved appetite, distastefulness, vomiting, swelling of the belly and breasts, so that it is very hard to distinguish the one from the other. But these that follow are more proper to the false, 
Signs of false conception.  than the true birth: for (as Hypocrates saith) In false conception, or Mola, the face is commonly puffed up, their breasts which were swollen at the beginning, do fall, and daily wax soft, limber, and lank, and without milk. In the end, the face, breasts, arms, thighs, and legs grow lean and thin: true it is, that they swell towards night, like those that have the dropsy, the belly riseth and groweth quickly, and withal very hard, for the most part of an equal roundness, with divers pricking pains in the bottom of the belly that never cease, which makes them that they can hardly walk, being hindered as it were with a heavy burden, and having oftentimes a windiness in the womb, as Ahasis reporteth.  

Signs from the motion.  The said Hypocrates observeth, how that by the motion it may easily be known, for in true conception the male child beginneth to stir at the end of the third month, or sooner; and the female at the third or fourth month: and where there is no such quickening, we must observe whether there be any milk in the breasts, if there be none found, it is a sign that it is a Mole. 
The child moveth of itself, and not the Mole.  Beside, the mother feeleth the child move every way, both on the right side, and on the left, as much above, as below, and in the middle, without any help. But in false conception, though there be some motion, it is not animal, but proceedeth rather from the expulsive faculty of the Mother then of the Mole, which having no living soul endeavoureth not of itself to come forth, neither provoketh the womb as the child doth, who having need of air to breath in, seeks after it. But this is a most evident sign when the woman lies down on either side, for than she feels it fall like a bowl, and is not able to uphold, or stay it; yea, and being laid on her back, if her belly be pressed or crushed, it will remain in the place whither it is thrust, without coming back again. Now that which most assureth us, is, 
True signs.  when the nine months are past, and the woman not delivered, but her belly grows bigger, and swelleth more and more, and all the other parts grow lean and less, this is a sure sign of a Mole, though there be some women that have borne their children ten, yea, eleven months.  
The signs of the windy Mole are these, 
Signs of the windy.  the belly is equally swollen and stretched like a bladder, softer than in the fleshy Mole, and chiefly near the groin and neither belly, which being struck upon soundeth like a Tabour: sometime it decreaseth, and otherwhile it swelleth more: it is sooner bred and increased then the fleshy or watery, and stretches the belly as though it would tear it, which is not proper to the fleshy.  
As for the watery and humoral, 
Signs of the watery and humoral.  the signs are almost alike, the belly grows big, and riseth by little and little. If you touch it with your finger sometimes the print thereof will remain behind: it is even, without any hardness. It is true, that the woman lying on her back, her flanks are fuller and bigger than the middle and bottom of the belly, which wax flat, the water and humour running from one side to the other; and in shaking the belly, they feel a swimming and floating of water.  

Difference between the Watery and humoral.  This difference may be also added, that in the the waterish the flanks, groin, and sometime the thighs are more distended and swollen then in the humoral, because the waterish substance stealeth thither soonest: besides, that which passeth forth and bloweth below is clear like water, without any ill smell; but that which floweth in the humoral is reddish, and like to the washing of flesh, and of a bad sent. This also is to be observed, that in the false conception the natural courses flow not, and that the Navel doth show itself but little, or not at all, as it commonly doth when the Mother is with child. Concerning the cure thereof, I mean (godwilling) to handle it hereafter.   

What diet and order a woman with child ought to keep. CHAP. V.  
THat a woman with child may enjoy her perfect health, she must diligently observe that which consisteth in the use of the six things not natural, which are the Air, Meat and Drink, Exercise and Rest, Sleeping and Waking, Fullness and Emptiness, and the Passions of the Mind.  

Good Air fit for a woman with child  First therefore she must dwell and live in a good and well tempered Air, which is neither too hot, nor too cold, or waterish: not subject to any foggy mists, or winds, and especially the Southwind. For (as Hypocrates saith) when those winds do blow upon every light occasion, women miscarry. The north-wind also is hurtful unto them, for those winds breed thin rheums, distillations, & troublesome Coughs in great-bellied women, 
The Cough nought for women with child.  causing them oftentimes to abort, or be delivered before their due time. Likewise such winds as bring with them ill smells and vapours, which being drawn in together with the Air we breath, into the Lungs, do many times breed very dangerous and troublesome diseases. Aristotle saith, 
Bad smells to be avoided.  that the smell of a Candle put forth, may cause a woman to abort, or lose her fruit: wherefore she must beware of all ill Air, and make her abode in houses well and pleasantly seated, shunning as much as may be possible all bad savours.  
Concerning her Diet, 
Her Diet.  she must use meats which be of good nourishment, and breed good juice, moderately drying. The quantity must be sufficient both for herself, and for her child, and therefore they are to be dispensed withal from fasting at any time: for sometime too much abstinence makes the child weak and sickly, and causeth him often to be borne before his time, seeking after nourishment, which he cannot find within his Mother's body. As also the too great quantity of meat his Mother takes, may often stifle him, 
Too much meat stifleth.  or else make him grow so big, that he cannot keep himself in his place, which constrains him either to come forth, or else makes him sickly, seeing that those meats are corrupted wherewith he is nourished a fed. Hypocrates writeth in Epidem. that the Sister of Caius Duellius after she had eat her fill, aborted.  
All meats which are either too hot, cold, or too moist, are to be avoided, and chiefly in the beginning of meals; 
Salt meats bad.  as also those which are too salt, or overmuch spiced; and likewise all baked meats are utterly forbidden. Aristotle and Pliny write, that if a woman with child eat much salt meat, her child will be borne without nails; which shows, that he will not be long lived. Her Bread must be of good Wheat, well kneaded, light, and also well baked. 
Fit meats.  For her meat she may use Hen, Chicken, Capon, young Pigeons, Turtle, Pheasants, Larks, Partridge, veal, & Mutton: and for Herbs, let her take lettuce, 
Herbs.  Endive, Borage, bugloss, and Sorrell, abstaining from all raw Salads. She may close her stomach after meat with Pears, or Quinces baked or preserved; as likewise with Cherries, or Damsons. She must shun all diuretical things, 
Diuretical and windy meats are nought.  which provoketh either urine, or the natural courses, and such as are windy, as Pease and beans. Notwithstanding, women with child have oftentimes such disordinate appetite, by reason of some salt or sharp humour which is contained within the membranes of the stomach, that they desire to eat Coals, Chalk, Ashes, Wax, Saltfish raw, yea and unwatred; and to drink Verivice, and Vinegar, yea very dregs, so that it is impossible to hinder them from eating and tasting them. But yet they must refrain and overmaister themselves therein as much as they can, since that such food may much hurt and hinder both their own and their child's health. Nevertheless if they cannot forbear, suffer them a little, and let them have their longings, for fear lest it should prove worse with them. 
Accidents that may happen.  For I have seen many women which being hindered and forbidden from using such trash, have presently fallen into travel: and in others, their children have carried the marks of some of the things they so earnestly desired and longed after. Beside, although that such meats for the most part are very bad and contrary, 
Lib. 2. Aph. 38. Cibus & potus deterior, suavior tamen: melioribus quidem sed insuavioribus est anteponendus.  yet for the desire they have to eat them they are digested commonly without hurting the party at all. Meat and drink (saith Hypocrates) is better and fitter, though it be somewhat worse, then that which is better, and not so agreeable and pleasing.  
For her Drink she may use Claret wine, mature, 
Her Drink.  and not too strong, which she must allay very well. For this Wine hath power to comfort and strengthen the stomach, and all the other parts serving for nourishment and generation: and if she cannot away with Wine, let her drink Hydromell, or Barleywater well boiled.  
Her sleep must be in the night, 
Her Sleep.  the better to digest the meat she hath taken: for watchings do engender crudities and diseases, which cause untimely births in stead of fair and goodly children; and chiefly, she must avoid sleeping after dinner. But in the morning she may take her ease, as she shall think best, yet not turning (as some great Ladies do) the day into night, and the night into day.  

Exercise.  She may use moderate exercise, but violent motion loosneth the Cotiledons or vessels of the Matrice whereby the child receives his nourishment. They must be forbid riding in Waggins or Coaches, especially in the three first months: for as upon a small occasion we see the fruits and flowers of trees do fall (as by some little wind that shakes the tree, or the like,) so many times through a light cause women great with child, 
Causes of Abortment.  in stirring or moving themselves, yea, or but setting their foot awry, may be delivered before their time.  
It was not without good cause that the Romans forbade their Wives to ride in Coaches, the which also ought to be observed in these days, especially by those who are subject to take hurt, and therefore let them walk gently, taking an especial heed and care to themselves the first three months.  

Great noises hurtful.  She must shun all great noise and sounds, as of Thunder, Artillery, and great Bells. Galen in his book de Theriaca, saith, that many women with child have died with the very fright they received by a clap of thunder: and when she is afraid of hurting herself or falling into travail, let her be carried in a Chair or Litter between two strong men, and chiefly two hours before meals: for as a woman may easily lose her burden the first month, because her child (though he be but little) is not yet firmly fastened and tied to the womb, so likewise being great or big through his weight, he may fall down, and come forth; wherefore all violent exercise, and too much labour, 
Violent exercise hurtful.  is hurtful and dangerous for her; as also to fret, chide, or laugh immoderately. The fourth, fifth, and sixth month she may use more liberty, the seventh and eight she must keep herself still and quiet, but when she is in her ninth month, then may she use more stirring, and exercise. And therefore is it that Aristotle in his Politics appointeth, 
Sentence of Aristotle.  that women with child should not be sedentary, nor live too nicely, but that since God hath blessed them to bear children, they should daily visit the Temples of the Gods for their exercise.  
The which Plato expressly commandeth in his Commonwealth, and by a kind of devotion, 
Opinion of Plato.  and religious piety. But Aristotle in that place speaketh like a Physician, as he showeth in his book the Generatione. In the Country (saith he) where women accustom themselves to labour, they are brought a-bed more easily, and with less pain. In brief, where women exercise themselves, 
Women that labour are easily delivered.  they are sooner delivered, for their exercise consumes the excrements, which idle and slothful women gather and heap together.  
In the first four months she must likewise abandon Venus for fear of shaking the child, 
Venus' forbidden.  and bringing down her courses, which must also be observed in the sixth and eight month, but in the seventh and ninth she may boldly use it, especially toward the end of the ninth month, which some are of opinion will help and hasten the delivery.  
Aristotle is of this opinion, (though herein he contradicts the authority of Hypocrates, 
Aristotle's opinion. ) The woman with child (saith he) ought not to have the company of her husband. But Aristotle and Hypocrates may easily be reconciled; the Philosopher meaneth, that they should not embrace their wives all the time of their being with child, but only toward the time of their lying in, thereby to shake the child, and make him come the more readily forth; for coming into the world after this act, he is commonly enwrapped and compassed with slime, which helpeth his coming forth.  

Her belly must be soluble.  It is also requisite that her belly be loose, not retaining her excrements, and that she have (if it be possible) every day the benefit of Nature, which if it be not done naturally, it must be helped, taking every morning some broth of Damaske-Prunes; Also Apples stewed with Sugar, and a little Butter, is very fit and good. She may use Broth wherein Borage, bugloss, Purslane, lettuce, Patience, and a little of the herb Mercury hath been boiled. She may likewise take Suppositaries so they be not too sharp. 
Clysters.  Clysters made of a Calues-head, or of a Sheepshead, boiled with Annisseed, and Fennil-seed, wherein some course Sugar, and oil of Violets is dissolved, are very convenient, using them nevertheless with discretion, leaving out all manner of ingredients which might cause a flux of the belly, 
Lib. 5. Aph. 34. Mulieri gravidae si aluus prosusior sit, abortionis periculum imminet. Lib. 5. Aph. 21.  for fear of Abortment, or being delivered before their time, as Hypocrates saith.  
Notwithstanding the same Hypocrates is of opinion, that women with child in cases of necessity may be purged from the fourth to the seventh month, 
A Woman with Child may be purged.  but before and after those times he admits it not, nay, he forbids it directly; which for all that the Physicians of our time observe not in cases of danger, because the Medicines we use in these days, as Rhubarb, Manna, Cassia, and Tamarinds, are not so violent as those that were used by our Ancients, which were Hellebor, Scammony, Turbith, Coloquintida, or the like: and we must take especial care of giving them any opening things which may either provoke urine, 
Opening medicines must be avoided. Lib. 5. Aph. 60.  or their natural courses; for as the same Author saith, It is impossible for the child to be healthful if the mother have her natural sickness.  
Blood-letting is forbid them, unless it be very needful, especially if the child be grown any thing big, because he hath more need of food and nourishment, then at the beginning when he was little: for take away his sustenance, and he will wax lean and feeble, being oftentimes driven for want thereof to seek a passage forth. Notwithstanding there are some women so sanguine and full of blood that we are forced to take some of it away, lest the child be stifled with the overgreat quantity thereof, or when they fall into diseases where it is necessary to open a vein. 
Considerations concerning Blood-letting.  The fittest time (if it be not in case of necessity) is from the fourth, to the seventh month. I have seen a woman with child who for a Pleurisy was let blood eleven several times, and yet stayed her full term, and was well delivered.  

Passions of the mind.  Now concerning the passions of the mind, a woman with child must be pleasant and merry, shunning all melancholic and troublesome things that may vex or molest her mind: for as Aristotle saith, A woman with child must have a settled and quiet mind, which Avicen also counseleth, that those which have conceived, aught to be preserved from all fear, sadness, and disquietness of mind, without speaking or doing any thing that may offend or vex them; 
An observation. For great bellied women.  so that discreet women, and such as desire to have children, will not give ear unto lamentable and fearful tales or stories, nor cast their eyes upon pictures or persons which are ugly or deformed, lest the imagination imprint on the child the similitude of the said person or picture, which doing, women shall be sure to be well and happily delivered, and that (With the help of God) they shall bear their burden to the full term, which shall be sent into the world without much pain, promising them a happy and speedy delivery. To conclude, they must leave off their Busks as soon as they perceive themselves with child, not lacing themselves too strait, or crushing themselves together, 
She must take need of lacing herself too hard.  for fear lest the child be misshaped and crooked, or have not his natural growth: and their garments must be rather light and thin, then heavy and cumbersome.   

How a woman must govern herself the nine months she goeth with child. CHAP. VI  
NOw I have prescribed what manner of life a woman ought to lead, while she is with child: she may observe (if it please her) this that followeth, though not so necessary, yet commodious and profitable both for the maintaining of her health, and preservation of her beauty. To the end than that her breasts after her delivery, be neither too big and puffed up, 
To preserve the breasts.  nor yet hanging down like bags, and to prevent the danger that might happen unto her, by the too great quantity of blood, that is turned into milk, (which may be curdled, and so suppurate, and putrefy.) As soon therefore as she knows herself to be with child, (as in the second or third month) let her wear a chain of gold about her neck. Some prefer a chain of steel, or else a little gad of steel put between the two breasts, as likewise to put a piece of cork there, and to wear under her armpits two little pieces more of the same. This Fomentation also is very good.  
Take of Periwinkle, Sage, and ground-ivy, 
A Fomentation.  of each a handful, Hemlock half a small handful, boil them in wine and water, and when you have taken it from the fire put thereto a little rose-vinegar. And with this decoction warm, bathe your breasts in the morning with a cloth or sponge dipped therein, a quarter of an hour, wiping and drying them afterwards with reasonable warm clothes. The like may be done with the waters of the same herbs, 
What must be done, the 3. and 4. month.  and about the third or fourth month, when she feels herself quick, about which time her belly begins to swell and grow big, she must wear a Swath (made fit for the purpose) to support her belly, being first anointed with this Lineament or Pomade, which she shall continue till the ninth month, to keep her belly from being full of knotty and broken veins, furrowed and wrinkled, making it grow deformed, unseemly, and hanging down lower than is fit, which happeneth by reason of the great burden and weight of the child, that stretcheth and enlargeth the skin thereof, and causeth them to endure great pain in their belly and groin.  
The Pomade or Lineament approved. Take of Kid's suet, and the fat of a Sow, of each three ounces, of Capons and Goose-grease, of each an ounce and half, cut them small, and melt them in an earthen pot, putting thereto as much water as will suffice, then strain them through a cloth, and wash them in water till they wax very white, and have lost their savour. Afterward melt them again in a double vessel, adding thereto anounce of the marrow of a Hart, or Stag, then wash it again with Rose-water, or other sweet smelling water, mingling therewithal (if you think fit, or that it will not be hurtful to the womb) two or three grains of Musk or Civet.  
Some use this ointment: Take dogs grease, 
Another Lineament-  and the fat about a sheeps kidney, of each two ounces, Spermaceti one ounce, oil of sweet Almonds an ounce and a half, the fats must be melted, prepared, and washed as before, then melted again with the rest, and washed with rose or sweet water.  
Some take good store of Sheepes-feets well bruised and broken in pieces, to the number of thirty or forty, and boil them well in water, then taking off the fat, and marrow that swimmeth on the top, which they wash well in common water, and take thereof two ounces, of Ducks-grease as much, 
Another.  Spermaceti one ounce, white Wax six drams, melt them altogether in a double vessel, and wash them in the above named waters.  
Some Ladies and Gentlewomen which love not to rub their bellies every morning with any of these lineaments, wear thereon a Dogskin, or some other well prepared and dressed, as followeth; and change it every fifteen days, or according as it will last and continue, not taking it off, except it shrivel and grow wrinkled.  
Take a Dogskin, or some other skin ready dressed to make gloves of, wash it often in common water, afterward in Rose-water, and dry it in the shade, and being thus dressed and dried, lay it in soak in these oils and fats following:  
Take of Mesues' ointment of Roses an ounce and half, oil of Saint john's wort, 
The manner to prepare it.  and of sweet Alamonds, of each an ounce, fresh Butter, and Spermaceti, of each half an ounce, melt all these together in a double vessel, and let the skin lie and soak in it, three or four days, moving & stirring them together daily: then take it forth, and spread, it in the air, and let it lie there two or three days till it have soaked in all the oil, & become dry: then cut it to the form & bigness of the belly, and so apply it.  
The dainty and curious may use the former lineaments and skin: they that have not the means to do either, 
Another easy to be provided.  let them; Take of fresh Butter well washed in common water, and then in Rose-water, three ounces, oil of sweet Almonds, one ounce, Spermaceti, half an ounce: and with these melted together, rub their belly.  

Observation.  These Ointments must be kept in a galley pot, and covered with Rose water to keep them from being musty.  

Government of the ninth month.  When the Woman is come to the ninth month, having been in good health all the time of her going with child: she must continue the use of the aforesaid Ointments, and must begin to use more exercise than she did before, walking gently before meals the first twelve or fifteen days: and then afterward it will be good to use stronger exercise.  
It will be very profitable for her (especially after the ten or twelve first days of the ninth month be passed) to sit in the decoction following, after the manner of a half Bath, some quarter, or half an hour in the morning, and then being well dried, and laid to bed, let her be anointed behind, all along the lower part of her back, and before, from the Navel downward; and chiefly upon Os Pubis, and the groin, with the ointment following.  
Take of Mallows Althaea, with their roots, 
The Bath.  Motherwort, of each two handful, white Lily roots, three ounces, Chamomill, and Melilot flowers, of each a good handful, linseed, Quince-seed, and Foenigreeke, of each an ounce: Boil them all in sufficient quantity of running water, for the Bath.  
Take of Hensfat, three ounces, Ducks fat, 
The Ointment.  an ounce and a half, fresh Butter, two ounces, Linseed oil, an ounce and a half: Melt them all together, then wash them very well in parietary, and Mugwort water, adding thereto two ounces of the Muccilage of Althaea Roots. In which space, let her take this drink every morning fasting. 
A Drink.  Take of Oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn without fire, an ounce, white Wine, half an ounce, parietary water, one ounce, mingle them together. Some have found good by taking the yelke of an Egg, and drinking a draft of Hippocras after it.  
Others take a little Wine and water, wherein linseed hath been steeped.  
Let this or the like order and government be observed, for a Woman that is of a good habit of body, and who in her going with Child, hath not been subject to any sickness, or accident of moment: bearing her Children well, & without much pain.  
But because there be many, which are troubled with divers accidents, which happen in their childbearing, I thought good here, to treat thereof briefly, before I speak of their Delivery.   

Of many infirmities, which trouble Women while they are great with Child. CHAP. VII.  

A Woman must have a care of her Beauty.  IT becomes a Woman well at all times, and chiefly in her childbearing, and after her Delivery, to have a care, as much as she can possibly, of the preservation of her Beauty: since there is nothing that sooner decay and spoileth it, than the often bearing of Children. 
Health must be preferred.  But as Health is more precious, and recommendable than Beauty: and seeing that a woman with Child may be troubled and oppressed with many accidents, and infirmities, during the nine Months she bears her child: it will be therefore very necessary and profitable to seek out the means to free and deliver them thereof: For in losing the Mother, the life of the Child is also hazarded. 
Aristotle.  Aristotle in his book De generatione Animalium, is of opinion, That bruit beasts going with young, are not subject to any diseases: and chose, that Women are very often sick. Hypocrates saith, 
Hypocrates.  That they be pale and wan, to show that they are subject to many infirmities. In times past when men and women were sold like slaves, if there were any found that were with child, she was not warranted for whole and sound by him that fold her, 
vitrvuius.  as vitrvuius writes in his second book; because they were troubled and subject to so many diseases. In the first three or four Months such infirmities chiefly happen for many causes. First, 
Why women with Child are sick.  because they live (as Aristotle saith) for the most part in idleness, and eat ill meats; which are turned into excrements, and breed many obstructions, the fountain and beginning of all diseases: the second is, the great suppression and stopping of blood, whereof they were wont to be purged every month, before their being with Child; which runs to the Matrice to be voided, & find that accustomed passage; which it had wont to have: but being not able to get forth, and much less to be spent and digested, by the Child (which is as yet but little) it returns back into the veins, & chiefly those which are near the stomach: and through the long continuance, is there corrupted, and changed, to be of a bad quality, whereof proceeds this depraved and disordinate appetite, which the Latins call Pica, or Malacia: Loathing of meat, Hicket, Vomiting, 
divers diseases of women.  Pains of the stomach, Flanks, and Belly, Ache of the back, Hips, and Groin, difficulty of making water, Panting, and beating of the heart, with Sounning, the Cough, binding and Flux of the belly, swelling of the Thighs, and Feet, and sometimes Abortment, not being able to bear their Children the full time: together with many other accidents; whereof we will speak hereafter, beginning with the Pica, which troubleth them oftenest, and longest.   

Of the disordinate longing called Pica. CHAP. VIII.  
We commonly say the appetite is depraved, when beyond measure we covet to eat and drink too much (in respect of what hunger naturally requireth:) Or when we desire, or long after meats, which are unusual, and offend in quality, and are not dressed and prepared as they ought.  
Of this depraved Appetite there be divers sorts. The first is called Boulimos of the Greeks, 
Boulimos.  and of the Latins, Fames vaccina, & appetentia immodica. When they eat more than is requisite, not being able to satisfy themselves. And if hunger urge them farther, and grow greater, than it is called of the Latins Appetitus caninus, 
Canina appetentia.  or Fames insatiabilis, and the party eats, till he be full, even to the throat, that he is constrained to vomit, his stomach being so overcharged. But then presently he is driven to eat again, and then to vomit: from whence the Proverb is taken; He is returned like a Dog, to his vomit. The like happeneth for drinking, as for eating, which the Latins call Sitis immodica, 
Sitis immodica.  which is so great, that the tongue cleaves to the roof of the mouth, not being able to eat or speak except the mouth be first moistened, and the tongue wetted. This accident is very hard, yea, even unsupportable to endure, the sick party taking no other delight but in drinking, and that often, and in great draughts. Men are more subject to this drought than women: chose, Women, and chiefly those with child, & such as have not their Courses, or Wenches that are subject to the Green sickness, are more troubled with this depraved or immoderate appetite, called Malacia, or Pica; having this name given it, 
From whence it is called Pica.  either because Pies are troubled with this disease, or else for that their feathers be of divers colours, black and white, according to the variety of things, which Women long after. This sickness happeneth when they desire to eat or drink things, that are wholly contrary to Nature, as eating of raw or burnt flesh, yea, even to long after Man's flesh, Ashes, Coals, old Shoes, Chalk, Wax, Nutshells, Mortar, and Lime: 
Story of Fernelius.  as Fernelius witnesseth of a man, who being a long time desirous to eat vnslaked lime, at last devoured thereof the bigness of ones fist; which helped him, without doing him any harm, either in the stomach, or guts. Notwithstanding, not long since, the daughter of M. Forges died, with eating the plastering of walls.  
Sometimes custom, which is a second Nature, makes us covet to eat such contrary things, as we desire, and the rather because we have commonly eaten thereof in our youth: There is found the contrary hereof in some, who abhor and loathe good meats, which is imputed to the idiosyncrasy or particular constitution of the person. Others have observed, that there are such malignant humours sometimes bred in us, that they are turned into poison, and make both these depraved appetites. As it is seen by poisons taken inwardly, and applied outwardly, which make the like effect. The biting of the serpent Dipsas doth testify the same, which breedeth an intolerable and unquenchable thirst in him that hath been wounded by it.  
Now therefore, leaving all these kinds of vitiated and depraved Appetites, we will only speak of that wherewith great-bellied Women are troubled, which is called Pica.  

divers causes of Pica.  Some impute the cause of this sickness to certain Crudities, and ill humours, which are contained in the whole habit of the body, and imparted to the mouth, or orifice of the stomach. But the soundest opinion is, that the sides and tunicles of the stomach, and orifice thereof, are infected, and stuffed with divers excrements, and ill humours; and according to the quality they have, the Woman with child, 
Wherefore they desire divers things.  longeth after the like: As if Melancholy abound, not burnt or adust; she longeth after sharp things, as Vinegar, Citrons, and Oranges: if the Melancholy be adust, she desireth Coals, Ashes, and Plastering: if the humour be salt, she coveteth salt meats, and so of the rest. And surely it often happens, that they long for the like things as are in their stomachs. This malign and bad humour, is engendered (as we have said) through the retention of the natural Courses in women with Child, which flow back into the stomach. In some it beginneth the first weeks, yea, 
The beginning of the Pica.  the very first day; in others the thirtieth or fortieth day, and continues even till the fourth month, and then ceaseth: which cometh so to pass, because the Child is grown bigger, and having need of more Nourishment, draw's to him a greater quantity of blood; the which he consumes: and so by consequent, it returns back no more into the stomach. Besides also, this humour hath been much spent and voided, by the often vomitings which Women have during the first months. And also because the Child's hair is bred, and grown great, 
The breeding of the hair causeth the Pica.  which some hold to be partly a cause of this sickness. Pliny writes, That women with Child, feel themselves worse, when their Child's hair begins to come, and chiefly about the new of the Moon.  
Now that we may preserve them from this infirmity, or at least diminish it as much as may be: she must chiefly use meats that breed good juice; 
Their diet in Pica.  and that in little quantity, increasing it nevertheless as her bigness augmenteth, and the child groweth: which at length waxing stronger and greater, will consume part of this great quantity of blood, and the rest may be put into the membranes which wrap and enfold the child, and to the mass of blood which is called the afterburthen, which is as it were the liver of the Matrice.  
Now concerning their meat and drink: Considering that they that are sick of this disease, and so infinitely distasted, that often times they do even loath and abhor good meats: therefore we must set an edge (as it were) on their appetite, 
Meats fit for those that have the Pica.  varying their meats in as many fashions as may be possible, thereby to make them the more pleasing and desirable.  
Olives and Capers, as likewise salads a little parboiled, are very good for them.  
All meats that are either too fat, or too sweet, be nought, because they stir up a desire of vomiting.  
For their sauces: they may use Verivice, Orringes, Citrons, Pomegranates, and good Rose vinegar, all very moderately taken.  

Avicen.  Avicen commendeth toasted cheese, and Amylum dried: 
Aetius.  which Aetius and Oribasius do allow, and especially to those that desire to eat earth, 
Oribasius.  and plastering of walls, 
Aegineta.  or the like. Paulus Aegineta allows them the use of mustard, pepper, and cloves to make sauce thereof, for the stirring up of their appetite, and to help to digest the crudities contained within the stomach: after meals she may eat baked quinces, and roasted filberts. For her drink, she must use good claret wine, well allayed: but if she long for white, you may give her leave to drink some, so that it have a little astriction.  

Much drinking is nought in the Pica.  True it is, that the over great quantity of drink is hurtful for her, by reason of the great washing which it might make in her stomach: she may take every morning a draft of Wormewood-wine, or a little strong Hydromel, with a tossed of bread. The use of these Lozenges is much commended.  
Lozenges.  ℞ Amyl: puriss. sic: ʒ j Caryoph: Nucis mosch: ana ℈ s Spec: diarhod: abbot: ℈ i. Sacchar: in aq: Rosar: & Absynth: dissolute: ℥ ij fiant tabellae ponder is ʒ i. Capiat unam singulis auroris & superbibat tantillum vini. 
The Ancients, as Paulus and Oribasius, exceedingly commend the decoction of Polypody, and Annisseed, with sugar of Roses. They may use gentle fomentations to their stomachs, made of Wormwood, Balaustia, Cumin, Cytisus, and Fennill-seed wherewith likewise may be made Cataplasms for the same use. For these medicines will comfort and strengthen the concoctive faculty of the stomach, the better to digest the meat; the retentive, to retain and keep that it hath received; the expulsive, to thrust that forth which troubleth the stomach; and the appetite, to covet and long for meat.  
This ointment is also very fit and profitable.  
Lineament. ℞ Ol. Nardin. Cyd●nior. ana ℥ s. Pul. Caryoph. Maslich. an ℈ i. Croci gr. iij. Cerae parum. fiat litus pro stomacho, praemisso fotu.  
As also this that followeth.  

Another.  ℞ Ol. Mastich. Cydonior. an ℥ i. ol. Nardin. ℥ s Coral. rub. Caryophyl. Menth. Calam. aromat. nucis Mosch. an ℥ s. Cerae q. s. ad formam Cerati.  

A Cataplasm.  ℞ Cortic. Citri ℥ i. fol. Meliss. Absynth. ana M. ij. Coquantur in aq. come. pistentur & passentur, addendo olei Nard. & Mastih. an ℥ i. fiat Cataplasma.  
They may use Galens Cerote for the stomach, or that of Aecius, made with Quinces, Saffron, and a little oil of Spicknard.  
Concerning general purgations, which may evacuate downward part of this superfluity, they must not be administered when a woman is young with child, 
Discretion in purging.  but with very great care, and good advice, not using any strong purgers. But if there be need, and that the disease ceaseth not by light medicines, then may be given a little infusion of Rhubarb, and a gentle decoction of Seine, taking the advice of the learned Physician. And therefore we must only have a regard to their vomiting, which at these times doth commonly molest and trouble them: taking heed of staying it, except it be immoderate (as Avicen saith) or too violent. 
Auicens' precept.  For otherways it helpeth to cure this disease, evacuating part of those ill humours whereby it is nourished and increased. And if we perceive she hath a desire to vomit, and that the expulsive faculty be not strong enough to help it, let her take a little Hydromell warm; and if the matter in the stomach be tough and clammy, add thereto a little vinegar, the better to attenuate, and cut it. I have been the longer in this Chapter, because it is an accident that doth much annoy women with child: thereby the better to instruct the young Chirurgeon, when there is no Physician near at hand.   

Of distastefulness and Hicket. CHAP. IX.  
MOst women, as soon as they are with child, be so distasted, and do so loath and abhor meat, that they cannot endure either to eat, see, or smell it, yea, and some are sick even with the very hearing of it named: which makes them go often times two or three days without any desire to eat. This disease happeneth upon the same reason we gave before of the depraved appetite, 
The Cause.  because the stomach is filled and stuffed with divers excrements (that oloy a great bellied woman) which by little and little are there gathered together, by the flowing back of the courses that be stopped (which cannot be put forth, much less consumed by the little one) and so come into the stomach, and fill it.  
But when these corrupted, 
The Hicket.  and ill humours abide longer in the stomach, there happens another accident, commonly called the Hicket, or Yeaxing, which is a violent and convulsive motion of the stomach, which seemeth to discharge itself of those bad humours, which are contained in the capacity and membranes thereof: and offend either in quantity, or quality, or both together. 
Discommodity of the Hicket.  From hence comes it that the stomach willing to put them forth, casts up with all the meat and food, the woman hath taken: to the prejudice of herself, which cannot keep any thing for her own sustenance) and of the Child, who cannot find sufficient blood to nourish him: which at length makes them both weak, and causeth the Mother either to be delivered before her time; or else to breed a faint and feeble Child, and oftentimes one that will be sickly all his life time.  

Cure.  For the remedying of this queasiness, we must have recourse to those medicines, written in the Chapter of depraved Appetite; Both for the diet and remedies. And touching the Hicket, when it comes through emptiness, or want of eating; then the woman must nourish herself, taking often good meat, and in small quantity, as yolks of eggs, cullis, veal, broth, hens, and chicken: and let her belly be anointed with oil of sweet Almonds, and Violets. If the cause proceed of any sharp or biting humour, it must be drawn and purged downward gently, as we have said already: or else by vomit, 
Straining bad for women with child.  without much straining Cow milk, and the milk of an Ass are very much commended; as also the use of syrups of Violets, and Nenuphar are very profitable.  
The Hicket may also come of some inflammation, that is in the Spleen, Liver, or other bowels near the stomach, and so is impart to it: this happening, it will be very necessary to let her blood: and that she use meats which moderately cool, as also medicines of the same nature both inwardly and outwardly: consulting thereof with the Physicians.   

Of the Vomiting which happens to Women with Child. CHAP. X.  
THere be some women, who as soon as they be with child, yea, the very first days, are subject to Vomit: 
Women with child Vomit often.  casting up store of water and slime by the mouth: and this vomiting continueth even till they are quick with child: and with some it remaineth all the time of their going: which I saw happen unto a great Lady of this kingdom; who from the second day after she had conceived, vomited; and affirmed constantly that she was with child.  
When this Vomiting happeneth, 
Vomiting must not be stopped on the sudden.  it must not be stayed suddenly, if so be it continue gently, and without violence: for being stopped, there is such store of humours heaped and gathered together in their stomachs, that they are ready to be stifled, or stuffed up; which being by little and little cast up without violence, they are much eased: for by this evacuation of noisome excrements, the first region of the belly feels itself free, discharged, and unburdened of many long and grievous pains. 
Cause.  The cause of this accident proceeds commonly of the abundance of humours gathered together in the stomach: or else of some sharp, and biting humour, that doth stir and provoke it, and chiefly the upper orifice thereof: aswell, by reason of the ill meats they eat, and that in great quantity, as also because they fill themselves too much with good meat, which doth putrefy and corrupt, (the natural heat being weak) and requires rather to be cast forth, 
Accidents of Vomiting.  then kept in the body. But it happeneth oftentimes, that this Vomiting is so violent, that even the meat and sustenance which the Mother taketh, to nourish herself and the child is cast up, and then it must be remedied.  
Likewise, if this accident come from some weakness of the stomach, or by the default of the retentive faculty, which is not able to retain and keep the meat, although it were of good juice, and in final quantity: or by some malign vapour, which ariseth from the womb, by reason of the seed and natural courses retained; they maybe helped by these means following.  
First, if the great quantity of meats whether good or bad, which the woman hath taken, be the cause: then let her abstain from eating them: observing the above mentioned Diet, using good meats, and in little quantity; thereby to roll it forth. If the overmuch quantity, or ill quality of sharp and biting excrements, be the cause, then must they be gently taken away and purged: Notwithstanding, we must refrain from giving them any purgations with Diagredium, or Coloquint: and also from such as do much soften and moisten, as Cassia, Electuar. Lenitiwm, and the like: because through their moisture, they relax the stomach, and so consequently, all the means, which have correspondence and traffic with the Matrice: for the similitude of their nervous substance.  
Their purges therefore must be of Rubart infusion, and also in substance, of the compound syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb; which beside that they evacuate, do likewise coroborate and strengthen: as also of the Syrup of Damask Roses, Ma●na, and other which with drawing away the water, do dry withal. But above all pills are very fit for them, because they dry; both for their form, and also for the drying ingredients whereof they are compounded: as those of Rhubarb and Seine, made with a little conserve of roses, 
A good precept.  adding thereto (if there be any suspicion of some malign or bad quality) a little of the confection of Hyacinthus. This rule must be observed in the purging of women with child, and hereof must be had the counsel of the learned Physician.  
If some malign vapour be the cause; they must use cordials, as, a little confection of Hyacinthe, the electuary of Gemmis, these cordial Lozenges, or the like.  
Cordial Lorenges. ℞. Corali utriusque. ʒ s. lapid. bezoard. & rasura unic. an ℈ s. pulu. electuar. diarrh. abbot. ℈ i. confect. de Hiacintho, ʒ s. saccar. cum. aqua card. bened. dissol. ℥ ij. fiant tabellae ponder. ʒ i capiat singulis dicbus unam mane, alteram à prandio, long à pastu.  
While they shall use the aforesaid remedies, it will be very necessary to comfort the stomach: as also if the vomiting proceed through some weakness, the stomach not being able to retain, and hold the meat, the forementioned Lozenges are very good, as also Lozenges of Diarrhodon, if they should prove distasteful, let them use Codigniack, or some Citron pill condited. They may likewise take some digestive powder after meals.  
Let there be provided some such fomentation for their stomach, as this.  
Fomentation. ℞. Mentae, Ab sinthij, rosar. rub. an. m. s ballast. ʒ ij. gariophilor. & santalor. an. ʒ s. carnis cidoniorum ℥ i. corticis citri. ʒ i fiat decoct. in vino austero profotu.  
Then let them have this ointment: 
Lineament. ℞. Olei mastic. & cidonior. an. ℥ s. olei de absinthio ʒ ij. pulueris coralli rub. & gariophil. an. ℈ i. croci parum fiat litus, admoveatur praemisso fotu.   
This Emplaster is very fit: which must be applied after the ointment, 
Emplaster.  and remain there a good space.  ℞. crustae panis assati ℥ iiij. macerent. in vino rubro & succo cidonior. pull. rosar. rub. & absinthij an ʒ i. ligni aloes & gariophilor. an. ʒ s. pull. coralli rubri. ℈ iiij. olei de absinthio. ℥ i. fiat cataplasma. 
If all these forenamed medicines help not the patient, Master Mercator doth set down a remedy very easy to be practised, and of incredible virtue (as he saith,) which cannot bring (having often tried it) any danger: 
An approved medicine.  nor cause the woman to be delivered out of her time: which is to let her blood in the Saluatella of the right hand.   

CHAP. X. Of the pain of the sto acke, stancks, and belly, which happens to a woman with child.  
THere is great store of gross winds bred, not only in the stomach, and guts, but also about the Liver, Spleen, Mesenterium, and Navel, 
Causes of wind.  by means of a weak and feeble heat, which is not able wholly to consume, and scatter them: from whence proceedeth a great distension of the belly, and other parts near and chiefly about the Navel: which in some oftentimes stands out, and is as big, as a goose egg. The which winds being thus enclosed, and not having free passage, cause such intolerable pain, that even the breathing is thereby hindered, and the pulse almost lost, which at length might cause the woman to be delivered.  
Sometime also the wind is shut up within the womb for I have known some women, 
Wind enclosed in the womb.  that have voided them with such a sound, & noise, as though it had been, by the fondament, and this must be remedied after this sort.  
First she must shun all manner of moist, 
Diet.  and windy meats, & live after the order before prescribed. If it be needful to purge her; let it be done, as is already set down. Then let there be applied some dry fomentations to the place affected, as this.  
Quilt ℞. flor. camo. & anethi an. m. ij. rosar. rub. p. ij. se. minis annisi & foenicul. an. ʒ ij. baccar. lauri ʒ i fiat omnium pulvis grossus de quibus fi aut sacculi duo irrorati cum. vino rub. & tepide admoveantur parti affectae.  
The same quilts may be boiled in wine, and fomitations made of the said wine with soft sponges. But you must observe, that the too long use of moist fomentations, oils, and fats is forbidden women with child, for fear least by too much moisture, and oiliness, the ligaments and vessels of the matrice be made too loose and soft: which at length may cause the woman to abort. Apply unto her belly and to me parts pained, in form of a Poultice this that followeth.  
Poultice. ℞. Vitell. ovorum n. iiij. pulvis anisi. & foeniculi dulcis an. ʒ s. pull. absinthii. ʒ s. cum oleo anethino & camomile. q. s. fiat fricatum.  
Let them chaw Fennil, or Aniseed, or a little Cinnamon: and take a tossed dipped in Hippocras, Some have told me, that the distilled water of Citron Pills, drunk, is very singular good. And it will not be amiss, sometimes to take a spoonful, or two of this water.  
A Claret water ℞. Aquae vitae ℥ s. cinamo. ʒ i macerent. spatio xiv. hor. deinde affunde aque rosar. ℥ iii saccari candi ℥ s. fiat aqua clareta, capiat coclear unum.  
If ye perceive that she is much troubled with pain you may give her a Clyster: as this.  
A Glister. ℞. Folior. maluae, matrica. an. m. i. flor. camom. meliloti, et summitat aneti an. M. ss. seminis anisi & foenic. an. ʒ iii bulliant in iure capit. veruec. vel vituli. de quo accipe quart. iij. in quibus dissolve Ol. Aneth. Chamamel. an. ℥ ij. Sachar. eub. ℥ i. s. Butyr. recent. ℥ i. Vitell. duor. ovor. fiat Clyster.  
Nevertheless, 
Admonishment  I am of opinion (if it may be done possibly) that they should abstain from Clysters: because I have seen women sometimes, through as small a Clyster as this, fall into great torments, yea, and even into throws; nature being thereto prepared and ready: which turned to the chirurgeons disgrace. Wherefore let her use these Lozenges following: 
Lozenges. ℞ sem. Anis. foenic. dulc. an. ʒ s. nucis Mosch. ℈ i. spec. Diacumin. Diarrhod. Abbot. ana. ℈ s. sacchar. in aq. Cinnamon. dissolute. ℥ ij. fiant tabulae, capiat unam singulis auroris.   
She may use Sugar of Roses, which to every ounce hath two or three drops of the oil of Annis seed added to it.   

Of the pains of the Back, Hips, and Groin, with difficulty of making water, that happens unto Women with child. CHAP. XII.  
THere be some Women, which bear their children high, and (as they say) within their stomach: so that they are nimbler, either in going, or stirring: without being let or hindered thereby at all. Others carry them very low, 
The divers situation of the child.  having their belly standing very much out, which brings them much inconvenience: as pain of the Hips, and Groin, and then they complain, as if those parts, and their belly were rend and torn in pieces. chose, there be others, that hide their child, within their rains, and bear it very backward; which causeth them to have exceeding great pain in their backs. In the two latter cases, we had need to help them: for as Hypocrates saith; 
Hipp.  When women with child are troubled with great pain in their back, and legs; then are they in danger to be delivered before their time. The like may be also said, of them that have much pain in their belly and groin.  

cause of these pains.  These pains commonly, do rather proceed from the heaviness of the child, then of any quantity of humours, which abound in the body. For at that time, the womb being great, thick, and full, by reason of the child which is big, and large, and of the bed, or afterburthen, and oftentimes filled with great store of water; on which side soever the womb resteth, it draws the ligaments and bonds with it, that hold and fasten it to the foresaid parts: and by the force of this dilation, and stretching, doth cause and provoke pains in the back, hips, and groin: aswell by reason they are tied thereto; as likewise for the continuity of those neighbouring parts, 
The Cure.  which touch them. For the remedying whereof, the woman must keep herself still, and quiet, without much stirring, or shaking: she must eat little, and often, and of meats that be light, and easy of digestion: for the stomach being full, doth press the body of the Matrice, and thrusts it downward. Therefore she must were Swaths, which may help to support, and keep up her belly: that by such a rest and swathing, the ligaments, which are lengthened, and stretched, may be somewhat brought back to their proper places: which must be confirmed and strengthened by these means.  
All the bottom of her back, and rains must be anointed with unguentum Comitissae, or else this ointment.  
Ointment. ℞ Ol. Mastich. Cidonior. an. ℥ i. ol. Mirtill. ℥ ss. Coral. rub. terrae Sigillat. an. ʒ s. Unguent. Comitiss. ℥ s. liquefiant omnia ut artis est, & fiat linimentum.  
If the woman with child feel any coldness (as it happens to some, by reason of their cold temperature) which makes them shiver, and quake: let there be added to the former ointment, Ol. Costin. & Aneth. an. ℥ ss.  
But if she find any heat there, or burning, then apply some ointment, that hath virtue to comfort, and cool.  
Another ointment. ℞ Ol. Mirtill. Rosar. an. ℥ i. ss. ung. Rosat. Mes. ℥ i. vng, Refriger. Galen. ℥ s. Puluer. Coral. rub. Bol. Armen. an. ʒ i. succi Aurant. ʒ ij. misce fiat linimentum.  
Likewise it may chance, 
A good observation.  through the weightiness of the womb, which resteth in the bottom, that the woman with child cannot make water; which happening, she herself, with both hands must lift up the bottom of her belly: by means whereof, she shall hinder the body of the womb, from pressing, and crushing the bladder, and especially the neck thereof, which is loaded and oppressed with the said womb. You may apply below, some bathing or fomentation, made with the leaves of Mallows, Althaea, Cresses, and parietary, with a little linseed, to make the passage more loose, soft, and easy to be enlarged, or widened.   

Of the panting, and beating of the Heart: As also of Swooning, which happen unto women with child. CHAP. XIII.  
AS there be divers winds and vapours, that are shut up, and enclosed in the neither belly of a woman with child, which procure great pains in her hips, back, and groin: for the reasons before rehearsed. 
cause of the trembling of the Heart.  So likewise are there the like vapours, that arise from the womb, and other parts near, which are enclosed in the Arteries, and by them are carried, and imparted to the heart, which cause a panting, and beating: and the heart feeling itself offended, and oppressed by the said vapours, endeavoureth by his motion, to expel and drive them away, 
The wisdom of Nature in all her works.  far from itself, (Nature having given to every part, some particular means, whereby to repel, and thrust back that, which doth annoy, or molest it. As the Brain by sneezing; the Lungs by coughing; and the stomach by vomiting. But because this accident is oftentimes the forerunner of a Syncope, or swooning, therefore will it be needful to have care thereof, it being easy to be known, both by the relation of the party, who finds her heart beat, as also by feeling the breast upon the region of the heart with ones hand, with which this motion lifteth up the ribs and the hand that is laid thereon, yea some women have such a beating, that it makes even the ribs stand out of their place. For remedy whereof, such vapours must be kept from seizing upon the heart, which may be done by well fensing of it, both within, and without.  
If then you perceive that the woman do abound with any ill humours, from whence these vapours may partly arise: she must be purged (as before,) and let blood, according as the accidents do require, and the ancients do appoint, which must be done in small quantity, and that, not all at once: but rather at mâny times by little and little. For according to Galen. 
How a woman with child must be let blood.  There is no remedy that more hinders, and altars the course of blood and noisome vapours, from piercing and assailing the heart, then letting of blood doth.  
Let her take every morning, one of these Lozenges, which are very proper 
Lozenges. ℞. puluer laetitiae Galeni & de gemmis. an ℈ i. pull. lapid. bezoard. & ossis de cord cerui. an. ℈ s. confect. de hyacintho ʒ s. sacchari cum aqua scordij dissoluti ℥ ij. fiant tabellae pond. ʒ ij. sumat unam singulis diebus mane & sero cubitura.   
In steed thereof she may use this opiate: 
Opiate. ℞. conseruae bugloss. & borag. an. ℥ s. conseruae radicis scorzonerae ʒ. vi. corti. citriconditi ʒ iij. ther. veter. ℈ i. pull. electuar. diamarg. frigidi ℈ s. fiat opiata capiat singulis diebus mane & sero ʒ i ut dictum est.   
The Claret water before described is very excellent good, some do use the water of Orringe flowers.  

The heart must be guarded.  The heart must be outwardly fortified with Quilts, Fomentations, Epithemes, & Cataplasms, applied to the region thereof; made with the aforenamed ingredient. Take for the Epitheme or fomentation, the waters of Borage, bugloss, Balm, & of Orange flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Roses and of Scordium, adding thereto Saunders, Angelica seed: Cordial flowers and the like.  

The womb desireth good smells.  And because that the heart and matrice, are delighted with pleasant odours, let those that are troubled with this disease use good smells; sweet, but neither strong nor piercing.   

CHAP. XIIII. Of the Cough.  
ONe of the most grievous, and almost insupportable accidents, that can happen to a woman with child, is the Cough: the which being violent, oftentimes causeth headache, pain of the sides, flanks and belly, 
Inconveniences of the cough.  vomiting, & watching, the woman not being able to sleep, or take any rest, for the great concussion and agitation which is made through the whole body, which oftentimes puts the woman in danger, to be delivered before her ordinary time.  
For the most part it proceedeth of some sharp and biting vapours, 
Cause.  which arise from the neither parts, or else by the distillation of some thin humour, that comes from the brain, and falleth trickling upon the Trachea Arteria, or wind pipe, & the lungs, which provokes them to cough, & yet bringing up little or nothing: the distillation may also be of some thicker humour which falleth down upon the said parts.  
Therefore we must have respect to the antecedent cause, 
Cure.  by hindering such vapours and humours from breeding, then staying those, which may flow or fall down: if there be any cause or matter joined with it, already fallen and impacted in the lungs & breast, then must it be brought up by spitting.  
For the helping hereof, 
Diet.  they must avoid all salt and spiced meats, as also those that are sharp, and biting especially if it be caused by some vapours or distillation of a thin or serous humour.  
Concerning general medicines: 
General medicines.  if it be accompanied with a fever, or some great heat, it will not be amiss to draw a little blood. then (the better to turn the course of the distillation): which causeth the cough to apply cupping glasses upon the shoulders, with some light scarification. And if the cough should be of so long continuance, 
Cautery.  I would counsel you to lay a cautery in the hollowness of the nape of the neck: which I have practised with good success, but it must not be done before you have tried the medicines following, and when the cough is great and violent.  

Frictions.  The rubbing of the arms, shoulders, and back must not be omitted, as also when the hair is shaven away to apply Emplasterum de Betonica, upon the head, to stay the Rheum.  
If the cough be dry, proceeding from some thin and sharp humour or vapour, it must be thickened, chose if the humour be tough and thick, it must be cut, and attenuated, by concocting both, and therefore in this case, the use of Medicines, that do dull, the sense thereof, are very profitable to mitigate violent Coughs: of which kind are these that follow. If the humour be thin and sharp this julep taken twice or thrice is very fit.  ℞. Syrup. rosarum sicar. & de iviubis an. ʒ vi. syrupi de nenuph. ℥ s. aquae cardui & ungulae cabalinae an. ℥. ij. s. fiat. julap. reiteretur ter quater-ue ut artis est. 
If the humour be slimy, thick, and tough she may use this julep.  
julep. ℞. Syrupi capill. veneris & de liquirit. an. ʒ. vi. oximelit. simplic. ℥ s. aquae betonicae, & ungul. cabal. an. 
Another.  ℥ ij. s. fiat julap. reiteretur ut supra.  
Let them often hold in their mouth sugar candy, especially that which gathers about the pot side, wherein sirop of Violets or the like hath been put. Let them use Trochiscks, juice of liquorice, and sometime chaw a piece of Lichorise in their mouth. The Lozenges of Diatragacanthum frigidum, Diairis simplex, and sugar of Roses, are very good. The use of Lohocs' is very distasteful, but in steed thereof, let them use Syrup of juiubes, of dried Roses, and a little diacodium mingled together, I have seen this medicine do much good, especially when the cough is great, and that they feel some excoriation, and roughness in the throat. 
A medicine to take away the roughness of the throat.   ℞. olei amigd. dull. sine igne recent. extract. ℥. i s. saccari canda subtilit. pulueris. ℥ s. mucag. seminis psilij &. cydoniorum cum aqua rosar. leviter extract. an ʒ ij. misce omnia diligenter. 
Let them take of this medicine in a spoon, swallowing it down very gently, that so some of it may the better slide down the sides of the windpipe.  
It will be very fit to rub their breast all over with fresh butter, or oil of sweet Almonds: and if they find any heat, let them use oil of Violets washed with Barley water well boiled. 
Sleeping stoppeth fluxes.   
And because there is nothing, that stayeth distillations, better than sleep: and that those who have the cough sleep little, it will be very good to make the patient sleep, without giving any violent sleeping medicine, this julep may be given very safely.  
Drink to stay the Rheum. ℞. Syrupi de juiubis, violati & diacodij sine specieb. an. ℥ s. cum decocto portulacae, lactucae, boraginis. betonicae & trium flor. cordial. fiat potus, capiat hora somni.  
This remedy procureth sleep, and so by consequence stayeth the Rheum. If you have any good Laudanum, you may give safely three or four grains thereof; which I have seen practised with prosperous success.   

CHAP. XV. of Costivenes, wherewith women with child are troubled.  
AMongst many other accidents wherewith women with child are troubled, there are two, the one contrary to the other whereunto they be much subject: that is, either they are bound, and cannot go to the stool but with much inconvenience, and very seldom: or else they are always loose and subject to the flux. 
Contrary accidents in women with child.  Both may put the woman in danger of miscarrying. For when she is bound, with much straining, and that violently to unburden nature, the ligaments may be loosened, or some vein opened: and cause flux of blood: which may make her fall into travail, and therefore it is fit to provide for it.  

cause of Costivenesse.  The retention of the excrements, and costiveness of the belly, may happen, either because they have used to be so naturally, or by alteration, and change of years, for as Hypocrates saith, they who have their belly moist in their youth, in their age will have it hard and dry, and so chose. This accident happens to others, because the guts are not provoked & stirred up by the clyster of nature (which is the gall,) that they may expel, and thrust forth their excrements. There might be alleged many more reasons, which at this time I will leave to speak of, and only frame myself to that which most commonly is the cause of it in women with child, which is referred to two points, 
Other causes of Costivenes  either because the guts are pressed by the unevennes of the womb, which is too full, and being placed upon them (and chiefly upon the great gut) crushes and thrusts them one against another, in such sort, that they have no means to enlarge and dilate themselves, thereby to voided the excrements contained within them. The other is because the guts, and the excrements within them, are commonly very hard, and dried in women with child, through the great heat, that is in the entrails, which makes them that they cannot easily flow. The sedentary life also, that women lead, is cause that their excrements are stayed, and gather themselves together, by little and little, and at the length stop up the passage. This accident brings unto them, flushing in the face, headache, beating of the Arteries; yea and oftentimes an Ague.  
For the curing of this disease a good order in diet is very needful: 
Cure.  using meats that do moisten, and keep the guts supple, and slippery, and withal soften the excrements: which must be done with very great discretion: for too much moisture may at length over much relax the ligaments of the the womb, and of the child, and thereby hasten the delivery.  
notwithstanding, a woman with child being too costive, may use tender meats, as Veal, wherewith they may make Broths, 
Broths to loosen the belly.  with Lettuce, Purcelane, Sorrell, Spinach, Beets, bugloss, Violet leaves, and sometime a little of the herb called Mercury. Let them use Prunes, and baked Apples. Some take two or three gulps of fresh water before their meals: but let them use gentle exercise to make their excrement follow the more freely. It is also very fit for a woman with child, in the morning when she riseth, and at night when she goeth to bed, to make proffer to unburden nature, without straining herself, but very gently. If for all this her belly will not be correspondent; it will not be amiss to give her Clysters.  
Clyster. ℞ Malu. Bismal. Parietar. Matric. an. m. ij. flor. Chamoem. Melilot. an. p. ij. sem. Anisi, Foenicul. an. ʒ ij. coquantur in iure pulli vel capit. veruec. aut vituli in colatur. ad quart. iij. dissolve Sacch. albi, olei violate. Butyr. recent. an. ℥ i. ss. vitell. ovor. numero ij. fiat Clyster. this may be given at twice.  
She may also take some broth wherein is put a spoonful or two of the water, or wine of Seny, which is made after this manner.  
Seny wine. Take half an ounce of Seny well cleansed, six cloves bruised, put them into a dish, and pour upon them half a pint of wine, or water ready to boil, and so let them soak all night, and in the morning take two or three spoonful, which must be put into your broth: keeping the rest, to serve you afterward, at your need.   

Of the Flux, or looseness of the Belly, which troubleth women with child. CHAP. XVI.  
THe lask, in what manner soever it be, doth put the woman in danger of coming before her time: and that for divers reasons. First, 
Flux of the belly dangerous.  because thereby the meat they take for their nourishment, is voided too soon, which should have stayed and been turned into blood, for the nourishing and sustaining both of the Mother, and the child. And therefore, they both remain weak, and feeble, which compelleth the child to come forth, and seek for food else where. For as the Proverb saith; 
Proverb.  Hunger makes the Wolf come forth of the wood. Beside, the Mother is so troubled with rising out of her bed, as also with much straining herself, (especially if it be the bloody flix) that the womb oftentimes is overturned, and relaxed: and causeth the child to be cast forth of his place, by reason of the moistness which runneth continually along the great gut, upon which the womb is placed.  
Women with great bellies are commonly subject thereto, because of the meats they eat, 
Women with child are subject to looseness of the belly.  which are of ill juice: whereby the stomach being weakened, and not able to concoct them, the expulsive faculty is compelled to thrust them downward, half concocted, and indigested: otherwise they are corrupted, and turned into some malign, sharp, and biting humours: as into fretting, choler rotten phlegm, or melancholy, which do corrode and stir up the bowels, and so cause the flux of the belly.  

The Cure.  Concerning the cure of it, many considerations must be had. And first, it will be very fit to know of what kind, the flux is, and what may be cause thereof. Now, all Fluxes of the belly must needs be one of these three; either diarrhea, Lienteria, or Dysenteria, which soever it be of these, if it proceed of a malign, and putrid humour, it must not be suddenly stopped by astringent medicines, lest it happen unto the woman with child, as it did unto Smyrnia, 
A wotrhy story.  (as Hippocrat. saith) who having a flux of the belly, suddenly stopped; was delivered in the the fourth month.  

How to proceed therein.  Now to know what kind of flux it may be, the stools will show and testify. If it be not violent, it may be suffered to flow gently, and for a good while; not omitting in the mean time, the use of some Clysters, that may assuage the pain, if there be any. But if it continue, & that it be bred of some sharp and biting humours which knaw the guts, and provoke the expulsive faculty; (of which kind are fretting and biting choler, or salt phlegm) and that the Mother seem to grow weak and faint: then must it be remedied with as much speed and care as may be: otherwise the woman having divers pangs, and provocations, is in danger to be delivered. Wherefore the humour offending must be purged with Rhubarb, compound syrup of chicory, and the like, which have been already prescribed in the former Chapters: as also the like humours hindered from breeding. 
Her Diet.  And therefore she must abstain from all unwholesome meats, especially if the cause thereof proceed from thence. Besides, the said humours must be allayed and made more gentle, that they may not any more provoke or stir up the expulssive virtue: the which may be easily done by a good diet, which shall breed as little choler, or other bad humours, as may be: using broths made with Purcelance, Sorrell, bugloss, and the cold seeds, adding thereto a little Rise, or French Barley. The use of new laid Eggs is much commended, which must be poch in water: Her meat must be rather roast, then boiled: All spices are to be eschewed. Let her drink be red Wine, or steeled water, wherein a piece of bread hath been soaked.  
This drink is very fit, and pleasant.  
Take of French Barley, dried in a pan, a handful, 
A Drink.  Fennill-seed, Coriander-seed, and Licorise of each, two drams, boil them in a quart of water, adding thereto an ounce of Berberis, or two ounces of the juice of pomegranates. A little before meals let her eat a slice of Marmilade.  
And seeing there often happens pain and gripings together with pangs and throws, because the guts are moved and provoked: therefore they must be washed, and the pain mitigated with this Clyster.  
Clyster. ℞. Hord. integ. m.i. cham●mel. melilot. an m.s. Plantag. Borag. Buglos. an. m.i. Bulliant in iure cap●t. veruec. aut vituli de quo cape quart. iij. in quibus dissolve ol. violar. ℥ iij. vitell. duor. ovor. sachar. rub. ℥ is. fiat clyster.  
But if the woman be further molested with gripings and that she have great, and often provocations: then this Clyster will be very fit for her.  
Another Clyster. ℞. Plantag. Bars. Pastor. Portulac. an. m.j. flor. Chamoemel. melilot. hord. integ. an. p. 1. sem. anisi ℥ s. Bulliant in iure pulli gallinacei. de quo accipe qu. iij. sevi caprill. ℥ i. s. olei omphac. ℥ iij. victual unius oui cum album. sacchar. rub. ℥ i. misceantur & fiat clyster.  
Clysters that are made only with oil of Violets and the broth of a sheeps, or calves head be singular good.  
If the disease do increase and the pains grow more violent, than we must proceed even to stupefying or Narcoticke medicines, as Laudanum, or Pilulae de Cynoglossa, which may be given either by the mouth or in a Clyster wherein the physicians counsel must be asked.  
I have seen given with good success one or two drams of new Triakle dissolved in a clyster.  
It will be very fit to anoint the bottom of her belly, and about the ossacrum with this ointment.  
Ointment. ℞. Ol. Rosar. Mirtil. an. ℥ i.s. olei Mastich. ℥ i. vitell. duor. ovor. croci ℈ s. misce omnia simul, & fiat litus pro pectine, & osse sacro.  
They may likewise use unguentum Rosatum Mesues.  
The pain still continuing, with pangs & throws let there be made for her this Suffumigation.  
Suffumigation. ℞. folior. matric. plantag. bursae. pastor. verbasci Arnoglossae an. m. i. rosar. rub. flor. cham. & melilot. balaustiorum. an. m.s. coquantur in aequis partibus vini austeri & aquae chalyb. & fiat insessio, & ibi per dimidiam horam se contineat.  
Then (she being well dried) anoint all the bottom of her belly, and about os sacrum, with this ointment.  
Lineament. ℞. sevi caprilli, & veruec. an. ℥ s. olei rosatis & mastic. an. ℥ ij. s. olei cydonior. ℥ i. liques. simul, addendo pull. rosar. rubr. verbasci & mirtill. an. ʒ s. pull. terrae sigillatae, & coralli rub. ʒ ji. ceraeq. s. fiat litus.   

Of the swelling of the legs and thighs which happeneth unto women with child. CHAP. XVII.  
IN those women which were wont to have great quantity of natural purgations, before they were with child; the blood after they have conceived, which was used to flow, being stopped and suppressed, and not being converted into nourishment by the Mother, 
cause of the swelling of the face.  and much less by the child; most commonly though it doth not breed the former accidents, yet is it altered, and converted into waterish humours: Moreover the liver through the abundance of blood, wherewith it doth overflow, breeds a serous or waterish blood: and being not able to digest it, it is thrust downward by the expulsive virtue of the upper parts, and at length rests itself upon the legs, feet, and thighs, the which makes them all swelled and oedematous. This swelling oftentimes doth continue both day and night, and sometimes it is so resolved in the night that in the morning it is scarce perceived at all but presently all the day, the tumour is renewed, & at the evening doth much appear: and then again, in the night it is resolved through rest, and the heat of the bed. Such as are much subject to the whites, before their being with child are commonly troubled with this infirmity, which was observed by Hypocrates in choleric people, and those that abound with serous, sharp, 
Who are not subject to the swelling.  and biting humours. Beside the said oedematous swelling, there happens an inflammation, which doth cause the skin to go off, and sometime breedeth filthy ulcers. But this must be remedied before these ulcers happen.  
These accidents continue commonly but the first four months, yet with some they stay till their lying in, and so soon as they are delivered, the swelling vanisheth of itself.  
If this disease do not much offend the woman with child, it shall not be needful to use many medicines, but it is sufficient that she keep a good diet, and chiefly if it resolve of itself in the night. But if she be much troubled therewithal, 
Advertisement concerning the cure.  let her use these remedies.  
Let the swollen parts be rubbed with this medicine.  
Lineament. ℞. Olei Rosat. Omphacin. ℥ iij. Aceti ℥ ss. salis ʒ ij. agitentur omnia simul, & fiat litus pro part affecta. And if there be any inflammation, add to it a little ung. Populeum.  
The swollen parts must be wrapped with clothes, 
Binding necessary.  and swathed beginning at the bottom, and so going upward.  
Some find good by laying thereon a Cabbage lease, and binding it as before.  
Others use the lie of Vine ashes, 
Lie of Vine ashes very good.  adding thereto a little Allom, & Fuller's earth, then dipping therein a linen cloth doubled, or else a sponge, and so apply it. I have made proof of this fomentation and cataplasm, when there hath been no inflmmation.  
Fomentation. ℞. Fol. salu. Maioran. Ebul. Rorismar● an. m. i. flor. Chamoemel. Melilot. Lavand. Rosar. rub. an. p. i. Baccar. Laur. junip. ballast. an. ℥ ss. coquantur omnia in lixivij Cineris sarment ●r. lb. xii. addendo Alum. crudi. ℥ i. fiat fotus cum spongijs, deinde admoneatur sequens cataplasma.  
Cataplasma. ℞. Farin. fabar. hord. Orobi. an. ℥ iij. coquantur perfectè in decocto superiori, addendo faecis vini rub. ℥ iij. Terebinth. conis ℥ i. s. unguent. Rosat. Mes. ol. Rutac. Chamoemel. an. ℥ ij. pulu. Rosar. rub. Ireos' florent. an. ℥ s. admoveatur parti calidè praemisso fotu.  
I have likewise used in steed of the foresaid fomentation, before the applying of the Poultice, to take a quantity of Danewort, 
A tried remedy.  a little Sage, with a few Chamomile and Melilot flowers, and heat them in a skillet, laying it round about the leg, and covering it quite with tiles which cover the tops of houses, being a little heated, to keep the herbs gently warm the space of an hour or two.  
Some use Snails with their shells beaten together, and apply them like a poultice.  
Beside the former swelling of the legs, and feet, there happeneth to some a puffing up, or windy swelling in the entrance of the womb, so great, and swollen; that I have seen it in some women, bigger than half a child's head: which doth so grieve, and trouble them, that they are scarce able to bring their legs together, but are fain to stand straddling: This swelling is very clear, and shining; and to say the truth, there is nothing but water contained within it, the which must be cured before her lying in. 
An observation.  There are not any Cataplasms, or the like, in this case that can do much good: (as I myself have oft made trial) But only the manual practise, making many long and deep scarifications of all sides, which will cause great store of water to flow, and issue from the part: the which I have practised upon many. And it is to be noted, that oftentimes this tumour doth return, and is filled again, therefore it will be necessary to make new scarifications. And to the end that it may not come so soon again, apply thereto, 
A tried remedy.  both within and without, fine lint moistened in the oil of sweet Almonds, and laying upon it an emplaster made with a little Cerotum infrigidans Galeni, & Desiccatiwm rubrum, mingled together: this medicine will make the orifices vent and flow the longer. Not long since, there were two worthy Ladies (which for honour sake I will not name) that were troubled with this accident, about the time of their lying in; in whom I opened, and scarified those parts, to make the water flow and come forth. And it is to be observed, that we must await a fit opportunity to do this; which will be when they are near their lying down.   

The means to help women which cannot bear their Children the full time. CHAP. XVIII.  
OFtentimes it happens to women, that they cannot bear their burden to the time prefixed by nature, which is the ninth month. This accident is called either a shift, or slipping away, or else Abortment, or (as our women call it) a mischance: The shift is reckoned from the first day the seed is retained in the womb, till such time as it receiveth form and shape, in which time, if it chance to issue and flow forth, it is a Shift. The Abortment happeneth after the fortieth day, yea, even to the end of the ninth month. For the Abortment is a violent expulsion, or exclusion of the child already form and endued with life, before the appointed time. But the sliding away, or shift, is a flowing or issuing of the seed, out of the womb, which is not yet, either formed, or endued with life.  
Those that have been delivered once before their time, for the most part they miscarry with the rest of their children, about the same time.  

Causes of Abortment.  This accident may happen upon divers occasions, the which are either inward, or outward. The outward are, either an Ague, flux of blood, or of the belly, vomiting, or any other sickness that may happen unto a woman with child; as also leaping, dancing, riding in a Coach, too much stretching of herself, and the lifting, or carrying of any heavy burden: the immoderate use of Venus, Passions of the mind, as choler, sadness, longing after any thing; or the use of violent and strong medicines.  
The inward causes are gathered from one of these three: either from the Mother, or things belonging to her, 
Causes from the child.  or from the child. Those that are taken from the child, are, when he is either so weak and sickly, that he cannot be kept in the womb, being not able to draw sufficient nourishment, and thereby doth decay and die: or else by being too big and large; so that the womb is not capable to lodge and support him: which maketh the vessels of the womb to be relaxed and break: then the entrance of the womb dilates itself, and the child cometh forth.  
From the mother: when she is either too small, 
Causes from the mother.  or low of stature, which causeth that the child cannot grow in so little room neither move himself or breath (although he breathe only by the arteries of the mother) her breast being so strait that it cannot be stretched or enlarged: or else because she is too fat, which maketh the call to press down, and crush the Matrice, and causeth the seed to flow and issue forth before it be form. 
leanness causeth Abortment.  A woman also that is too lean, and doth eat but little, seldom or never bears her child the full time. For if the mother be not well nourished, much less can the child. Too much eating stifles the child: as likewise the use of unwholesome meats doth engender ill blood in the mother: wherewith the child being nourished, in the end languisheth, whence followeth death. Another cause may be the overmuch fullness, and moistness wherewith women abound, 
Fullness is cause of Abortment.  and chiefly in their womb, which oftentimes is full, and overflows with mosture, and filleth the vessels of the womb full of slime, whereby the inner orifice is enlarged, and dilated, unable to support, or keep in the child. There may likewise be engendered some sharp, and biting humours; wherewith the Matrice being stirred, or provoked, while it endeavours to expel them, may thrust out the child also.  
This accident may also happen to those that in their child bearing are subject to have their natural courses, 
They which have their natural courses do often miscarry.  as if they were not with child: which cometh to pass, when nature striving to put them forth, doth cause the child to be untied, and so he followeth the Purge.  

Things annexed to the mother which do cause abortment.  Concerning those things which are annexed or belonging to the mother, I understand them to be such as may be grown or contained within the womb, as some impostume, Scyrrhus, or excrescence of flesh, mole or false conception, therein contained, as also great store of water, the which I saw, not long since happen unto an honest Gentlewoman, whose womb was so full of water in the eight month that the Orifice thereof was constrained to open itself, and let them forth, the which was in such quantity, that it is incredible to be reported, and some six days after, she was delivered, the womb not being closed again.  
As this accident is very dangerous, both for the mother and the child; so will it be needful to prevent, and remedy it with all speed possible.  

Signs of abortment.  First we may know, that a woman is in danger to abort, or miscarry, when the milk in her breasts doth flow and run forth in great quantity, her breasts remaining limber and soft: and if she be with child of two children, and one breast grow empty, it is sign she will miscarry with one of them. For this showeth that the child doth loath & refuse his nourishment: chiefly if the nipple have gotten any ill colour, it is a sign that the Matrice is distempered according to Hippocrates. 
Hippoc. lib. 5. Aphoris. 37.38   
They that are troubled with a great looseness of the belly, be often delivered before their time. 
Looseness of the belly causeth abortment.   
Likewise great pain of the back, and thighs, which comes round to the groin, and bottom of the belly, doth oftentimes presage the like. As also when there floweth out of the conduit of nature, first certain waters, then bloody and slimy matter, and last of all blood.  
To the end that it may be safely remedied, 
Cure of Abortment.  there must respect be had to the cause: Now concerning the outward causes, as if the mother be troubled with any sickness she must be handled as it is requisite and fit: she must shun all violent exercises, passions of the mind, and the too often use of Venus. If the abortment proceed, from the littleness or lownes of the mother, before her being with child, let her use Baths, fomentations, and ointments that may loosen and enlarge her belly, and Matrice. And while she goeth with child let her feed moderately, to nourish herself, and her child, & when the ninth month is come let her use supling and relaxing ointments like those formerly set down.  
If the cause be of too much fatness, it will be very fit and convenient to purge her, and let her blood, before she be with child; and to prescribe her a strict order of diet thereby to make her lean, using meats that be not too nourishing, or full of good juice. chose she that is too lean, must use good meats, and such as breed good juice, and that in good quantity. If too much eating and drinking, or the use of bad meats, that breed ill juice, be the cause: then must she abstain from them.  
And when it doth proceed from the fullness and abundance of humours, & water: as it happeneth in full bodied young women, or which before their being with child were subject to some evacuations (as bleeding at the nose, Hemorrodes, or abundance of ordinary purgations, and whites) then will it also be very needful to purge, and let them blood and before their being with child, to make them use the diet: 
When the diet is necessary  and especially those, that have the ligaments of the womb loose and soft, and the vessels full of thick and slimy matter: to whom likewise may be administered cleansing, & strengthening injections, drying perfumes, Baths with sulphur, and emplasters for their backs, which shall hereafter be set down.  

Bloudletting fit for them that abort.  And when they shall be gone about four months and a half, it will be very fit to purge them gently, & let them blood, the which may be done more plentifully and boldly (not all at once, but at sundry times) in those who before their being with child were used to more copious and frequent evacuations. For experience doth show, that by this means, those which were wont to be delivered before their time, have not only born their children to the ordinary time, but thereby also have been brought a bed more easily, and with less pain and trouble. 
Store of nourishment choketh the child.  So that the child shall neither be in danger to be stifled, by drawing more food than is needful for his nourishment; nor of growing too big, by turning it into his own sustenance, which might be a means through his exceeding greatness to break and tear the ligaments that support him, or else, though he stay his full time, (being thus big) that he should not be able to come easily into the world.  
To help the abortment, 
Of the abortment that cometh from the child.  whereof the child is cause, being naturally either weak or sickly, it will be very necessary, that the mother put to her helping hand, as much as she can possibly. Wherefore she must be merry; quiet, as well in body as in mind, not fretting or vexing herself: and especially about the time she was wont to be delivered, she must keep her bed, using meats of easy digestion and distribution, and drink good claret wine: let her take every two hours, a good space from her meat, some of this opiate.  
Opiate. ℞. Cons. Borag. Buglos. an. ℥ i. Cons. Rosar. Anthos an. ʒ vi. Cort. Citri cond. Myrobal. conduit. an. ℥ s. Margarit. splendid. Coral. rub. an. ʒ i ossis de cord cerui. ʒ s. Come syr. Conser. Citri fiat Opiata capiat ʒ i ut dictum est.  
If she like not this Opiate, let her use these Lozenges.  
Lozenges. ℞. Sp. Diamarg. frig. ℈ ij. Coral. rub. Corn. cerui. usti an. ʒ s. priapitauri ℈ iiij. Sacchar. in aqua. Buglos. dissolute. ℥ iij. fiat electuarium per tabellas ponderis ʒ s. vel ℈ ij. pro dosi capiat ut dictum est.  
Let her belly be anointed with this ointment as well to comfort the Matrice, as also to give strength unto the child.  
Ointment.  ℞. Olei Mirtill. Cydonior: Mastich. an ℥ s. Coral. rub. santal. rub. an. ʒ i. maioran. Absynth. an. ℈ iiij ung. Rosat. Mes. ℥ s. Cerae q. s. fiat Linimentum. 
Let there be laid upon her back, and os sacrum, some such emplaster. Some women have found good by applying upon their Navel a tossed dipped in good red wine, strowing upon it the powder of Roses; Grana tinctorum; Coral; and a little Cinnamon.  
The Emplaster. ℞. Gallar. Nuc. Cupress. sang. Dracon. ballast. myrtle. Ros. rub. an. ʒ i. s. Mastic. Myrrhae an. ʒ ij. Thur. Hypocist. acaciae. gum. Arabic. Bol. armen. an. ʒ i ladani ℥ i. Terebinth. venet. ℥ is. picis Navalis. ʒ v i. Cerae. ol. Mastich. an. q. s. ut fiat. secundum artem emplastrum.  
The emplaster must be often taken off, for fear of the itching, and put on again; and if there happen any heat to the part, anoint it with Mesues ointment of Roses.  

Remedies if the child be to big.  If you perceive that the child be too great, and big; to the end that he receive not so much nourishment, whereby he may grow bigger, and larger; the mother must abstain from all meats that are so ivicy and nourishing, and keep herself quiet having her belly stayed up with a fit roler, that it hang not down, and lest the ligaments which hold the child might stretch, and so by the weight be torn, and broken a sunder.  

Causes of Abortment annexed to the Mother.  The like may be observed and practised in the causes annexed & joined to the mother, as if there be any Scyrrhus, Mole, Dropsy, Warts, Impostums, excrescence of flesh, or other indisposition of the womb. The which must be cured before the woman be with child, according as the disease doth require, it being very hard for a Woman to prove with child, when she is troubled with any of the aforesaid accidents.  
And in regard of outward causes, 
Outward cause.  wherein we did comprehend the Ague, lask, Flux of blood, vomiting and the like. These accidents must be prevented, according as the case doth require taking the advice of the learned Physician, as we have said before. But concerning medicines, which must be more particularly applied to outward causes, as falls, blows, and violent exercises, let them have recourse to the medicines described, for the child that is weak, and sickly, to which these following may be added as being profitable for both causes. As if there appear any blood, or red waters that begin to flow and come forth, by then natural passage, this medicine is excellent.  
℞. Granor. tinct. ʒ s. Coral. rub. margarit. elect. an. 
Medicines f● abortment.  gr. vi. germina duor. ovor. misce exhibeatur cum vitello unius ovi. vel.  
℞. Mastich. subtle. pull. ʒ s. seric. subtiliter incisae ℈ s. germina duor ovor. capiat. cum vitello ovi.  
She may likewise take in the morning, a Lozenge of Diarhodon of the weight of a French Crown. This powder also is very commendable.  ℞. Sp. Diamarg. frigid. ʒ s. Coral. rub. ust. & lot. in aq. Rosar. pryap. Tauri. sic. an. ℈ ij. Eboris. Bol. Armen. terrae sigillat. an ℈ iiij. Sachar. rosat. tabulat. ℥ is. Capiat mane & sero. ʒ ij. pro unaquaque dosi. 
Of this powder also may be made Lozenges.  
Let there be applied to her back the former Emplaster, or this that followeth.  
Emplaster to retain or keep in the child. ℞. Mastich. Myrrh. gum. Arab. an. ʒ ij. Menth. sicc. Absynth. rad. Bistort. Nucum & fol. Cupress. an. ʒ i s. Cortic. granat. ʒ ij s. Styrac. calam. Colophon. picis Naval. an. ʒ iij. Cerae Citrin. ℥ i. Terebinth. von. ℥ s. Ol. Mirtill. q. s. fiat emplast. extendat. super alutam, ad usum.  
If the emplaster breed any inconvenience, let them use this ointment.  
Ointment. ℞. Ol. Cydonior. Mastich. Mirtill. an. ℥ i s. Bol. Armen. sang. Dracon. Coral. rub. an ʒ s. Hypocist. Acaciae an. ʒ i. santal. citr. rosar. rub. Sem. Berber. an. ℈ ij. Cerae q. s. f. ung. prorenibus & ventre toto.  
Having (with as much brevity, as possibly I could) treated of the Accidents which happen to women with child: and having likewise brought them even to the time that nature hath appointed for their delivery: it now remaineth, that we handle the means, to help and ease them in this act and travail: the which shall be done, after we have spoken somewhat, concerning the beginning and office of Midwives, as being the first that are called in this business.    

THE MEANS TO help and succour a Woman with child, as well in her natural travail, as that which is contrary to nature.  
The second Book.  

Of Midwives. CHAP. I.  
DAily experience doth show us, that many women are delivered without the help of the Midwife, Notwithstanding Antiquity telleth us, that there have been Midwives even from the beginning: yea, that divers of that sex have practised Physic.  
Hypocrates sweareth by Apollo and Aesculapius and by Hygea, and Panacaea, as Gods, 
Hippocrat. divers women Physicians.  and Goddesses of Physic.  
Ovid doth make mention of Ocyroe, 
ovid.  daughter to Chiron the great Physician, who out of her curiosity did practise Physic.  
Origen in his eleventh Homely upon Exodus speaketh of two Midwives, very skilful in Physic, which were Egyptians, and calls them Sephora and Phua.  
Beside this curiosity; necessity, (the mistress of Arts) hath constrained women, to learn and practise Physic, one with another. For finding themselves afflicted, and troubled with divers diseases in their natural parts, and being destitute of all remedies, 
Why women did study Physic.  (for want whereof many perished, and died miserably) they durst not discover, and lay open their infirmities, to any but themselves, accounting it to be dishonest: 
Higinus. Women forbid to study Physic.  As Higinus testifies, who relateth, how the Athenians had forbidden women, by their Laws, to study in Physic; and that at the same time there was a certain maid named Agnodicea, very desirous to study therein, who the better to attain unto her purpose, did cut off her hair, and apparel herself like a man: and being so disguised, she became the scholar of Herophylus the Physician: 
A notable History.  And when she had learned Physic, having notice of a certain woman that was troubled in her natural parts; she went unto her, and made proffer of her service; which the sick party refused, thinking she had been a man: But when Agnodicea had assured her (by discovering of herself) that she was a maid, the woman committed herself, into her hands, who dressed, and cured her perfectly: and with the like care and industry she looked to many others, and cured them. Which being known by the Physicians, because they were not called any more to the cure of women, they accused the said Agnodicea, that she had shaved off her beard, that thereby she might abuse women, feigning themselves to be sick. Then she putting aside her garments, made it evident that she was a maid: which caused the Physicians then to accuse her of a greater fault, for transgressing the Law, which forbade women either to study or practise Physic. This being come to the ears of the chiefest women, they presently went to the chief Magistrates, and judges of the City, called the Areopagites, and told them: that they did not account them, for their husbands, and friends, but for enemies; that they would condemn her, which restored them to their health: which made the Atheniaens to revoke and disannul that Law, giving Gentlewomen leave to study and practise Physic.  
Now since the greatest disease that women can have is that of the nine Months, the Crisis and cure whereof consists in their safe delivery: 
There have been Midwives from the beginning. Lib. de Carnibus.  we must not doubt, but that there have been some women addicted thereto, and practised therein, in all ages. Hypocrates speaking of the birth that happeneth in the seventh month, doth refer the Reader unto the Midwives, who are present at such labours, and wisheth him to learn the truth thereof, of them.  
Galen saith, 
Lib 3. de Facul. natural  that Midwives do not bid the women that are in travail, either to raise themselves, or to sit down in the Chair, 
Midwives i● Galens' time  before that the entrance of the womb be open, for the coming forth of the child; which they know by feeling with their hand. 
Lib. de Causis morborum.  The same Author likewise speaketh of the errors committed by Midwives, when they receive the child; an evident testimony that there were some such in the time of Hippocrat. and Galen.  

Socrates' mother a Midwife.  Lacrtius, and Valerius Maximus do testify, that Phanerora the mother of Socrates was a Midwife: yea, and it is found, that the ancient Judges did appoint a stipend for those women that practised Physic well; and which were good Midwives. Witness Ulpian: 
Lib. 1. §. 1. de Extraordinaria cognition.  as likewise, such were punished, as had practised, or behaved themselves amiss in their profession, as it appeareth by the Law. Item si Obstetrix.  
But among those that have practised Physic, there were some that have applied themselves most, to the delivering of Women; and for a difference from others, they were commonly called Cunning women: or else caused themselves to be so called: For women are of this disposition, that they desire to excel men, or at least to seem to go beyond them. Wherefore it may easily be perceived, 
Two sorts of cunning women.  that there hath been, some women that have practised Physic: and others that were employed in the delivery of women. And these last took upon them three things, 
Gal. in 62. lib. 5. Aph. Hippocrat.  as the Lawyers, Plato in his Thetetus, and Galen do witness.  

First office.  The first office was to make the match, and to join the husband with the wife, and likewise to judge, whether they were sit, and capable, or else ●●ble, and unsufficient to have issue, and beget children: which is very difficult to be known, and at this day there is no woman so cunning, who is able to tell it.  
The second office was, 
The second office.  to be present at the delivery of women, and birth of children; whether it were in giving of some medicines, 
Act. 3. Scene Andr. Quod iussi ei dare bibere, & quantum imperani, da●  (as Terence doth witness) whose words are these; Let her drink that, which I appointed, and the quantity I commanded:) or else by using her handiwork: which work was committed to none, but those that had had children; because (as Plato saith) one cannot be so apt and skilful in exercising a work not known, as they which have had the perfect knowledge and experience thereof. Beside, the said Midwife was not to begin to use this art, before she was passed childbearing: 
The Midw 〈…〉 must be pa●● child bearing.  because Diana (the Patroness of women in childbed) is barren and also for that a woman which beareth children, is much troubled, and more unapt to labour and take pains.  
The third office was to know, 
The third office.  and tell whether a woman was with child, or no. And therefore the Law given à DD. fratribus did ordain, that three honest Midwives, skilful in Midwifery, should view and make inspection, and then give their judgement, whether the Woman were with child.  
But since that time beside the three former offices, 
Another office of Midwives  they have taken upon them authority▪ to judge of the virginity of maids, Nevertheless all the famous Universities of Italy have rejected, and condemned the opinion of such Midwives, who say they can judge thereof. And Master Cuiacius hath done the like (for the French) saying, that it is very difficult, yea impossible, to know whether a maid, be a virgin or no; And that this power was never given unto Midwives by the Civil Law, to judge thereof.   

What manner of Woman, a Midwife ought to be.  
MAny things are requisite, and needful in a Midwife, but they are all referred to her person, 
The quality of a Midwife for her person  to her Manners, and to her mind: First, concerning her person: she must be of an indifferent age, neither too young, nor too old: well composed of body: not being subject to any diseases, nor misshapen, or deformed in any part thereof, neat in her apparel, and person: especially having little hands & not thick: clean, and her nails pared very near, and even; neither must she wear rings upon her fingers, nor bracelets upon her arms, when she is about her business. She must be pleasant, merry, of good discourse, strong, painful, and accustomed to labour, that she may be able (if need be) to watch two or three nights by the woman. 
Her manners. And. Act. ●. Sc. ●. Save pol●●lla tonul●n●aest mul●er, & teme●●ria necsatis digna cu● c●m 〈◊〉 p●mi sarin wherem   
Concerning her behaviour, she must be mild, gentle, courteous, patient, sober, chaste, not quarrelsome; nor choleric, neither proud or covetous, nor a blabber, or reporter of any thing she shall either hear or see in secret, in the house or person of her she hath delivered. For as Terence saith, 
Drunkenness reproved  It is not fit to commit her into the hands of a drunken, or rash woman, that is in travail of her first child.  
As for her mind, she must be wise, discreet, 
Her mind  and witty, able to make use sometime of fair and flattering speeches: as Plato reporteth Midwives were wont to do in times past: which was done to no other end but only to busy and beguile the poor apprehensive women. And it is a commendable deceit, allowed also in a Chirurgeon when it is done for the patients good. For as the same Terence saith. Deceit doth serve oftentimes for a good medicine in extreme diseases.  
Now above all things the said Midwife ought to know that nature, the handmaid of this great God, hath given to every thing a beginning, increase, state, perfection, & declining, which he doth manifestly, 
The chie●fice of a 〈◊〉 wife.  and chiefly show (saith Galen) in the birth of a child, when the mother brings him into the world. For Nature surpasseth all▪ and in that she doth, is wiser than either Art, or the Midwife, whosoever she be, yea, than the best or most cunning workman that may be found, 
Lib. 7. the 〈◊〉 partium.  as Galen witnesseth. For it is she, that hath set down the day of the child's conformation, and the hour of his birth. And certainly it is a thing worthy of consideration, to see how in a little space, 
Admira 〈…〉 thing.  yea even in the twinkling of an eye, the neck of the womb, which all the time of the nine months was so perfectly and exactly closed and shut, that the point of a needle could not enter therein: how (I say) in an instant it is dilated and enlarged, to give passage, and way for the child; the which cannot be comprehended (as the same Galen saith) but only wondered at, and admired. The same Author in his fifteenth book de usu partium, desirous to show the providence of Nature saith, that the faults of Nature are very rare, and that she worketh always, and in such order, and measure, that of a thousand births, there is scarce one found that is amiss.  
Wherefore neither the Midwife nor any of the Woman's kinsfolks, or assistants, aught to do any thing rashly, but suffer nature to work; helping her notwithstanding in that which shall be needful, as hereafter shall be declared: dividing the work of their delivery into three several times and seasons.   

What must be observed, when the woman feels herself, near her time. CHAP. III.  
THe time of delivery being at hand, the woman is to prepare herself in this manner. She must presently send for the Midwife, and her keeper, it being better to have them about her too soon, then too late; for there be some women that are delivered suddenly without the help of any one, although they have been long in their first labour.  

The bed  In the mean time, she must have a little bed provided her, like a pallet, which must be of a reasonable bigness, strong and firm, and also of an indifferent height (as well for her own commodity, as the Midwives, and others that shall be present about her, to help her, in her labour) and it must be so set & placed, that they may conveniently come and go round about her, it must be placed far from any door, and somewhat near the fire. Let it also be conveniently furnished with beds & good store of linen that they may be often changed, as need shall require. And likewise there must be laid cross the bed's feet, a piece of wood, for the woman to rest her feet upon, that so she may have the more strength when she bendeth her legs, as we will show hereafter.  
As soon as she feels herself stirred and provoked with throws and pains, 
Women in travail mu●● walk.  which are usual in this case, it were good for her to walk up and down the chamber, and then lay herself down warm in her bed: and then again afterwards to rise & walk, up and down the chamber, and then lay her down warm in her bed: and then again afterwards to rise up and walk, expecting till the water be gathered, and the Matrice be opened: for to keep herself so long in her bed, would be very tedious and painful. Yet it may chance, 
Rest is oft profitable  that being in bed she may take some rest and have a little slumber, and so by this means the mother may gather more strength, & the child be the better enabled to come at the time, which God hath appointed it, and also the waters will be the better prepared & gathered.  
They may give her, if the labour be long, a little broth, or the yelke of an egg with some butter, and bread, and also a little wine and water.  

divers sorts of bringing women to bed.  It is very certain, that all women are not delivered after one fashion: for some are delivered in their bed; others sitting in a chair, some standing being supported and held up by the standers by: or else leaning upon the side of a bed, table or chair; others kneeling being held up by the arms. But the best and safest way, 
The best way to be delivered.  is; to be delivered in their bed, (the which I advise them to) the midwife, and assistants, as her kinsfolks, friends, and keepers, observing this that follows.  
First the woman must be laid flat upon her back, having her head raised somewhat high, 
The placing of a woman in travail.  with a pillow under her back that it bow not: and under her buttocks and os sacrum, let her have another pretty big pillow, that thereby those parts may be somewhat lifted up: for a woman that sinketh down into the bed can never be well delivered; and therefore the well placing of them is of great consequence. Let her thighs and knees be stretched forth and laid abroad one from another: and her legs bowed and drawn upward, having her heels & the soles of her feet, leaning hard against the piece of wood, which is laid cross the bed for this purpose.  
About some they put a swath four times doubled under their back, and hinder parts, which comes round about them: this swath must be a foot broad, & better, and so long, that it may be held by two women, standing on each side of the bed, there with to lift up the woman in travail a little, pulling it gently towards them, & chiefly when her throws come upon her. For this raising or lifting up doth much refresh her, and makes her endure her throws with more ease.  
Beside the two women that hold the swath, there must be two more of her friends or kinsfolks, 
Another help for a woman in labour.  to take her by the hands, thereby to clinsh or crush them when her throws come, and the other hand they must hold on the top of her shoulders, that she rise not upward too much, and that she may the better strain herself, for oftentimes as she thrusts her feet hard against the piece of wood, which is put cross the bed, she raiseth herself upward. Sometime I have bid one of the women that stand by to press gently with the palm of her hand the upper parts of the belly, stroking the child downward by little and little, the which pressing did hasten the delivery, and made them endure the throws better, and with more ease.  
The woman in travail being thus placed, must take a good heart, and strain herself as much as she can, when her throws come upon her, making them double and increase, by holding in her breath and stopping her mouth, and forming herself, as though she would go to the stool, which is much fitter for her to do then to lie crying and lamenting.  
Aristotle hath well observed, that those women, 
De generat 〈…〉 Animal.  which draw their breath upward, are delivered with much pain, because they make the Midrife rise up, which in this business, should rather be depressed, and kept down. It is very fit indeed, that she take some ease and respite, not forcing herself much for every little pang that happens, which she may gather all into one, thereby to make them available; when time shall serve.  

Actites.  If she wear about her neck an Eagles stone, loadstone, the skin of an Vrus or wild Ox or the like, which might keep back the child, let them be taken away, and tied to her thighs.  
But above all things she must be obedient to all that is commanded her, either by her kinsfolks, and friends, or by the Midwife. Likewise she must be patient in her sickness, calling upon God for help, since it concerns both her own life, and the child's, and she must call to mind, that he hath said with his own mouth, 
Genes.  That the woman should bring forth with labour and pain. For it would be a rare thing to see a woman delivered without any pain. Medea in Euripides saith, 
Euripides.  That she had rather die twice in the wars, then to be once delivered of a child.  
Nevertheless we read in histories, of a certain Country wherein women are delivered without any pain. And Aristotle in his wonderful Narrations reporteth, 
Women delivered without pain.  that the women of Ligustria do bring forth without pain, and that they return to their business as soon as they are delivered.  
They that write the History of America do tell the like, of the women in that country, which is; That as soon as they be delivered, (they are so kind to their husbands, which took the pains to beget the child) that they presently rise up and lay their husbands in their room; 
Men that lie in.  who are used and attended, like women in childbed. And in this manner they be visited of all their friends, and kinsfolk, who bring them gifts and presents.   

The office and duty of a Midwife, for the first time, she must observe in the travail. Chap. FOUR  
THe Woman that is ready to be delivered being thus placed and laid in her bed, must have the Midwife near unto her: who ought first to ask of her woman, whether she hath gone her full time, and be ready to be delivered; and at what time she conceived; then must she handle her belly, and marking it well, consider diligently whether the upper parts seem as if they were empty, and fallen, and the neither parts very big and full: which showeth that the child is sunk down. Beside, she must ask her, whether she have any pains, and in what manner they be, 
Signs o●●ing in tr 〈…〉  where they begin, and where they end: and whether they be little or great, and frequent: whether they begin at the back, running down all along the belly, without staying at the Navel: and chiefly if they run along the groin, and end in the bottom of the belly inwardly (that is in the inner neck of the womb) than it is a sign that she begins to fall in travail. And for the more assurance, let the Midwife thrust up her hand, being first anointed, either with fresh butter, hog's grease, or some other ointment, which here after shall be set down. And if she perceive that both the inner, and outward orifice of the womb, be dilated and opened, it is a sign she begins to be in travail, especially if there flow or come forth by the said passage, any slime, or water: the which do foreshow, that the birth is at hand, as Hippocrat. saith, which if they be pale, it signifies for the most part, it will be a wench: and if it be reddish that it is a son. Now this slime cometh by the dilatation of the inner orifice, and from the membrane, that doth wrap and enfold the child, which begins to break. And also by reason of the vessels, and ties which are loosened from the sides of the womb the which may be perceived by the waters which will swell, showing like a bubble, or rather like a bladder full of water. And when the water begins to be thus gathered, there is no doubt to be made, but that the woman is in travail: Hypocrates doth observe three sorts of humours, that flow in the time of their travail: the first, is slimy: the second radish: the third is the water wherein the child swimmeth, and here endeth the first time, which the midwife must oberue.   

Of the Second time that the Midwife must observe. CHAP. V.  
WHen the waters are in this sort gathered together, by means of the throws, which come by little and little: 
The placing of the Midwife.  then the Midwife must place herself conveniently near unto the woman, sitting in a chair somewhat lower than the bed: and she must sit in such manner, that she may easily put up her hand (being first anointed) into those parts, when need requires. And by this means, she may know, 
The mean● to know h●● the child cometh.  whether the child come naturally, or no, for in feeling gently cross the membrane, that contains the waters, she shall find, either the roundness of the child's head, or else some unevenness. If in feeling, she perceive that there is any hard and equal roundness; it is most likely to be the child's head▪ and that he comes naturally: but if she feel any unevenness, the contrary may be imagined.  
When she perceiveth, that all comes well, and according to nature, the throws increasing upon the woman, and that the child doth strive and endeavour to come forth, and the womb doth strain itself to be freed of this burden; Then the Midwife must encourage the woman, entreating her to hold in her breath, by stopping her mouth, and to strain downward, as though she would go to the stool: Assuring her, that she shall be quickly eased of her pain: and that her child is even ready to come into the world, exhorting her to be patient, and promising, that she shall have, either a goodly son, or a fair daughter, according as she knoweth her affection inclined.  
And the Midwives greatest charge must be, that she do nothing hastily, or rashly, or by force, to enlarge the passage of the child: and much less, to let forth the water, or to break, and tear the membranes, that contain it: but she must expect till it break of itself.  

The water must not be let forth.  Some Midwives either through ignorance, or impatience, or else by being hastened to go to some other woman's labour, do tear the membranes with their nails, and let forth the water, to the great hurt and danger, both of the poor woman, and her child: who remains dry, the water being issued, and voided before the appointed time; yea, oftentimes before the child be well turned, which hath been the death of many women, and children. But when the water, both by the endeavour of the Mother, and likewise of the child, shall be newly broken; then aswell the Midwife, as the rest of the women present, must more and more encourage the woman, especially when her throws increase; beseeching her in the name of God, that she would farther them, as much as she can possibly. In the mean time, the Midwife must continually anoint the neither parts with butter, or some other fats. And when the head doth offer itself to come forth, she must receive it gently with both her hands: which being come forth, and the woman's throws increasing, she must draw out the shoulders handsomely, sliding down her finger under the child's armpits; taking the opportunity and time when her throws come fastest. And it is to be noted, that the throws cease very little, or not at all, after the head and shoulders be once come forth: Nevertheless, it will be very fit, to give the poor woman a little breathing, entreating her, that she would be of as good cheer as she can. After this, the Midwife having drawn out the shoulders, may easily draw forth the rest of the body: which must not be done either hastily or rashly.  
But because the child naturally doth come into the world, with the face downward: therefore when he is quite taken forth, he must be turned upon his back: for fear lest he be stifled, or choked. 
The Navel string must be undone.  And if his navell-string be wound about his neck, (as many times it happens) then must it be unwoond. Oftentimes likewise, the child is so feeble, and faint, that there can scarcely be perceived any breath, or life in him: and therefore he must have a little wine spirted into his mouth, nose, and ears, in that quantity as shall be needful. When he is come to himself, and begins to cry, than the Midwife must follow the string, wagging and shaking it, thereby to draw, and bring forth gently the afterbirth, to which it is tied: 
Means to draw forth the afterburthen.  bidding the woman to cough, and likewise to hold some salt in her hands, fast shut together, and then blow in them.  
In the mean time the Midwife, or some other woman, must press gently with her hand, the top of the woman's belly, stroking it lightly downward: the afterburthen being come, it must be laid upon the child's belly: 
What must be done to the child.  and the child, together with the afterbirth, must be wrapped up handsomely in a bed, and a blanket, to be carried nearer the fire, covering the head with a linen cloth five or six times double: and yet not exposing him suddenly either to the fire-light, daylight, or candlelight, lest by this sudden change his sight might be hurt: but his eyes must be covered, that by little and little he may open them, and acquaint them with the light.  
But as I said before, the woman must be encouraged when the water doth issue forth, and caused to strain herself to be delivered, that the child may follow the foresaid water.  
And they must likewise observe diligently, whether the pains, be the pains of travail, or no: and whether the water be that, wherein the child swimmeth. For there be some women that have these water's issue out, and come away, long before they are ready to lie down. Which I have seen happen unto divers women, and of late memory to Mad. Arnault, 
A notable story.  who having gone six or seven months, and troubled with a great Colique, that had held her almost two months, and took her every day at certain hours: She being at her house in the Country, entreated me that I would come and see her, and to have my advise and counsel, whether it were fit for her to come into the City; which I adiused her to do: both because of the great pains she had, as also for her exceeding greatness: being of opinion, that she might have two children, as she had had, not above a year before. Being come to Paris, her Colique was somewhat mitigated, and a little while after she voided two or three gallons of water, without any pain, thinking verily then, that she was not with child: yet five days after she was delivered very happily, and with little pain, of a fair daughter, there following very little water, or none at all.  
I saw another Lady in whom these waters came away, above ten days before her delivery, yet she kept not her bed, but followed her ordinary business. And this is worth marking, that they may be careful not to hasten the delivery; except the pains be proper for travail, and such as I have already described.   

The Third time that must be observed by the Midwife. CHAP. VI  
AS soon as the child is borne, and that the Mother is delivered of her afterbirth, the Midwife shall cause her legs to be gently laid down, taking away the piece of wood, that lay at her feet: and put a fine linen cloth, or rather a clean sponge, washed in warm water, and wrung out, between her thigh's, near unto her natural parts, that the cold air may not get therein: and then must she take the child, together with the afterburthen, and carry them to the fire, as hath been said already.  
And if it happen, that the afterburthen be long ere it come, or be drawn forth; and that the child may not stay so long there, for danger to be stifled, and die, it being oftentimes very weak. The midwife shall first tie, and then cut the child's Navel-string, to separate him from the afterburthen: Which must be done in this manner.  

How the Navel must be tied.  She must have in readiness, a good double thread, and a pair of sharp Scissors: with the thread she must tie the Navel a good inch from the child's belly with a double knot, or oftener: this knot must be neither too hard and strait, neither too loose: for too strait tying, beside the extreme pain it causeth, makes that which is tied fall off too soon, and that, before the scar be grown between the live and the dead part: And if it be tied too loose, thereof proceeds a flux of blood from the umbilical vessels, which are not exactly closed and stopped by the said ligature: and therefore, a mean must be observed in doing it. Then being thus tied, 
Where the Navel must be cut.  the Navel-string must be cut off an inch beneath the knot; And that the knot may not slip, nor the thread slide away, she must take a little fine linen roller dipped in oil of Roses, wherewith she must wrap the rest of the Navel, and with a little fine bombast moistened in the same oil, she must lay it upon the belly, that it be not crushed, when they dress and swath the child. By this ligature, 
The Navel must fall of itself.  that which is tied will come to wither, and dry of itself, and some four or five days after, more, or less, the dead part will fall from the quick, which must not be forced or plucked off in any case.  
Some do observe, that the Navel must be tied longer, or shorter, according to the difference of the sex, allowing more measure to the males: 
The measure in tying the Navel.  because this length doth make their tongue, and privy membres the longer: whereby they may both speak the plainer, and be more serviceable to Ladies. And that by tying it short, and almost close to the belly in females, their tongue is less free, and their natural part more strait: And to speak the truth, 
A common saying of Women.  the Gossips commonly say merrily to the Midwife; if it be a boy, Make him good measure; but if it be a wench, Tie it short.  
Hypocrates would have them, in tying the Navel, observe this that followeth. 
Precept of Hypocrates.  If a woman (saith he) be delivered with pain, and the child stay long in the womb, and comes not forth easily, but with trouble: and chiefly if it be by the Chirurgeons help, and instruments: such children are not long lived, and therefore there Navell-string must not be cut, before they have either sneezed, pissed, or cried.  
Anon after the Midwife hath cut the Navel, she must wipe and make clean the child, not only his face, but his whole body, and the wrinkles and folds of the armpits, buttocks, and joints, either with fresh Butter, or oil of sweet Almonds. Some do it with oil of Roses, others with oil of Nuts, thereby to make the skin more firm, and to stop the pores, that the outward air may not hurt him, and likewise to strengthen all his parts.  

Auicens' Method.  Avicen boileth Roses and Sage in wine, and washeth the child with a fine soft Sponge dipped therein: and so continues it three or four mornings when he is shifted.  
The child being thus shifted and anointed, and then well dried, and wrapped up by the Midwife, or others: 
What must be given the child after he is borne.  they must presently give him a little wine and Sugar in a spoon, or else the bigness of a pease, of Mithridate, or treacle, dissolved in a little wine, if it be Winter, and in Summer (by reason of the heat) with a little Carduus Benedictus, or some other Cordial water.  
Avicen doth think it sufficient to give them a little Honey: and to rub the top and bottom of the tongue with ones finger dipped in honey. And by this means, to see whether they be tongue tied, and so to cut the string, if it be needful.   

of the Care that must be had of a Woman in Child bed. CHAP. VII.  
WHile the Midwife doth cut the child's Navel, and make him clean, the Nurse, or some other that is present, must have an especial Care of two things: The first is, To give the woman in childbed this drink. 
A Drink for a woman in childbed. Take oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn, two ounces, Syrup of Maidenhayre, one ounce, white Wine, water of parietary of the wall, and Carduus Benedictus, of each half an ounce,  Mingle them very well together with much shaking, and so let her drink it. This medicine will mitigate and lenify the passage of the throat, and Trachaea Arteria, which have been heated, and stretched with crying, and groaning: And likewise it will help to provoke the purge, and hinder the pangs and gripings from being so violent.  
2. The second is, to cause a sheep to be flayed, and to wrap the woman's back and belly in the skin yet warm, thereby to strengthen and comfort, all those parts, which have been as it were disjointed, and pulled one from another, with much striving in her travail. Avicen thinks it enough to lay upon the woman's belly, a Hare's skin newly stripped from the Hare being alive.  
Then the Midwife (if she be not busied about the Child) or some other that looketh to the woman, shall apply beneath to the entrance of the natural part, and about the bottom of her belly this medicine.  
A strengthening Medicine. Take oil of Hypericum, Saint john's Wart, two ounces, Oil of Roses, an ounce: Two whole eggs, Mingle them well together and let them be applied as I showed before with finelinnen clothes, or flax, likewise there must be laid under her hams, a little pillow doubled, to make her keep her knees up a little, and that her thighs & legs lie not strait down. Let her neither lie along, nor sit upright but keep herself between both, having her head and body rather a little raised, then laidlow, that her purge may the easier come away.  
After the skin hath lain there two or three days, the Midwife, or her nurse shall take it away, and swath her belly, rubbing and anointing it first, with oil of Saint john's wort, sweet Almonds, and Roses, mingled together. For this swathing serves to keep the Matrice in his place, and to drive down gently her after-purging, and also is a means to keep out the air, which otherwise might cause the woman to have great pains and gripings.  
The fashion of the swath. The swath must be made of linen cloth four times doubled, of the breadth of all her belly; which must be put round about her back & belly smooth without any pleat and wrinkle. And while they be about this, they must take an especial care, that the woman catch not cold, nor that the air get not into her womb, which being emptied of such a burden, will easily receive it, 
They must beware of taking cold.  and this might be a means to make it swell, and puff up, and to shut the orifices of the veins, by which her purge should flow: the suppression whereof doth cause pains, gripings, suffocation, an ague, and many other accidents.  
Now when the woman shall be thus accommodated, she must be kept from sleeping, though she be very desirous thereof, and let her in the mean time be entertained with some discourse, and let her nurse look to her breasts, applying such things thereunto, as shall be set down in the third book in their proper place.  
After the woman hath been kept three or four hours from sleeping, you may give her some broth made with a knuckle of Veal, or a Chicken, 
The woman in child bed must be in quiet.  or in stead thereof, a couple of yolks of eggs, and so let her take her rest: and if she have any desire to sleep, she may, which must be some three or four hours after her delivery, the doors and windows of her chamber, being close shut, not making any noise.  
And so let this suffice, for the natural travail or delivery; wherein there hath been no difficulty: the woman being neither much troubled, 
Gen. 3.15.  nor having had any great pains, but those that are ordinary, and such as God hath, which is, that In sorrow a woman should bring forth.   

Of a painful, and difficult delivery with the causes thereof. CHAP. VIII.  
WOmen are borough a bed very hardly, and with much pain, upon divers reasons, which is an occasion that many repair unto Physicians, and chirurgeons, to have their help, since there be few Midwives found skilful, that can give them much aid or succour in these cases.  

Causes of difficult delivery  A Chirurgeon being called thither, ought diligently to inquire, what may be the cause, and consider carefully thereof: now the cause may be referred to four things, either to the mother: or to the child: or to things that are annexed unto the child: or else to outward things, and so accordingly must they frame the remedy.  

'Cause from outward things.  In the number of outward things I comprehend those persons, that are about the woman in travail, who if they be displeasing unto her, are to be entreated gently to withdraw and absent themselves. Whether it be by reason that the woman hath any fear, apprehension, or any mislike and loathing unwillling to have them so near her, when she is in her travail, and anguish; or else being ashamed to see herself in that case.  

Lib. 28. cap. 6.  2 Pliny writeth that the ancients held an opinion that the delivery might be hindered and prove difficult: 
Opinion of Plyny. Story of Alcmene.  if there were any in the woman's chamber, which held her fingers locked, or shut one within another: and produceth for an example Alcmene; who could not be delivered of Hercules, but with much difficulty.  
3 Likewise the outward air being too cold, may hinder the delivery because it cooleth the woman, 
Coldness or heat doth hinder the delivery.  shutting up her body, and especially those parts, which ought to be enlarged, and dilated. As also the air being too hot, spendeth the spirits, and makes the woman lose her strength, remaining weak and feeble, and as it were fainting, without any power, or courage. And therefore the air must be temperate, yet rather hot, then cold.  
4 Pleasing smells, (as of Musk, Civet, 
Effect of sweet smells.  Amber Grise, or the like, if she have such about her, the vapour whereof, may strike up into her nose,) do hinder the delivery: because they draw the womb upward.  
If the cause of difficult delivery be in the mother herself, it comes, either by reason of her person, 
Causes from the Mother  or her age, or her natural disposition, or of some other accident she hath had or may have: or by being delivered before, or after her time.  
1 Her person or body may be the cause thereof: as if she be too fat and full: for in such women I have seen great store of fat come down into their natural parts, which stopped the passage. 
Fatness.  And in others I have seen the call come down, which did so press, and crush together both the inward and outward neck of the womb, that it could very hardly open itself, yea, and being dilated, and enlarged, did even close & press it together again.  
In some I have seen and felt part of the bladder present itself at the entrance of the womb. 
The Bladder.   
A woman that is too lean and bare: as also one that is too little, 
Leanness.  may likewise be delivered with much difficulty. And when this happeneth, it cannot be remedied, as one would desire.  
2 Now concerning their age: both they that are too young as being too strait: and also they that are old, having also their natural parts too much shrunk together and dried, and the bones too closely joined together, & the cartilages very hard which cannot so well yield, and be dilated, as in youth; I say both of these be delivered with very much difficulty.  

From her disposition.  3 Their natural disposition likewise may be a cause that they are delivered with much pain.  
1 As if they be weak of constitution, nice, tender, timorous, and afraid of pain: which makes them, that they will not force themselves, nor make their pains and throws effectual: and when the child is even ready to come forth, they shrink in themselves, with the very fear they have to feel such pain.  
2 Hypocrates saith that women, which have an Ague when they are with child, 
Hypocrates.  and become very lean without a manifest cause, do bring forth their children with great difficulty, pain, and danger: And if they do miscarry or abort, than they are in danger of their lives. The same Author saith, that those women which give but little nourishment to their children, are sooner delivered, 
Lib. de natura pueri.  and chose they that feed too much, are longer ere they be brought a bed.  
3 They that have been troubled with any sicknesses; as the bloody flux or other flux of the belly, Convulsions, flux of blood: or that have any tumour, ulcer, or scar which hath happened by being heretofore badly delivered; or any other accident that hath made the neck of the womb hard, close and strait, which is a means that it cannot be dilated, and enlarged, or else which have the entrance, or passage stopped with some flesh or membrane, that is natural unto them: that is to say which they have had from their birth: All these (I say) are delivered with great pain, and difficulty, yea and oftentimes do lose their lives thereby.  
Now some will think it very strange, and almost incredible, to find a woman that should be with child, and yet a maid, 
A thing worthy to be observed.  there being even from her birth a membrane that stoppeth the passage, and hindereth the man from entering. Where as it is necessary for conception, that a woman should have the entire fruition or company of the man, and that he should not only enter within the outward passage of the womb, but even to the inner neck thereof, to carry thither the seed, and there to mingle it with the woman's. But stories in this kind make us believe the contrary; seeing there is no such necessity that the man's seed should be carried, and cast so deep. For in some Women the womb is so greedy, and liquorish that it doth even come down to meet nature, sucking, and (as it were) snatching the same, though it remain only about the mouth and entrance of the outward orifice thereof.  

A story of Auerrhoes.  Auerrhoes tells a story of a woman that became with child, only by drawing in (as she bathed herself) the seed of a man that was bathed in the said Bath.  

A true story.  The year 1607. in May, Master de la Nove the King's Chirurgeon in Ordinary, and sworn in the Chastelet of Paris, was called to search a young Woman the wife of a Goldsmith, who had been cited by her Husband to appear before the Official of Paris: alleging, that she was not capable nor fit by nature, to be married: which was an occasion that German Hassart a Midwife, and myself were sent for to search her. Where we found, that in the very entrance of the womb, there was a membrane so strong, hard, and thick, that a man's finger, (and much less the other part) was not able to break it open; he having oftentimes made trial to do it, whereby he had incurred a Paraphimosis: And therefore it was concluded, that her husband had a just cause to cite her, but yet for all this, that it was curable.  
Whereupon her Husband thought good to call Master de Leurye, and Pietre, sworn Chirurgeons at Paris: then we all there concluded with a general consent, to make an incision, of the said Membrane, which was done; and dressed and healed, to her Husband's content: only he was somewhat doubtful of that, which the said de La Nove had observed, and told him, that his wives belly was big, and that she was qualmish and distasted, vomiting every morning, which made him suspect that she was with child: whereupon a Midwife told him that there was no likelihood, nay it was impossible to think that a young woman of eighteen years of age should be with child, her husband having never entered within her maiden cloister: and that with threshing only at the barn door, she could not be full. Whereupon Master Pietre, was sent for, who though at first he could not be induced to believe it, yet at length, having well considered thereof, gave his judgement, that she was with child, which proved true, for about some four Months after the incision was made, she was happily delivered at her full time of a fair daughter.  
Mad. Scaron sent for me, to help a Farmer's wife, 
Another story.  that was great with child, and ready to lie down, who had had the outward orifice of her womb, for the space of four or five years, so perfectly closed, glued and joined together, that it was impossible to put a little probe therein: the which had happened unto her, by being ill delivered, by means whereof, the entrance of the outward neck of the womb, had been exulcerated, and the ulcers cicatriz'd, and the sides of the said neck joined together: and yet for all this she proved with child. At the time of her delivery, by the advise and council of Master Riolan, and Charles the King's professors in Physic, and Regent Doctor in the faculty of Physic at Paris, Brunet, Paradis, Riollan, Fremin, Rabigois: and Serre (Queen Marguerites Chirurgeon) Mitton, and Choffinet, Master Barber chirurgeons at Paris, Honore the King's Chirurgeon, and myself, I say by the advise of all these, there was an incision made, then presently the Speculum dilatatorium was so well applied, that all the Cicatrizes were enlarged, which succeeded so prosperously, that within three hours after, she was delivered with much ease.  

The delivery that is too soon or too late, doth prove difficult.  4 The travail may likewise prove difficult, and painful, when the woman is delivered before or after her time; before her time, as when it comes in the sixth, seventh, or eighth month: which happens when the womb is too moist and weak, or else full, and as it were stuffed with much slime, which doth so moisten the neck thereof, that it is enlarged and dilated before the limited time. As also the vessels, to the orifices whereof, the after burden is fastened, do begin to be relaxed, which causeth that the child cannot be supported nor remain in his natural situation. By which change, finding the inner orifice loosened, and enlarged: and the membrane wherein the waters are contained, and in which the child swimmeth, to be very small, and thin: it begins to break, which maketh the child out of order, and so causeth difficult delivery. As also too much dryness, 
Effect of too much dryness.  as it were, want of nourishment, when the mother is not well nourished, having not wherewith to sustain the child, which makes the said child, not having sufficient nourishment, to turn and wind himself seeking about for it, and casts itself down, and unloosneth his bed (which is the afterburthen) from the sides of the womb: and in the end breaks the membrane wherein the waters are contained, and striveth to come forth, for the most part out of order. The like happeneth to them, that go till the tenth, or eleventh month: because the child through the length of time, that it stayeth in the mother's womb, doth grow, and wax bigger, though the parts of the mother, whereby the child (being thus big) is to come forth, and pass through, are not increased or enlarged at all; which causeth (the passages being not able to be sufficiently dilated and widened) great anguish, and pain, to the mother especially, she being weakened in all her parts, that serve for the expulsion, and bringing forth of the child: which among the rest, are the Matrice, and the Muscles of the upper belly; which being stretched beyond measure, through the greatness and bigness of the child, do enlarge the fibres, which cannot afterward be so easily drawn together, having lost their proper force, and strength.  
And this may be manifestly perceived, 
A good observation.  in those that cannot make water; the bladder being too full, that although the passage be opened by a probe, yet the Chirurgeon is constrained to press the belly, so to help the fibres of the bladder, to close, and fold themselves together. Besides, the child filling up all the space that is in the womb, cannot help itself so well in thrusting forward, being, as it were, fettered, and locked fast therein.  

Causes from the child.  3. The like hindrance of delivery may proceed from the child, who having attained unto the ninth month, is not able to come into the world, either through weakness, and feebleness; or because he is not perfected, and ripened as he should, and so hath not sufficient strength to dissolve the ligaments, and vessels: and to break asunder the membranes, wherein he is enclosed: which causeth, that after he hath strived in the ninth month, and attempting it again in the tenth, 
A double conflict of the child.  he is not able to strive so lustily for his coming forth, having been weakened with forcing himself the month before. And it is most certain, that the child's staying, in the womb after the ninth month, doth proceed only from want of vital heat, which is in the heart; 
Why the child is stayed from coming forth.  or that he hath it not in sufficient quantity to desire the Air, which we draw in to cool us: or that all the parts of his body, are not strong, and able enough, to draw unto them sufficient nourishment.  

Another cause of difficult delivery.  This difficulty of delivery happens also, when the child is either sick, or dead; and is not able to help itself: as likewise, when he is too big in all his body, and chiefly in the head: or if he be a Monster, having two heads, two bodies, four arms, or legs: or if they be Twins; th'one hindering the others coming forth: 
divers situations of the child.  which will be evident by the bigness of the Mother: or if he be ill placed to come forth, putting foremost an arm, or a leg, or both; the shoulder, buttocks, side, or belly coming foremost.  
4 Now concerning that which is annexed to the child, the delivery proves difficult, 
cause from things annexed to the child.  if the membranes, that contains the water, whereon the child doth float, and swim, be firm, solid, and hard, that it cannot, but very hardly be broken: or that the said membrane be so thin, that it breaks too soon, and before the child be well turned, and ready to follow the said water, which serves to carry him, and make him come forth the easier: For the child that remains dry, cometh into the world with much pain.  
Likewise, if the afterburthen offer itself first, and that it stop the passage: or if there be a Mole, or false Conception; As also if the woman have not been lately at stool, or made water: 
The retention of excrements hinders the delivery.  the which is cause, that the great gut being full, may close the neck of the womb: as likewise the bladder being full may press it down, because it is placed between them both. Whence it is commonly said in the proverb; Que l'enfant est situé enter le boire, & le manger, which is; That the child is seated, between the meat, and the drink. And therefore, all the aforesaid accidents must be remedied accordingly.   

The means to help Women that are delivered with difficulty. CHAP. IX.  
THat a Woman, 
Direction for the Chirurgeon.  which is delivered with difficulty, and much pain, may be helped: the Chirurgeon ought to know, what is the cause thereof, and from whence this difficulty doth proceed: that he may the better cure it.  
If it be, because the Mother is to gross, or fat, and chiefly in her natural parts, as also if there be any store of fat offer itself; (as I have seen it oftentimes happen in great striving, and throws,) yea, and that in such sort, that it did even stop the passage of the child; Then the Chirurgeon, (as gently as he can possibly) must thrust back, and put aside with one hand, the said fat, not tearing or hurting it, 
Means to help them that are too fat.  lest it be spoiled and corrupted afterwards; holding it still down on the one side, till the child be come forth of the womb, keeping it always from falling down into the passage, and among the bones, when the child is ready to come forth.  

Considerations for the Bladder.  But when part of the bladder, is sunk down and relaxed, and is manifestly perceived in the entrance of the womb: then must he do the like, as he did to the fat, holding it aside upward, with the flat of two or three of his fingers, until the child's head be past the Os Pubis. If he find then (as it may so come to pass) that the said bladder be full of urine: the woman in travail not having made water, 
The woman must be provoked to make water.  a good while before; then must he cause her to make water, by putting a fit instrument gently into the bladder. For it is seen in some, that the fibres, 
An Observation.  which do contract the bladder, and make it drive out the urine, are so weakened, and also the whole body thereof, that the urine cannot come forth.  
Some women have been deceived, 
A thing worthy to be noted.  by taking the said bladder, thus full with urine, for the waters which come before the child, causing the said bladder to be broken: the which is worthy of great consideration. Also the said neck of the bladder may be stopped, by reason of some carnosity, Inflammation, or stone, 
A notable story.  which I have seen an honest woman, there being a stone fallen down into the neck in her bladder, that stopped her urine, which being put aside by the probe, she made water: Nevertheless, when the child was ready to come forth, the stone returning in to the said neck of the bladder again, did so fret and hurt it, through the long stay, that the child's head made in the passage, that it grew to an Impostume and suppuration, which made a little hole, through the which she hath long time made her water, not being able to hold or retain it; which is a story worthy to be marked. But as the urine may be sometimes stopped, so likewise the excrements of the great gut may be retained: which happening, it will be more than necessary for the cure thereof, to give the woman a Clyster, that may both unload her, of her excrements, 
The excrements must be voided.  and likewise help and make her delivery the more easy.  
I myself was present at the travail of a poor sick woman, 
Another story.  that had not been at stool in ten days before, whose great gut was so filled and stuffed with excrements, as hard as a stone, that it was impossible for her to receive a Clyster; and we were constrained, before she could be delivered, to get out all the said excrements, otherwise it had been impossible, to have taken forth the child.  
To help and succour one that is lean and barren, or else of little stature, as also such as are either too old, or too young: they must have recourse long before hand, unto medicines that shall mollify, moisten, and relax; not only the membranes, which ought to be dilated and stretched, that they may be made more supple and gentle; But likewise you must anoint the Cartilages, and Ligaments that join the Os pubis, Sacrum, Os Coccygis, and Ilium, which must be done with ointments already set down, and even in the very hour of the delivery, anoint all the said parts therewith.  
Some mislike not, about the end of the ninth month, to bathe the woman, either with a general or particular bath, as we have heretofore appointed; as likewise to give her, every morning, eight or ten days before her lying in, this Drink. 
A Drink to make easy the delivery. Take Oil of sweet Almonds, drawn without fire, an ounce, water of Parietary, two ounces, mingle th●m together, and let her drink it.  The which I have oftentimes tried in many women, and among the rest, in Madam cap, who before had been many times delivered with much pain and sorrow, of her children, dead. But since I counseled her to use this medicine, she hath been delivered (thanks be to God) very fortunately of many children living. The same remedies do likewise serve for them, that have any callosity, or hardness, in the passage of Nature.  
The weak and dainty women must be fed with yolks of eggs, cullis, a tossed with wine and sugar, 
Remedy for the dainty.  or Hyppocras: and that a little at a time, and often, you may also give them a little confection of Alhermes dissolved, either in wine or Hippocras: Cinnamon water also that is well made, and not too strong, is very fit and good.  
And if the fear of the pain doth hinder the delivery, than the woman must be encouraged, 
Fear of pain.  telling her that she shall be quickly freed from this sickness, and that it is common unto all women, to have such pains, cherishing her with good hopes, assuring her that her travail will be very easy, and promising her, 
A good deceit.  that she shall have either a son or a daughter, according as you know she desires, as we have said before, flattering and soothing her as much as you can, without chiding or giving her any cross speeches at all.  
The most grievous and troublesome accident, 
cause of the most troublesome delivery  which a Woman can have, that is in travail, is when there happens unto her, any flux, of blood, or Convulsions; for either of them kill both the Mother and the child instantly, especially, if the flux of blood continue long: because through the great loss of blood (which is the lives treasure) the spirits and heat are dissolved.  
And concerning Convulsions, 
Why Convulsions are dangerous.  they are very dangerous; because the brain being hurt, it cannot afford such store of spirits as are needful, for the respiration of the Mother, and the child, who breath's only by means of the spirits, that are imparted unto him by the Arteries of his mother, which causeth him to be choked and stifled. Besides, the great convulsion, makes the Midrife, and the muscles of the upper belly, move so violently, that the child is much shaken, and puts both him and his mother in danger to be stifled, and die.  

What must be done in fluxes and convulsions.  Either of these accidents happening, or else both together, the mother and the child must be succoured without any delay, which shall be done (to speak in a word) by delivering her. And this aught to be done, either by the help of a Chirurgeon, or else of a very skilful Midwife.  

Lib. de super faetatione. A good sentence of Hypocrates.  Hypocrates well observed it, when he saith. If in a difficult travail there happen a great flux of blood, without any pain before the travail, then is there danger lest the child come forth dead, or that he will not live, and therefore she must be suddenly delivered, the which we have oftentimes seen (to our great grief) happen unto divers women, that have died, through the obstinasy of their friends and kinsfolks; yea and some also through their Physicians and Chirurgeons fear, who delayed the time, thinking, and hoping that the flux would stay: telling them that the child came naturally, being well placed, with his head forward and that the mother should be delivered even of herself.  
I know there be many, both Physicians and Chirurgeons, that will appoint divers inward, and outward medicines, yea to make rewlsion and altar the course of blood, will cause a vain to be opened in the arm once or twice: rather than consent to this practise. But yet of all their medicines, I could never see any that did good, but that in the end they were constrained to use the hand: the which I counsel to be done speedily, and chiefly if the mother be at her full time, and ready to lie down; which may be both known of the woman, and also perceived by the throws she hath, or which went before: as also by the dilatation of of the inner orifice of the womb, which will be open: and likewise feeling with the finger, that the waters are gathered and ready to come and issue forth. 
A good observation.  And when the water shall be broken and come away, then so much the rather must the child be taken out; though the woman have not gone above four, five, six, seven, or eight months. 
Sometimes the waters must be let forth.  And ye must note that if the said water be not broken, and that the flux of blood be very great; than you shall let forth the water, by dilating, and stretching gently the inner orifice of the womb: thereby to draw forth the child, as we will show hereafter.  
But because many women are subject to a flux of blood, in their fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, 
Caution concerning the flux of blood  or eighth month of childbearing: being not as yet ready to be delivered: therefore the Chirurgeon must observe from what place this blood is sent, the which may be from the entrance or Vagina of the womb, and not from within the body thereof, where the child is contained, and enclosed, which may be easily perceived, if the woman have no throws, or if the inner orifice of her womb be not open, but close shut: then there is no likelihood of any delivery towards, for blood may issue and come from the said outward neck, 
When they must not be delivered in a flux of blood  or Vagina, both in maid and woman with child: If it be so, than it will not be needful, to meddle with such women, or to force them at all, but only you must proceed to medicines, that shall stay the said flux of blood. As we will show in the chapter of the after purge that flow immoderately in women newly delivered.  

A worthy sentence of Hypocrates. Lib. 1. de Morb. Mulier.  It may also happen because the woman is plethorical, and full of blood: In this case we must follow the opinion of Hypocrates, who saith, that if a woman that is in travail, cannot be delivered, and that her pains continue many days: if she be young, lusty, and full of blood you may let her bleed in the foot, if her strength will bear it.  

Other accidents that may hinder the delivery.  But if she be troubled with any ulcer, tumour, excrescence of flesh, hemorrhoids, inflammation, chaps, or the like, which may chance in the neck of the womb; then shall she be handled, as we will show in their proper places. All the which indispositions may make the delivery difficult, and cause, that the parts cannot be dilated, according as it is sit and necessary, for the child's coming forth.  
For remedying the delivery, that is too soon, or too late: we must have regard unto the cause, and according thereto it must be cured, and chiefly that, which shall concern the mother; whereof we will treat, when we come to speak of the Abortment: it being my purpose in this place, to speak only of those things which are fit, and aught to be done in the time, and at the hour of the delivery.  
Now for the comforting of a woman, 
Cure when the fault is from the child.  and easing of her travail, when the difficulty doth proceed from the child; as when he is weak, tender, sickly, or dead: as likewise if he be too big, or a monster having two heads, or if he be ill turned, and that he offer himself amiss: then the Chirurgeon in this case shall help, and set to his hand in this manner.  
First, if it be through the weakness, or tenderness of the child being sick: the Chirurgeon must not delay one minute of time, 
When the delivery must be hastened.  to hasten the delivery, and he must encourage the woman to do the like. If the head come first, then shall he proceed therein gently, as in the natural delivery: applying beneath, and chiefly about the fundament, and os Pubis, which are the two utmost parts of the natural passage, some ointments with the fingers ends, 
Ointments made for the purpose.  having his nails pared very close. For this anointing will provoke and stir up the Matrice, to thrust out the child. The ointment is this.  
Ointment. ℞. Axung. Anser. Gallin. saepius in aq. Arthem. lot. an. ℥ is. Axung. porcirecent. ℥ i. Butiri recent. ℥ ij. Mucilag. sem. Lini, Cydonior. in aq. Sabinae, vel Artemis: extract. an. ʒ vi. Ol. de Castor. ℥ i. Galliae. moschat. ʒ i Ladani ʒ is. Libethi ʒ s. misce omnia simul pro litu.  
He for his part must encourage the mother, giving her a little Confectio Alkermes, and likewise let her take this Clyster.  ℞. Bismal. cum. Radic. Matricar. Mercur. an. m. i. aristoloch. 
A Clyster.  nostrat. Dictamni. Arthemis. an. m. s. Flo. Lavandul. p. s. sem. Lini. foenugraec. an. ℥ s. fol. senae mundat. ʒ vi. fiat omnium decoctio, de qua cape quart. iij. in quibus dissolve, Diophoenic. Hierae simplic: an ʒ iij. Ol. Rutac. Cheyrin. an. ℥ ij. fiat Clyster. 
She may also take this drink, which I have known to do good to many.  
A Drink. ℞. Corr. Cass. fistul. contus. ℥ s. Cicer. rub. m. s. Dictum. Aristoloch. rotund. an ʒ i. fol. senae mundat. Hermodactyl. an ʒ ij. fl. Lavandulae ʒ s. fi. Decoctio in aqua Arthemis. & Petroselini. ad ℥ iij. in quibus dissolve Cinamomi. ʒ i Croci. gr. vi. fiat Potio: this potion is to be given in extremity.  
Amatus Lusitanus doth much commend this medicine. 
Amatus Lusitanus.   
℞. Cinamoni. Troch. è Myrrah an ʒ s. Croci ℈ s. excipiatur cum vino generoso.  

Rondeles.  Roddeletius doth praise this.  
℞. Sem. Lavandul. ʒ ij. Sem. Endiu. Plantag. an. ℈ ij. Piperis ℈ i. fiat pulvis Aq. Caprifol. Endiviae an ℥ ij. fiat Potus.  
Another.  
L'obolius approveth this drink, and saith that it will even expel, and bring forth the dead child.  
Lobel. ℞. Confect. Alkerm. sem. Lavandul. Endiu. Plantag. an. ℈ ij. Troch. de Myrrah. Borac. an ℈ s. Castor. ℈ i. Aq. Arthemis. Buglos. vini albi an. ℥ ij. fiat potus.  
Another.  ℞. Borac. ʒ i.s. Cinamoni. ℈ ij. Crocig r. iij. fiat pulvis & cum aq. Arthemis. ℥ vi. fiat potus.  

Of divers deliveries wherein the operation of the hand is used. And first what the Chirurgeon ought to consider before he sets to his hand. CHAP. X.  
WHen the Chirurgeon shall be called to deliver a woman that is in travail and cannot be delivered naturally: before he venture to do any thing, he must consider two things: 
Two things must be considered in these deliveries.  the first is to know whether the mother have strength enough to endure the violence of Manual operation: and having found that she is able, he must then search, whether the child be dead, or alive, for sometimes the child is taken dead, and sometimes alive out of the mother's womb.  
Now as concerning the Mother: 
Considerations concerning the mother.  First the Chirurgeon must behold her face, hear her speak, observe her doings, countenance, & behaviour, then presently must he feel her pulse, which if he find to be equal, strong, not intermitting, and that she be not much changed from her wont disposition? and likewise if the poor woman, her friends and kinsfolks do entreat him to help her, assuring him, that she will courageously endure; all that he shall do unto her: then following the advise of her kinsfolks and friends, 
The mother doth hazard her life in the delivery.  he must go about it: foretelling them nevertheless; that this kind of practice is very dangerous, and that the mother venter's her life, seeing that the child is either dead; or else likely to die, if he be not already.  
But if the Chirurgeon find, that her face and speech is decayed, and weakened, her countenance changed, her pulse small frequent, sometime intermitting and formicant: and that she hath often swoonings, 
remedies must not be dis●amed.  Convulsions, and cold sweats: then he must forbear for fear lest he be blamed, and thereby discredit those means which should have profited, and may also do good unto others.  

Signs of the child's being alive.  Now you may know by these signs whether the child be alive, or dead. If the child stir it is a sign he is alive; which the Mother may conjecture, and also the Chirurgeon, by laying his hand upon her belly. And for the better assurance hereof, he must slide up his hand into the Woman's Matrice, and search for the child's Navel. If, in holding it between his fingers, he feel a beating of the Arteries, as also, if by laying his hand upon the child's temples, or else handling the wrist or sole of his foot he find, that the Arteries do beat, and likewise, if in putting his finger into the child's mouth he perceive that he either suck, or wag his tongue, it is a sign that he is alive.  

Signs that the child is dead.  chose, if the foresaid things do not concur, and that the mother feel a heaviness, and that in turning of herself, (whether it be on the right side, or the left) the child doth fall like a bowl, if her belly be cold, and that there comes an ill sent from her, if her breath smell strong, and her countenance look wan, and of the colour of lead: and that the child's Navel, or after birth offer itself foremost, beside, if the chirurgeon, putting his hand up, finds the child to be cold, without pulse, neither sucking, nor moving his tongue: then I say it may be judged, that the child is dead.  
But as the child may offer himself, being dead, 
The child cometh after divers fashions.  in divers positions, or fashion; So likewise must we use divers considerations and means to draw him forth: as we will more particularly show hereafter.   

The means to help a woman in travail, having withal a flux of blood, or Convulsions. CHAP. XI.  
WE have show'd you before, that a woman being in travail, and having either a flux of blood, or Convulsions, she must be speedily helped, because the deferring or delay thereof, will endanger her life.  
Wherefore you must proceed herein after this manner. And since that in every delivery, the situation is a matter of great consequence, 
Situation fit in all deliveries.  to make it the more facile and easy: therefore you must begin in this sort.  

The right placing of them.  First the woman must be laid overthwart a bed, both for the better conveniency of the Chirurgeon, or Midwife, that shall deliver her, and also that she may be held, and stayed behind the faster, by some strong body, 
The commodity thereof.  so that she neither slip forward, nor backward, in the operation or drawing forth of the child. Likewise, there must be one on each side of her to hold her knees and thighs firm, and to keep them asunder one from another: her knees must be bowed, and her heels drawn upward, (as we have said before in the Natural delivery,) her head must be laid upon a bolster lying cross the bed; her back being a little raised, and her hips lifted somewhat higher, with pillows laid under them, and her hinder parts must lie within half a foot of the bed's side. She must have a linen cloth three or four times double laid upon her stomach and belly, that may reach down over her knees, even to the midst of the leg: So that neither wind, nor cold may offend her, nor any of the assistants see what the Chirurgeon toucheth, or doth: and likewise, that the woman be not afraid of him, when he shall be about his business. And therefore Hypocrates for this reason, would have the woman's eyes shut or covered.  
When the woman is thus placed, the Chirurgeon must put up his hand (being first anointed) into the first entrance of the natural parts, 
The clots of blood must be taken away.  that he may take forth all the clots of blood, which he shall find there.  
Then he must consider, whether the inner neck be wide enough for him to thrust in his hand, and to turn the child, if it be needful: Now if the inner neck be not sufficiently dilated, 
The inner neck may be dilated.  then shall he, as gently as possibly he can, and without any violence (having first annionted all the parts thereof with fresh Butter, or some ointment) stretch it by little and little, till he get in his hand: if the water be not broken, he need not be afraid to let it out: then presently if the child come with his head foremost, he shall turn him gently to find his feet, which he may do more easily, then if the waters had been let forth before: because, that much moisture doth make the child slide, and turn better, then when he is dry. And when he hath found one of his feet, he must draw it gently without violence, and tie about it a piece of ribbon, with a sliding knot, 
How the feet may be found  that he may put the foot in again (leaving the ribbon hanging out) to make the more room for his hand to go in and search for the other foot, which may be done by sliding his hand all along the child's thigh. And having found them both, he shall draw them out gently in a direct line, giving the woman a little breathing, and bidding her to strain herself when she feels any throws, or pains, than the Chirurgeon (having in a readiness a fine linen cloth warm, he must wrap it about the child's thighs, for fear lest he slip out of his hand, if he took him naked) and so pluck gently, until his buttocks appear, and the body with the head doth follow; observing nevertheless, that his belly and breast be turned downward, as we will show hereafter more particularly.  
Experience will make it manifest unto us, by the stories following, how necessary it is to deliver a woman with child, when a flux of blood, or convulsions do continue: and that she cannot be saved by ordinary medicines.  

A story.  The year 1599 Madam Simon yet alive daughter to Mr. Pareus, Counsellor, and chief Chirurgeon to the King; being ready to lie down was surprised with a great flux of blood, having about her Mad. lafoy Charomie for her Midwife, and likewise Mr. Hautin the King's Physician in ordinary, and Mr. Rigault Doctors of Physic in Paris, and because of great swoonings that took her every quarter of an hour through the loss of blood she had: Master Merchant my son in law and myself were sent for; But I finding her almost without pulse, having her voice weak, 
The Chirurgeon must foretell the danger.  and her lips pale: I told her mother and her husband that she was in great danger of her life, and that there was but one way to save her, which was, to deliver her speedily: the which I had seen practised by the late Mr. Pareus her Father, who had caused me to do the like, unto a Gentlewoman of Mad. de Seneterre. Then her mother, and her husband earnestly entreated us to help her, and that they would put her into our hands to dispose of her. And so suddenly, following the advise of the Physicians, she was very happily delivered of a lively child.  

Another story.  The year 1600. I was commanded to go and visit a great Lady, that was taken with a great and violent flux of blood, through a fright she had of a great thunder clap: being come unto her, 
They must rest in a flux of blood.  I found that her flux was much mitigated: but she being constrained to go twelve, or fifteen leagues from Paris, and fearing least that the said flux should continue, she was brought thither by my son in law Mr. Merchant by water: where she was no sooner arrived, but her flux of blood took her again, which made him dislike it, and judge that it would prove ill, contrary to the opinion of Master de la Riviere, the King's chief Physician, who was there at the same time: Whereupon, I was presently sent for in post together with Master Renard the King's Physician. We being come thither, found things in better estate; and the said Master de la Riviere, took leave to go towards the King. But on a sudden the said flux began a fresh, which made them send for Mr. Marescot, and Mr Martin, the king's Physicians, who notwithstanding were not come before her delivery: which the kinsfolks & friends of the said Lady, and likewise Mr Renard, Mr Marchant, and myself, were of opinion to hasten, because of the great loss of blood she had, and the often swounning that took her: but as soon as she was delivered, the flux of blood ceased.  
The year 1603, Madame Danzé, or Chece, 
The third story.  being in travail, was taken with the like flux of blood, which held her from morning till eight or nine of the clock at night; having with her the Queen's Midwife, Mad. Boursiere, Master le Fieure, Riolan, Le Moine, regent Doctors in the faculty of Physic at Paris, and Mr de Saint german master Apothecary, were called to look unto her; and because she lost much blood, they called Mr Honoré the king's Chirurgeon, who being unwilling to attempt any thing without my advise, I was likewise sent for. And as soon as I was come, my opinion with the rest of the company was, to deliver her: which was done by the said Honoré, the child living.  

The fourth history.  Of late memory, Mad. Coulon (being assisted in her travail by Mad. la Charonne, a very skilful Midwife,) having a great flux of blood; after that Mr Martin, Hautin, Cornuty, Pietre, the king's Physicians, and Doctors of Paris, had given her many things for the staying of the said flux, in the end for fear least by losing her blood, she might also lose her life, falling into a syncope: with their advise she was delivered, by the said Honoré, and presently her flux was stayed.  

An Admonition for young chirurgeons.  But as these women and children aforesaid have been saved, by being delivered in time: So likewise these following, lost their lives, because they were not succoured, as Art and experience did require, their kinsfolks and friends being unwilling to have any go about it in due time: whereof these two histories may bear witness.  

Another story.  Mad. Vion being ready to be delivered, fell into a great flux of blood, and though some were of opinion, to deliver her without further delay; yet this being deferred upon the counsel of others, who hoped to stay the flux with ordinary medicines, they suffered her to lose her blood, by little and little, and at last to lose her life. The same chance happened to Madam Gasselin, who not having help in time, died even as it was foretold, it would come to pass; having lost all her blood, before she would give her consent to be delivered: which will be a good occasion, to admonish a young Chirurgeon, never to defer this work when he is called, and sees a great evacuation of blood. It is now five and twenty years, since I saw this practised, by the late Mr Pareus, and Mr Hubert, of whom, we are bound to acknowledge, and willingly confess, that we have learned both this and many other experiments.  
Mad. de Mommor, 
Another story agreeing with this purpose.  being about five and twenty years of age, and near her time of delivery, one day found herself ill, about four or five a clock in the morning, nevertheless she rose and went to Church, which was near her house, her pain by fits began again, and she fell into a continual flux of blood: At three days end she was delivered with great ease, without any help of the Midwife: and presently after, followed the after burden: Nevertheless she died the same day, at night: and was kept a pretty while by her friends, who could not persuade themselves, that she was dead: At last being opened by Mr Pineau, the kings sworn Chirurgeon at Paris, in the presence of Mr Faber, and Mr Baillou, regent Doctors of the faculty of Physic, at Paris; her womb was found broken, and rend, right in that place, where the vein and artery hypogastricke, ascend toward the midst thereof; which likewise were dissolved, and gave way to all that issue of blood.  
As for the convulsions which commonly happen through the child's great striving, when he desires to come forth; and (not being turned aright) doth so extend the womb that the said convulsions, follow thereupon: here it is to be feared, lest all within, will be torn and broken, 
Stories concerning convulsions.  and therefore it is convenient to deliver the woman, with all possible speed, which hath been practised both by myself, and of late by Master Binet a sworn Chirurgeon of Paris, a man of great experience, who being sent for by Doctor Bowart, to deliver Opportune Guerreau, the wife of Silvester the Printer: which had been in labour from eight a clock in the morning, till nine at night: and finding her pulse very weak and small, as also the woman deprived of all sense and motion, 
The chirurgeons wisdom  at the first he was somewhat fearful. But being entreated by her Husband, and fearing lest she might either die suddenly, or else fall into convulsions: he putting his hand into her womb, found the child's head, (the water not being broke) which he let out, and presently delivered her with much ease, and she is yet living. Therefore we need not expect, till the said convulsions grow stronger, for fear lest the womb be broken, and torn through the great striving of the child, when he is not able to come forth, as we may plainly see by the stories following.  
The year 1607. the said Master Binet was sent for, together with de le Moine, 
A wonderful story.  and Alton Master Barber Chirurgeon at Paris, to cut up the dead body of jone du Boys, and having opened her neither belly, found the child upon the guts, who had bruised & broken the womb, and passed quite through it, there being store of blood shed in the capacity of the said belly.  
Master Pineau, Guerin, 
Another story.  and Launay sworn Chirurgeons of Paris, can bear me witness, that in opening a poor woman, that died in the Hospital of the City: we found her child swimming among the guts in her belly, the bottom of her Matrice being rend and torn.   

The means to help a woman when her afterburthen comes for most. CHAP. XII.  
IF the afterburthen offer itself foremost, 
When the after burden comes foremost, there is a flux of blood.  the most sure and ready way to help the Woman is to deliver her speedily, because most commonly there follows, a continual flux of blood. For that the orifices of the veins are opened, which are spread in the sides of the womb, and there meet with the vessels of the afterburthen: and when the Matrice doth strain and force itself, to put forth the child, then doth it thrust out both the blood that is contained therein, and that which is drawn thither, either by any heat or pain. Besides, when the child is enclosed in the womb, and the orifice thereof, stopped with the afterbirth: then he cannot breathe any longer by his Mother's Arteries, 
How the child is stifled.  and so for want of help, he will be quickly choked, and even swallowed up in the blood, which is contained in the womb, and which issueth from the veins that are open therein.  
But before you attempt any thing, these two points must be observed: First, whether the afterburthen be come forth but a little, or else very much: if it be but little (when the mother is well placed) it must be thrust, 
Observations to draw forth the after burden.  and put back again with as much care, as may possibly be. And if the head of the child come first, let it be placed right in the passage, thereby to help the natural delivery, but if you find any difficulty, or if you perceive that the child's head cannot easily be brought forward, or that the child, or his mother, or both together be weak, foreseeing that the travail will be long, then without doubt the best and surest way is, to search for the feet (as we have said) and to pluck him forth gently by them.  

Another observation.  The other point to be observed is, that if the said afterbirth be much come forth, and that it cannot be put back again: as well by reason of the bigness of it, as also of the flux of blood, that commonly companies it: and likewise if the child follow it close, 
When the afterbirth must be drawn forth.  staying only to come into the world: then must the afterburthen be pulled away quite, and when it is come forth, it must be laid aside, without cutting of the string that cleaves unto it. For by the guiding of the said string, you may easily find the child, who whether he be alive or dead, must be drawn out by the legs, with as much dexterity as may be. And this must be done only in great necessity, that the child may be quickly drawn forth: as it may be easily judged by the sentence of Hypocrates, who saith, 
Lib. 1. de morbis Mulier. The afterbirth must come last.  that the afterburthen should come forth after the child, for if it come first, the child cannot live, because he takes his life from it, as a plant doth from the earth.  
Sometime it chanceth, that a part of the afterbirth, as also the membrane which contains the waters do offer itself like a skin, and comes forth sometimes the length of half a foot, which happens to such women as have the skin wherein the waters are contained swelling out to the bigness of ones fist and more, which breaking forth of themselves, leave the skinnne hanging forth, and yet the child not following it, which happening, 
It must be pulled gently.  it must not be violently pulled away: because the afterburthen oftentimes, is not wholly loosened from the sides of the womb. So that in drawing that, you shall likewise draw the said after burden, and so consequently, the womb, or else part thereof, which commonly brings the woman into extreme pains, and fainting, yea, and oftentimes to death: Which happened (to my great grief) unto a Gentlewoman, 
A story.  that died as soon as she was delivered, who putting herself into her nurse's hands, who took upon her to be a Midwife: and was so venturous, as to pluck and draw forth the said Membrane, and part of the afterburthen, which came to light by means of her Chambermaid, who had kept it, and showed it us after her decease: we being very inquisitive to know the cause of her death.  

The remedy.  But when this happens, it must not be pulled away but rather gently be thrust in again, or else you may put in your hand, between that, and the neck of the womb, to find the child's feet, and so draw him forth, as we have showed before.  
I have set down this story more at large, by reason of the great sorrow I took; for this Gentlewoman's death, whom I had delivered twice before, with mine own hands, coming not soon enough to help her the third time.   

The means to deliver a woman when her child is dead, in her womb. CHAP. XIII.  
WHen it is certainly known, that the child is dead, the woman must be placed in the same manner, as it hath been shown, where we spoke of the taking forth of the child, when there is a flux of blood.  

What must be done when the child comes ill.  If he put forth an arm, shoulder, back, belly, or other part of his body first, he must be turned with all diligence, and drawn forth by the feet, as we will more particularly declare, in every several delivery, according to the sundry fashions, wherein he may come, either alive or dead.  
If he come dead, with his head forwards, 
The woman must be speedily helped.  and that there is no hope at all of the woman's delivery without help, and that her strength begins manifestly to decay: the surest way is to apply the hand. And then the Chirurgeon shall thrust gently his left hand being wide opened, between the child's head, and the neck of the womb: and with his right hand he must put between the said head, and flat of the hand, an Iron Crotchet, such a one as you see here figured unto you.  
The figure or portaict of the Crotchet, wherewith the dead child may be drawn forth of his mother's belly, when he comes with his head forward: the which is so locked within the os pubis, that it cannot be displaced or pushed upward, to turn and draw forth the child by the feet, without much hurting the Mother, and often endangering her life. It will likewise serve to take forth a head, that remains alone in the womb: It must be ten or twelve inches long, strong, and thick, and large enough to take hold.  
Which must be fastened to the side of the child's head, as about his ear, or bone of the Temples, or in some other place if it may be done conveniently, as within the hollow of the eye, or the hinder bone of his head, the Chirurgeon keeping his left hand in the same place where he put it first, and therewith he shall wag and stir gently the child's head: 
Skill in drawing forth the child.  and at that very instant, with his right hand wherein he holds the crochet, so fastened, in any part of the head, must he draw and bring out the child: bidding the woman strive and force herself, as though she would be delivered alone. And it is to be noted, that the Chirurgeon must take his time, to draw him forth, when the woman falls into throws, for while the throws continue, the child slides forth the easier.  
Oftentimes it chanceth, that the Crotchet cannot be put high enough at the first, to draw forth the head all at once, 
Observation in using the Crotchet.  so that after it is come forward and drawn out in part, they are fain to take away the Crotchet, from the place where it was first fastened, and put it in again to take new hold higher in another place, which the Chirurgeon may do very fitly, as it hath been showed already. Likewise, if the Crotchet be not well, and surely fastened at first but that it slip, and lose the first hold, than it will be needful, to fasten, and put it in a surer place.  

The child may be surely drawn out by the shoulders.  Having drawn forth the head, and the Crotchet being taken out, the Chirurgeon shall slide in his fingers, very cunningly under the child's armpits, that he may draw forth the shoulders, and the rest of his body, for by this means he shall be easier drawn out then by the head: which must be done very leisurely, without any violence, giving the woman leave to gather her strength, and expecting till her throws come upon her.  
While the Chirurgeon is about this work, they must give the poor Woman, a little wine, or else let her suck a tossed soped in wine, or Hippocras: persuading and encouraging her, that she shall quickly be delivered.  
This manner of drawing the dead child out of the mother's womb, is safer, and speedier, 
Safe way to draw the child by the feet.  then that which is used by turning and putting back the child's head, to find his feet, and so pull him out thereby. For whensoever the child's head is much entered within the os Pubis it is impossible to thrust him upward, 
Inconveniences to turn the child.  and turn him without much endangering the Mother: and causing great contusion in the womb, from whence proceeds divers accidents, and sometime death, as I have seen it often happen.  
I know some will allege, that they have taken forth children alive, which were thought to have been dead, in the Mother's womb, with the said Crotchet: and that they have presently died, only with the hurt they received by the Crotchet, and certainly this is a cruel kind of practise. Whereto I answer, that we must diligently look, and consider, whether the child be alive or dead, before we put in the Crotchet, 
Considerations in using the Crotchet.  and if there be any appearance of life, we must defer the taking of him forth therewith, as long as we may: But being dead, I see no reason but we should take the child forth; with the said Crotchet for the causes heretofore mentioned. 
Question whether the Crotchet may be used.  But if the child be alive, it is a great question whether he ought to be pulled forth by the Crotchet, presupposing that the Mother, having lost her strength, is ready to die, except this means be used: it being more expedient to lose the Mother then the child, who would both die, if that were deferred any longer: and whether to save the Mother, (who is more dear, than the said child) this practise may be ventured. But as I think, there are none, that go about this business, but with some touch of Conscience, which being a point of Divinity, I leave to be decided by them, that are more conversant therein, than myself.   

The means to draw forth a child, that is swollen, and puffed up: in his mother's womb, together with the manner of drawing the head, when it stays behind. CHAP. XIIII.  
IF the dead child continue long in the mother's womb, 
The dead child swells and is puffed up.  he may easily be putrefied, and not only his head, breast and neither belly, swollen and filled with wind, and water, but likewise his legs and feet will be puffed up.  
This swelling, and puffing up, may also happen through all the child's body, 
The child that is alive may likewise be swollen.  though he be alive, having either the Hydro cephale, or swelling of the head, or the dropsy, either of the lungs, or belly: or else being Leucophilegmaticall. This accident happening when the child is alive, he must be helped as being alive, not delivering the Woman to the child's loss. But if he be dead, and ye perceive that his head, breast, or neither belly is swollen, or filled with wind, or waterish matter, than the Chirurgeon must put up his hand carrying in the hollowness of it a little crooked knife, very sharp, made after this fashion, & with the said knife he shall divide, and cut the part wherein the wind and water shall be enclosed, (whether it be the head, breast, or belly) which being let forth, the child will grow less, and afterwards, he may the more easily be taken out.  
The form of the Knife to divide the swollen part, which must be of this bigness here described, that it may the better be carried, within ones hand to the place that must be cut or opened, whether it be the head, breast, or belly.  
It may so happen, that the child's arm coming foremost through the long stay it makes without, as also because it hath been pulled by violence, will be swollen, yea, and even gangrened, that it cannot possibly be thrust back again, that the child may be drawn forth by the feet: If it fall out to be so, than the arm must be pulled out, as far as it can, and if it may be done conveniently, let it be cut off at the joint of the shoulder, or else as near unto it, as may be; the bone shall be cut off with sharp cutting pincers, or else sawed off very even, the skin and muscles being put aside, that so the bone may be covered, with the said flesh, muscle, and skin, which will fall over it; and also, that the bone, through his roughness, and hardness, may not hurt the sides of the womb, the stump that was cut, or sawed being put back again.  
Sometime the child's head will not follow the body, either because of the bigness thereof, or else, because the child is ill turned, that in drawing him forth, he chances to have his belly, stomach, and face lying upward: which causeth, that the body being wholly come forth, while they would also draw forth the head, the chin takes hold of the Os pubis, and being pulled violently, the body only is drawn, and the head not moved, sticketh fast.  
For the remedying whereof, that the head stay not behind: the body must be gently turned, placing the face downward: (as we said before,) for by this situation, the head being moved up and down, will be easily drawn forth with the rest of the body; by holding the body with one hand, and putting a finger of the other hand into the child's mouth.  
And when the head sticks, the Chirurgeon must thrust his left hand into the womb, and put his forefinger into the child's mouth, to stay the head, which by reason of the roundness of it, and moisture of the womb, rolls and slideth up and down, not being easily stayed; then with his right hand, let him put in the Crotchet, which must be hooked or fastened, either in the temples, hole of the ear, hollow of the eye, or else in the mouth; and then let him draw the head gently, both with the Crotchet, and also with the left hand, having his forefinger in the child's mouth, and so bring him forth as cunningly as he can: taking his time always when the Mother is in some pain, that so the child may be the easier drawn forth.   

The means to help a Woman in her travail, when the child comes with his head foremost, but having his neck awry, and his head aside. CHAP. XV.  
 depiction of child in womb: asynclitic birth  
BEing now to speak of Births that are contrary to nature, we will begin first with the Head, as being the worthiest, and most notable part of all the body. Sometimes the child comes (as he doth naturally) with the head foremost, but it is placed amiss, which may be after four several fashions; 
In how many fashions the head may be placed.  either the head lying upon the back: or upon the stomach: or else upon the edge of the shoulders, inclining towards one of the Mother's flanks, which makes that the child cannot come forth strait, and in a direct line: because his neck is bowed, and stands awry. He being thus turned, it is very hard, yea, even impossible, that the Mother should be delivered, either through any endeavour of the child's thrusting his feet against the bottom of the Matrice: nor by any labour of the woman, forcing likewise and straining herself, as much as she can possibly, by holding in her breath. But chose, the more the child strives to come forth, 
When the Mother & the child strive in vain.  and enjoy the outward air, the more he entangles and wreath's his neck, so that at last, both his strength, and the Mothers, are together much weakened, through the pain they both suffer; the child being in danger, by reason of the great compression that must needs follow the wreathing of his neck, and also by the hindrance of respiration, 
How the child breathes.  though he breathes only as yet by the Arteries of his Mother, until the afterburthen be loosened, for than he takes breath at his own mouth. The Marrow also of the back, and the sinews (being the instruments of motion) may thereby be so pressed together, that the animal spirits may be intercepted, which depriveth the child of all motion, and consequently of life: wherefore, it will be very necessary to help him speedily, which ought to be done in this sort. First, let the Mother be placed, and held after the same order we prescribed for the helping of them, that are troubled with a great Flux of blood. Then the Chirurgeon, having his hands anointed (as we said before) shall put up his right hand, being open, as gently as he can possibly, 
How to find which way the child's head leaneth.  to find on which side the head doth lean, and is turned: if the child's head lean upon his breast, his hand will meet first with the back; if it be turned toward the back, than he shall light upon the breast: or if the head lean upon one of the shoulders, than he shall find the other first, which will also be inclining somewhat toward the woman's flanks; which when he hath found, before he go about to remove the head, and bring it into his natural situation, which is to place it directly over against the neck of the Matrice, he must first with the ends of his fingers, thrust upward the body of the child, either by the shoulders, or back, or by the breast: for by this means the head of the child, will not lean so hard against the sides of the womb: 
Way to bring the head strait.  so that his neck will even come of itself to the right place. And for the better help, the Chirurgeon at the same instant shall slide in his other hand, (yet not taking out the former) wherewith finding the place where the head doth rest, and lean: he may easily draw his hand towards the side of the child's head, and so shall he bring it gently to the natural place: and by this means, the child's head will rest between his hands, to be set right. The like also may he do, by putting his hand gently, toward the hinder part of the head, and so set it right, having first thrust the child upward, either by the back, or breast: the which is seldom done, 
Another way.  because it is a surer and readier way, to thrust him up by the shoulders: and to say the truth, the child's head is oftener turned, toward the Mother's flanks, then either toward her belly, or her back.   

The means to help a Woman in travail, when the child comes with the hand and arm together, with the head foremost. CHAP. XVI.  
THe child should come into the world, with his head forward, and if there be any thing that comes with it, it is contrary to nature. If the hand, and arm, offer themselves, and come forth of the womb, this travail is contrary to nature, and therefore dangerous: because the arm takes up the room, 
The hand coming forth, hinders the delivery.  the head should have, & hinders it from coming right; according as it is turned, either to the right side, or to the left; or else upward; the head leaning upon the back: or downward, being placed upon the breast: (as we show'd in the last Chapter, when the neck stands awry,) which unless it be helped in time, it will be very hard for him to come safe into the world. For the hand, and arm, coming forth, by reason of their tenderness, and softness, being never so little crushed, or held in the air: they are quickly altered, and spoiled, and will be swollen, and puffed up exceedingly: yea, and sometime fall into a Gangrene, 
The arm coming forth, falls into a Gangrene.  which I have often seen come to pass: and therefore it will be very necessary to redress it speedily.  
But especially, the Chirurgeon must take heed of pulling the said hand, or arm; because it is impossible, 
Inconvenience of drawing the child by the arm.  he should draw him out thereby: For how much the more the arm is thrust, whether it be by the Mothers, or the child's striving, or else by the Chirurgeon, who labours to pull it out: so much the more will it make the head and neck to bow, and bend; either toward the stomach, back, or sides: it being impossible that the head and arm should come forth both together, because the said head is so enfolded, and engaged, in one of the said places: and therefore this order must be observed herein.  

The practise.  First, the Mother must be laid upon her back, her head and neck lying somewhat low, and her hips somewhat raised: then the Chirurgeon, having his hands oiled (as before) shall anoint, all the woman's parts with that hand, which is most fit, according to the diverse situation of the child. If the hand only come forth, he shall take it, at the top of the wrist, and so thrust it back, as high as he can, guiding it all along the sides and flanks of the child: and having placed it there, he must pull back his hand to give place to the child's head, which at the same instant, with his other hand, must be brought and put, right against the neck of the womb: And the better to set it aright, he must with both his hands being spread abroad, and placed on each side the head, thrust the shouldert upward, with the ends of his fingers, (as we show'd in the former Chapter) that the child's head may be set in the midst: which will be easy for him to do, in taking the child's temples of his head, between both his hands, and by that means set it strait. And when this is done, 
The woman must be heartened.  let him suffer the woman to rest herself a little, assuring her, that her child is well placed, and that by and by, he will come naturally into the world: The rest shall be performed, as we have show'd in the natural Delivery; placing the woman after the same order, as hath been said. But if it chance, that the child be dead, and that the arm be gangrened, and so swollen, that it cannot be put back, then must it be helped in the same manner as we have showed before, which ought to be done with all speed: for fear of the putrefaction, that may happen unto it.   

The means to help the travail, wherein the Child comes with both his hands, arms, and head foremost. CHAP. XVII.   depiction of child in womb 

The delivery where both arms come foremost is not so dangerous.  Notwithstanding this may be said to be less dangerous for the child, because howsoever he strive to come forth, and for all the throws that the Woman can have, yet the child cannot wreathe or turn his neck aside. But yet to say the truth, it is more troublesome, both for the Mother, and the Chirurgeon, yea; and sometimes for the child also.  
But the best way to proceed herein is, 
The practice.  that the Chirurgeon, after he hath placed the woman (as is aforesaid) having his hands anointed, as also the parts of the Woman, he shall gently put in his right hand, and bring one of the child's arms to his due place, by stretching it out at length, along by the flanks and thighs; and presently with drawing that hand, he shall thrust in his left, to bring the other arm into his place, as he did the former. This being done, he shall mark, whether the head of the child be placed right, in the mean time suffering the woman to take some ease, not holding her so much back, as when he placed the arms of the child. Then shall he place her, as in a natural birth, but if he find that the head of the child be turned aside, and be not set direct against the passage, as it useth to be in a natural birth, then shall he gently put in both his hands joined together, and presently opening them, he shall touch only with the ends of his fingers, both the shoulders of the child, and put him back easily toward the bottom of the Matrice: and being so put back, the head of the child will come between his hands, which he shall easily place aright against the passage (as is aforesaid) by taking both sides of his head, or temples between his hands, and so the delivery shall be performed naturally.   

The means to help the mother when the child comes with one, or both feet foremost. CHAP. XVIII.  
Whensoever the child, coming into the World, doth put one or both his feet foremost, the Chirurgeon shall place the Woman (as it hath been oftentimes told,) & having his hands anointed, let him choose whether he will draw the child forth by the feet: or else if he think it better, to put back either one or both the feet, and so turn him, and bring his head strait to his passage. For my part, I think it the better & safer way to draw him forth by the feet, then to turn him upside down, and lift his feet upward, thereby to bring his head downward to the passage. And therefore, 
What must be observed concerning the child.  whether he come with one, or both his feet forward, the greatest care must be to know how his whole body is placed, & lies in his Mother's womb: as whether his face and belly be turned toward the mother's back, and his shoulders, back, and buttocks towards her Navel: likewise whether his arms be separated from his thighs, flanks, and sides, which ought also to be diligently observed in all births that are contrary to Nature, especially, in those, when the child is drawn forth by the feet: For when you draw him out of the womb, with his buttocks, back, and hinder parts of the head, turned toward the back of the Mother, and his face toward her Navel, and belly, then without doubt the feet, buttocks, body and shoulders, of the child being drawn forth, when the head cometh to the os pubis, it will hang therein: which being so catched it will be very hard, nay impossible, to draw forth the child: and if you draw him too violently, it is to be feared lest you break his neck, especially if the child be too big, or his head great. Therefore when you have drawn him by the feet till he is come forth, as far as the buttocks, and waste, before you draw him any further, you must mark diligently the position of the body, whether the belly breast, and face, be upward, or no. For if he be so placed, before you draw him any further, you must turn him upside down, which you shall perform, if you hold him fast by the buttocks, and hips, with both your hands, and turn the whole body (withal drawing it gently) and so bring the belly, breast, and face downward, which being done, you shall draw him forth with ease, without danger of staying, or carrying the head upon os pubis: which must needs happen, if the child were drawn with the face upwards. And this have I well observed, being called to the delivery of some women, where this chance, (for want of good heed taking) hath happened, the head sticking within, and putting us to great trouble, to draw it forth. Beside, 
An observation when the two arms are stretched out.  when the body is thus situated, if both the arms be stretched out above the head, you shall bring down one of them close to the side, and let the other stay stretched out, that when the shoulders, are come forth, the said arm may be as it were a stay, or splint to the neck, for the passage of the head, to hinder the passage from shutting or closing up, and fastening about the neck of the child, and so hinder the child from coming forth, notwithstanding oftentimes, the child is so slender and little, that so soon as the shoulders are come out presently the head follows after, and needeth not, the help of an arm, to be a rest for the neck.   depiction of child in womb: breech birth  depiction of child in womb: breech birth 
Being at Moret with Count Charles, I was called, 
A story.  together with the late Mons: de la Cord, one of the King's Physicians, to deliver a poor woman, which had been in travail two days and two nights: the waters being broken, and the child left dry, the neck of her Matrice was closed, she being no more urged with pains or throws, which I observed by slipping up my hand, unto the said neck, and getting two of my fingers therein, where feeling one of the child's feet, I persuaded myself that I should deliver her well, which I did in this sort.  
First, when I had placed her well, I anointed my hands with butter and hog's grease melted together, and with store thereof, I anointed the inward neck of the Matrice, as well as possibly I could: and when I had somewhat dilated the said neck, with three of my fingers I cast a ribbon with a sliding knot, upon the child's foot, fastening it gently: and then dilating again the said neck, I found out the other foot, upon which I slipped another ribbon, as I had done upon the former: Then did I draw both the ribbons, and brought the two feet together, which when I had drawn out, unto the buttocks, I began again to anoint, as before, then taking a napkin, lest it should slip, I bade the woman force herself, as much as she could possibly, especially when she felt her pains and throws coming: and then drawing sometimes directly, and sometimes to the one side, so to enlarge the passage, I drew on the child gently turning the belly thereof downward; that the chin might not catch in the ospubis, as I have noted before.   depiction of child in womb: breech birth 
I have often repeated, this fashion of drawing out the child, for fear lest the young Chirurgeon err, in performing it otherwise; which if he should do, he will be much troubled in drawing out the head, which may stick by the way, as I have seen it happen.   

The means how to help a Woman, when her child cometh, with both the feet, and both the hands together. CHAP. XIX.   depiction of child in womb: transverse presentation 
THe child coming into the world, may offer himself to the neck of the Matrice, in divers fashions: as (beside those that have been spoken of,) with both the feet and hands foremost; the buttocks, back, and head of the child, being so bend, and bowed against the bottom of the Matrice, which doth press, and thrust him downward, that the said hands and feet, 
A terrible kind of delivery.  come forth with such violence, that it is a fearful thing to see, and full of danger, because of the difficulty to remedy it; the Matrice bearing down itself in such sort, and to no use; it being impossible, that the child should be borne, whilst he is thus situated. And therefore it will be necessary in this case, to give help with as much speed, as may be: The practise whereof is in this manner.  
First, you shall place the woman as we have said before, 
Means to help the travail.  than the Chirurgeon having his hands anointed, as is required: if the child be alive, he shall try first with his right hand to put the feet into the Matrice, making them slip up, as easily as he can to the bottom of the said Matrice, and with his left hand, shall he stay the hands that they come not forth further: the feet being thus thrust back, presently, he shall either put one of his fingers, into the child's mouth, or else take him by the hinder part of the head, to bring it direct against the passage: in the mean time putting back with his left hand, the child's hands and arms, that they may fall close to his sides: then taking the head between the palms of his hands, he shall place it just against the passage. Which being done, the birth will succeed naturally, both by the help and striving of the child, and also by the endeavour of the Mother, when she feels her throws come upon her.  

A surer way to draw forth the child.  But when the Chirurgeon shall find, that the feet, legs, and hands, cannot be put back, and that the Matrice doth bear downward, and shut itself not suffering the feet to slip up, then must he, with all the Art he can, put back with his left hand, the child's hands, and with his right hand draw the feet gently, taking heed that the child's face and belly may be downward, and so draw out the child, as hath been showed before.  
Likewise if the Chirurgeon find that the child be dead, he must draw him forth by the feet, without troubling himself to bring the head of the child, to the passage. For every dead child, because he is not able to give any help to the birth, but that all the labour is to come from the Mother, is oftentimes the cause of her death. And therefore the surest way is to turn him so, that he may be drawn but by the feet, or else with the Crotchet.  

The Author's opinion.  As for myself, I am of this opinion, that it is better, whether the child be dead or alive, (if he come with his feet, and hands foremost) that the Chirurgeon bring him forth by the feet, then to turn him, and bring his head foremost, and so expect a natural birth: for in this striving, the Mother having been much wearied, and the chid much weakened, the delivery (though it be natural) will prove very long, and difficult, in regard that neither the Mother, nor the child, can have much strength left them: Whereas if you draw him forth by the feet, neither the Mother, nor the child being much weakened, the birth will be more easy, and fortunate; As I have always had experience.   

The means how to help a Woman, when her child comes double, putting foremost, either the Sides, or the Back, and Shoulders, or else the Buttocks. CHAP. XX.   depiction of child in womb: transverse presentation 
BEside the former delivery, which is, when the child comes double, putting his hands and feet foremost: there likewise happen divers other births that are no less difficult, and dangerous: For when he comes sidelong, with his Sides, Back, or Shoulders next the passage, his feet must needs be on the one side of the Matrice, and his head on the other, lying quite cross; so that the child, beating on both sides, with his head and feet against the womb, doth extend, and stretch it to no purpose, whereby the Mother grows weak and faint: which neither she, nor the child can long endure without danger of death; because his striving helps not at all for his coming forth.   depiction of child in womb: transverse presentation 

A dangerous situation.  The like may happen, when the child puts out his thighs, and buttocks foremost: which kind of birth is very painful and difficult, because the child fills all the Matrice: Which the Chirurgeon perceiving, he shall consider, whether it be better, to turn the child, and bring foremost his head, or else his feet: if he can easily bring the child's head unto the passage, he shall proceed in this sort.  
First, he shall put in his right hand (being anointed as before) to turn the child, and having found the shoulder, with the palm of his said hand, he shall lift the child upward, that his feet or knees may be toward the bottom of the Matrice, whilst the head falls and slides downward: and shall hold it fast at the orifice of the womb, with his left hand, being put in at the same instant; and by this means shall bring the Arms close to the thighs, and sides of the child that the Woman may be naturally delivered. But if the Chirurgeon find any difficulty, to lift the body upward, for the bringing of the head downward: then shall he slide his right hand under the child's armepit, and so draw him gently, yet not making the arm come forth, to place the head right against the passage.  
But if the Chirurgeon find any hindrance in bringing the head downward, and that he thinks he can more easily guide and bring the feet to the orifice of the womb, than the best and surest way is to draw him forth in that sort, by the feet: and certainly when the child comes with his buttocks foremost, his head being upward, then may you sooner meet with his feet, and bring them easier to the orifice of the Matrice, to be drawn forth as we have showed before. But when he puts his shoulder or back foremost, then may you the more easily lift him up to make his head slip downward, or else take him by the Armepit, and so bring gently his head to the neck of the womb, to deliver him naturally.   

The manner of helping the delivery, wherein the child comes with his belly and breast foremost. CHAP. XXI.  
THe most troublesome, and painful situation of a child in his mother's womb, is when he comes with his belly foremost, putting out his navel, his legs and arms being turned backwards. For when he is placed in this manner, and strives to come forth, he thrusts against the sides of the Womb with his hands and feet, and so boweth backward, and bends the back bone that he brings himself as it were into a circle, whereby he endur's and suffers much pain, and likewise is weakened exceeding much, unless he be speedily helped: and beside, by his compression and striving, he causeth the Mother to endure much pain, and anguish without any profit at all both which doth require to be speedily redressed, which maybe performed in this sort. First the Chirurgeon  depiction of child in womb: transverse presentation shall place the woman in good order (as hath been said) 
Means to help the child.  and then shall he slide up his right hand (being first anointed) to observe and feel what part of the child's body is nearest, which he shall perceive both by his feeling, and by wagging and stirring the child up and down: If the breast be next, he shall take with the said hand) the child by he shoulders and top of the Arm, bringing him thereby gently downward, afterward lifting up his hand, that the child's head may fall right towards the passage, putting in presently his left hand to receive and set strait the child's head, which may be turned on the one side, and that being done, the delivery shall be afterwards performed Naturally.  

Another consideration.  But if the head cannot be easily brought downward, or that the belly and top of the thigh be nearer unto the passage, than the Chirurgeon shall put his right hand along the child's thigh to find one of his feet, which being found, he shall cast about it a ribbon, with a sliding knot, and then shall he seek for the other, and bring them both gently to the passage, and so draw him forth by the feet, taking hold of him with a warm napkin, between both his hands: observing always that his face and belly be downwards; for fear least when the shoulders are come forth, the chin catch upon the os pubis, as we have shown more at large, in the chapter of delivering the child with the feet foremost, to which place I refer you, shunning often repetition.   

The means to help the birth, when there be twins the one coming with his feet, the other with his head foremost. CHAP. XXII.   depiction of twins in womb 
IT cannot well be perceived always, whether a woman bears two children, though she be in travail: for I myself was present not long since, at the delivery of an honest woman, 
One may be safely delivered of two children.  who brought two children: and when she was delivered of the first, the Midwife (not expecting that there was a second) was ready to draw out the after burden, but that I perceived another offer itself at the passage, which as it came naturally, so was she delivered thereof very fortunately. But if it so fall out that the twins do come, the one with his head, the other with his heels foremost, than the Chirurgeon shall behave himself in this sort.  

How he must deliver the woman when the twins come ill.  First he shall consider, which of the two children the woman may be easiest delivered of. If the head of the one come not so forward, as the feet of the other: it will be easy to draw forth that child by the feet, putting the others head a little aside, and when he hath brought that forth, he must presently set the head of the other right against the passage, and encourage the woman to be delivered, which will the easier be done, because the other hath prepared the way.  
And if it happen, that in delivering the first by the feet, the second should change his situation; then the Chirurgeon shall look after the feet, and draw him forth, as he did, the former. And when the head of the first, is very forward: then shall he thrust back the feet of the second, to give way to the others head, that he may come naturally.  

The way to deliver a woman of two twins.  If the heads of both the children come together to the passage, the Chirurgeon must take great care for it is impossible for him to make them come forth both at once, (except they be very little.) And therefore he shall put up his hand to try, whether both the heads are placed in one, and the same line, and point of distance (as commonly it happens) or else whether the one is further forward than the other: And especially he must observe whether the two children be monsters, and unnatural, or no. As whether there be two heads upon one body: or if they be joined together, either by the back or by the belly, as it is often seen; which he may easily perceive, by sliding his right hand open, between the two heads, putting it as high as he can, to feel the division; and then drawing his hand down again gently between the two heads, he shall thrust aside the one to give place to the other, which he must bring right to the passage, leaving the second nevertheless in his natural situation. And when the woman feels her throws come upon her, then shall he by all means bring forward, the former that he would receive, holding down the other, with two or three fingers of his left hand (lest he should offer to come forth) and shall endeavour only to bring the first into the world. Which being done; if the second be not well situated, he shall bring the head forward right to the neck of the Matrice, and being brought thither, he may easily come forth, because the way hath been prepared, and made ready by the former. But you must observe, that the first being come forth, he must be taken from between his mother's legs, for fear lest he endanger his life; but you must first tie the navel, 
His Navel must be tied.  as we have showed. And besides it will be very necessary and fit before it be cut, to tie the rest of the navel string, that is fastened to the afterburthen with a large and strong thread, that it may thereby be the easier found and drawn forth afterwards. For the thread that binds the Navel, being left too short it may slip into the womb, and thereby much trouble the mother: When the second child is come forth, the Chirurgeon must search whether there be two after-burthens, or no. And if it happen that after the second delivery, the two after-burthens should not come away so soon as they ought: 
The afterburthen must be taken away speedily.  then must they be provoked for fear lest the Matrice being emptied of two children, might chance to sink down, and shut itself close together, thereby as it were to retain the said after-burthens, and by this means hinder the delivery of them, which must be remedied, as we have showed before. If the two children should have but one body, I am of opinion that for the performing of this delivery, it would be a more easy and safe way, to turn the head upward, and draw him forth by the feet, than to make him come forth with the head foremost having an especial care, when he comes forth as far as the buttocks, that you guide and draw them forth with all the Art you can possibly: at which kind of delivery, I myself was never present.   

The means to help a Woman in travail of Twins, their feet coming foremost. CHAP. XXIII.   depiction of twins in womb 
AS two twins may chance to offer themselves with their heads, so likewise sometimes they may happpen to come with their feet foremost.  
When this chanceth, the Chirurgeon ought to observe, whether the twins be separated, (as we said before) or whether they be unnatural, as having four legs, one or two bodies, and likewise one or two heads. Now the best way to find it is, that the Chirurgeon having his hand anointed (as before) slip it up gently wide open, 
Means to know whether the child be a monster or no.  as high as he can, and finding that the twins are not joined together, but divided and distinguished, he shall bring down his hand between one of their thighs, and pulling it a little lower, shall take hold of one of the twins feet, (that which he thinks may be easiest drawn forth) and tie about it a ribbon, with a sliding knot, towards the Ankle: then shall he put his hand along the said leg, and so even to the buttocks that thereby he may find the other leg of the same child, and join them together, and not be mistaken (taking one leg of the one twin, and another of the other: For if he should do so, then without doubt in drawing of them forth, he would tear them both asunder:) but being certain by this means, that both the legs and feet, be of the same child, you may draw them forth gently, (as we have showed before) taking care that the child come with his face downward. 
When the first is come he must be taken away.  When you have thus drawn forth the first, you shall in the same manner, proceed to the second: having first taken away (as is said before) the other, from between the mother's legs. And if it happen that one of the twins come naturally, with his head foremost, and the other with his feet: and that his feet are more forward than the others head: then the safest way will be to draw him forth first, that hath his feet foremost: having first of all put the other aside that offered himself at the passage. But if the head of the one be right against the passage and the feet of the other on the one side, then shall he put back the feet gently, and deliver the woman first of him that had his head foremost, and afterwards draw the other forth by the feet.  
It may also happen in each of the former births, 
It must be known which is alive.  that one of the twins may be dead, and the other living. Howsoever they are placed, the Chirurgeon must be very certain which of them is dead, or alive. 
The means to know it.  Which he shall know by feeling them about the Navel, Temples, or region of the Heart, Hand-wrists, or Ankles, where if he find no pulse, or beating of the Arteries, than he may be sure that the child is dead, as also if he be less hot than the other: and when you put your finger into his mouth, he neither suck it, nor wag his tongue. But if you find all these signs concur, 
How you must draw him out.  than there is some likelihood that he is alive: and therefore it will be best to bring his head right against the passage, that so the woman may be the sooner delivered, which will be done the more easily, because the live child can better help himself, than he that is dead. But if the Chirurgeon think, that he shall hardly bring the head to the said passage, and that he find the feet are nearer, and readier; then I would advise him to bring the child forth by the feet, and when the woman shall be delivered of th'one, let him draw forth th'other in the same fashion.   

Of the staying of the afterburthen, after the delivery. CHAP. XXIIII.  
OFtentimes it happens, after the woman hath been delivered, whether it be naturally, or by the chirurgeons help: that the bed whereupon the child lay, (commonly called the Afterburthen) as being a second burden, 
The Afterburthen may be stopped.  or delivery of the woman; because, when that is come away, the Mother is wholly delivered, doth remain fastened to the sides of the womb, and cannot very easily be separated from it, and though it be loosened, yet oftentimes it cannot be put forth: The which may proceed, either from the dryness of the Matrice, and afterburthen, 
Causes of the retention of the afterburthen.  being destitute of their moisture, or because, that it is swollen, and stretched, or else because the expulsive faculty of the womb, hath been much weakened by a long and painful travail: Whereunto may be added, that oftentimes the Mother hath been so wearied, and brought so low, and become so faint, weak, and feeble, that she is not able to strain, or force herself at all.  
Now it is most certain, that after the child hath left his Mother's womb, the said afterbirth is a thing contrary to nature, which must needs be taken away and sent forth: And therefore one of these two accidents must needs follow, either that the quick (which is the womb) thrust forth the dead, (which is the afterbirth:) or that the dead kill the quick: And surely, that being retained, it doth breed in the Mother, most pernicious, and dangerous Symptoms, as swounnings, oppression, and suffocation: yea, and sometimes being corrupted and putrefied, it is an occasion of death.  
For the preventing whereof, there must be great care and diligence used in the bringing and drawing of it forth: which must not be done rashly, but leisurely, by often shaking and moving it. In the mean time, taking heed that neither the Mother, nor the womb, take any cold, for fear lest it be suddenly closed and shut up: and therefore, first of all, if the woman be weak, you shall give her, either some Broth, Jelly, yelke of an egg, or else a toast and sugar. And you must likewise put in practise, that which we have formerly spoken of: as to make her Cough, sneeze, and blow, in her hands holding salt therein: and beside you must give her medicines, that are proper to expel and drive forth the said after-bith; which are, such as we formerly prescribed, in Difficult travail: as 
A Drink to expel the afterbirth. ℞. Succin. stercor. Accipitr. pull. an. ℥ ss. dissolve in vino Hyppocratico, & fiat potus.  ℞. Troch. de Myrrhâ, Gall. Mosch. an. ℥ i. Cinnamon. ℥ ss. Dictam. cretens. Succin. rasur. ossium dactylor. an. ℈ ij. Piper. Croci an. ℈ i. fiat pulvis, capiat pro dosi ℥ i. cum vino Saluiatico, vel cum aqua Arthemissiae.  
Gesner in an Epistle he writes to Gasserus saith, That the stone of a horse, dried in an Oven, being made into powder, and taken the quantity of a dram, or four scruples, is an excellent medicine.  

Other experiments.  Horatius Augenius reports in his Epistles, that he hath made often trial of it, and saith, that he had it, of his father, for a secret.  
If the afterbirth comes not away for all the foresaid medicines, then must you come to handiwork: and for that purpose the Chirurgeon shall place the woman in the same fashion he did, in the drawing out of the child: then shall he put up his hand, (anointed as before) holding the Navell-string, which will serve him for a guide to find the afterbirth; and when he hath found it, he shall observe and try diligently, whether it sticks to the sides of the womb, or no: If the said afterburthen cannot come forth, because the passage of the Matrice is to strait, it being shrunk together, and swollen with pain: Then shall he use medicines that relax and mollify, as the lineaments appointed in the natural delivery, and also such as shall be set down hereafter, together with fomentations and injections: And when he perceives that the passage is open and free, and that the afterbirth stays only through the woman's feebleness and weakness, in these two cases he shall draw it forth gently.  
But if he perceive that it doth stick to the womb, and likewise finds it soft and moist, then shall he separate as gently as may be, with his fingers, (his nails, being first pared very close and even) from the sides of the womb, beginning at that end which he thinks, doth best cleave or stice thereto; and so draw it by little and little, shaking it sometimes, on the one side, and sometimes on the other, not drawing it violently directly forward; for fear (as Hypocrates saith) lest the Matrice should fall down and follow the afterbirth, whereto as yet it is fastened: putting still between the sides of the Matrice, and the said part of the afterburthen, either fresh butter, or some of the lineament wherewith he anoints his hands, that it may help by mollifying and relaxing, to separate it the more easily.  
And you must take an especial care that you draw it not forth suddenly all at once, lest it should stick to many places of the womb, and so you thinking to pull it along, might shake & bring down with it the body of the womb, which would cause a Precipitation or falling down thereof: Or else, if you should separate it by violence, some vessel or part of the womb is in danger to be broken, which may procure a flux of blood, or some ulcers, whereof may follow a Gangrene, yea and oftentimes death.  
If the Chirurgeon perceive that there is any difficulty, or danger to sever and bring forth the said afterbirth, it sticking very fast by reason of dryness, or that the Matrice is very painful and swollen, then shall he use these medicines following.  
First he shall give these Pills.  
Pills.  ℞. Myrrh. ʒ i. Rad. Aristol. rotund. Dictam. an ℈ ij. Castor. assae fetid. Croci an. ℈ i. Gentian. ʒ s. cum succo sabinae & Mercurial. fiat Massa addendo Confect. Al K●rmes ℈ iiij. capiat pro dosi ʒ s. vel ℈ ij. 
You may mingle with the said Dose, half a dram of Pilulae Cochiae, to provoke and stir up the expulsive faculty of the belly & so consequently, that also of the womb.  
You must likewise provoke her to sneeses, which may be done, 
sneezing expels the afterburthen.  according as Aëcius appointeth, with Castoreum and Pepper made into powder, you may also use which is stronger.  ℞. Hellebor. alb. ʒ s. piper. albi, nigri, an ℈ i. Casto. ℈ ij. Cinnamon. ʒ i fiat omnium pulvis subtilanijciantur aliquot grana in nares. 
But ye must note, that when her sneezing is ready to come, 
The manner of doing it.  she must stop her nose, and mouth, with her hand; that the breath in sneezing may not go forth all at once, and that it may thrust the more violently downward.  
There must be used also this fomentation and iniection to the Matrice  
An Iniection, and fomentation for the womb. ℞. Quatuor Emoll. Matricar. an. m. iiij. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot an. p.i. Sem. Lini, foenugraec. an. ℥ s. Bulliant injure vituli. vel Capi, Colaturae add Ol. Amygdal. dull. & cheirini tertiam partem, & fiat iniectio: Ex magnate fiat fotus cum spongia.  
This fomentation and iniection hath power to heat and comfort the Matrice, and also to make it more moist and fit to loosen the afterburthen. At the same time you shall give her this Clyster.  
A Clyster. ℞. Rad. Lilior. albor. Bryon. recent. an ℥ ij. Maluae; Bismal. totius, Caulium, Matricar. Mercur. an. m. sem. Lini. foenugr. an. ℥ s. flor. Chamaem. Melilot. an. m.i. fol. Senae Mund. ℥ s. fiat decoct. de qua cape quartar. iij. in quibus dissolui Diaphoenic. Hierae. an. ʒ iij. Mell. Mercur. Ol. Lilior. Aneth. an ℥ ij. fiat Clyster.  
You must also cause the Woman to smell unto bad, and stinking odours, as old shoes, 
Ill smells.  and Partridge feathers burnt, Assa faetida, Rue.  
Some after the child is borne, 
Blood letting brings dow● the afterbirth  have the veins of the Matrice so swollen, that the afterbirth cannot come forth, by reason of the bigness thereof, and the narrowness of the passage: than it will be good to let them blood in the foot, which is a medicine very often tried by Massaria a great practitioner and a professor at Padua, as he writes in his book of women's diseases.  
If the afterburthen come not away withal the foresaid medicines, then will it be necessary to suppurate and putrefy it, which I have seen sometimes come to pass: But in the suppurating of it, 
What must be done in th● suppurating of the afterbirth.  you must have a care of two things: the first is to strengthen the Woman, and to preserve her from malignant vapours, that may ascend and take hold of the principal parts, as the Heart, brain, and chiefly, the stomach, using other medicines, beside those that have been formerly set down. And therefore she must be comforted with these medicines.  
A Cordial Electuary.  ℞. Cons. Borag. Buglos. Rosar. an ℥ i. Cons. Anthos. ℥ s. Confect. Alkerm. de Hyacinth. an. ʒ is. spec. laetificant. Galen. ʒ s. cum syrup. Conser. Citri q. s. fiat opiata. 
Let her take Lozenges of Diamargarit: frigidum: and likewise of Piachodon Abbatis.  
She must also have all kind of pleasant and sweet savours to smell to, which may recreate the spirits.  
The second thing that the Chirurgeon shall observe is, that in helping it to come to suppuration, he have a care that there be not bred too much corruption: and therefore it will be fit, to use mundifying and cleansing injections, adding thereby also, medicines that will comfort the womb, as those that are of a good smell.  
A comforting and cleansing Iniection. ℞. Maluae Parietar. senetion. Matricar. Apij. an. m. i Radic. Lilior. Bryon. cucumber: agrest. an. ℥ i. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. Hyperic. Centaur. Vtriusque. an. P. i Aristol. nostr. Agrimon. Veronic. Herbae Robert. Mercurial. an. m. i s. sem. foenugraec. Cydon. an. ℥ s. fiat decoctio ad lb '. i s. in quibus dissolve Myrrh. Aloes, Ireos. florent. an ℥ s. mellis Mercurial. ℥ iij. addendo Aq▪ Rosar. vini albi an. ℥ ij. fiat Iniectio.  

Hip. lib. 2. Epidem.  Hypocrates to this purpose, writes a memorable story of a Carrier's wife, who had a piece of her afterbirth left behind in the womb, (that caused her to have the Strangury) which continued there even till she was delivered of an other child. For at the end of four months, she conceived again and bore her fruit to the full time: which History hath emboldened me to relate this that follows.  

A true story.  Marry Beaurin, yet living, Wife unto William Prat a Glazier, dwelling in Saint Andrews street, sent for me, (it is some six and twenty year since) to show me a tumour that came forth of her Womb, which was as big as one's fist, and more; and was like unto a bladder: as firm and hard, as strong parchment: full of clear water, wherein one might perceive a pretty hardness: the said tumour or bladder would slip up easily, when she lay upon her back, and lifted her thighs a little upward, crushing it a little with her hand, (as they commonly do when they put back a rupture) which she did in my presence, and I demanding of her how long this accident had troubled her; she told me it had been so above two years, and begun at the birth of her second child: and yet notwithstanding she said she had had a little young daughter, about six Months since, to which she then gave suck, and that all the time that she went with child, she said this bladder fell not down at all, as it was wont before her last being with child. I counseled her to call Mon. Paraeus the King's chief Chirurgeon, and other chirurgeons, to give their judgement, what this bladder might be: And perceiving, when they had handled it, that it was without pain, they were all of opinion after it was drawn forth, as far as it could possibly, to have it tied at the top, and then to pierce it; the which I did; leaving the thread wherewith I tied it, somewhat long, that thereby I might draw it forth, when I thought fit. The incision being made, there followed great store offaire and clear water, and presently we perceived a little, foews or Pantye child of a finger's bigness, somewhat firm, and hard; without any bad smell, fastened by the Náuell, which was as firm and big, as a pretty string. About six days after, with shaking the said thread, (which had been likewise gently stirred, every day from one side to the other) he rest came forth: having applied, in the mean time, many mollifying injections to the womb, for the loosening of it, from the parts whereto it was fastened.  

Lib. 4. observat. 185. Another story. Marcell. Donat. Histor. medic. mirabil. lib. 4. cap. 22.  john Schenekius, in his observations, among divers other stories, tells a very strange one, of a Woman, named Ludovica who for her bigness, was called the great Mare, she going with a dead child voided only the soft parts of the said child, being putrefied, the bones staying behind: yet for all this; a while after: she being in reasonable good health, became great with child again. And falling sick, there passed by chance, through the rowne where she dwelled, a certain Mountebank or Quacksalver, who made an incision in her belly, and thereby took forth the bones of the said child, and cured her: And when the time of her travail came, she was delivered of a lusty and healthful child.   

The means how to take forth a Child, by the Caesarian section. CHAP. XXV.  
IT now remains only, that I speak of the last kind of delivery, which must be practised, after the Mother's decease, that thereby the child may be saved, and receive Baptism. This birth is called Caesarian, à caeso Matris utero, in imitation of Caesar, who was ripp't out of his Mother's womb, at the very instant she died. The which ought to be observed in every well governed Commonwealth: For, jurisconsulti eum necis damnant, 
Lib. 2. §. D● mortuo efferendo, & sepulchro aedificando.  qui gravidam sepelierit, non prius extracto foetu, quod spem animantis cum gravidâ peremisse videatur. The lawyers judge them worthy of death, who shall bury a great bellyed-woman that is dead, before the child be taken forth, because together with the Mother, they seem to destroy the hope of a living creature.  
In some women, I have made this practise very fortunately, and among the rest, in Mad. le Maire, Mr Phillippes my uncle being joined with me: And likewise in Mad. Pasquier, presently after she was dead, Monsieur Paraeus, and the Curate of S ct Andrew, being present.  
But before the Chirurgeon come to this work, 
What the Chirurgeon must observe.  he must observe diligently, and be certainly assured, that the woman is dead, and that her kinsfolks, friends, and others that are present, do all affirm and confess, that her Soul is departed: And then he must come presently to the handiwork, because the deferring of it, might cause the child's death, and so make the work unprofitable.  
All the while that the woman lies in her pain, and Agony, the Midwife, or else some other woman, shall hold their hand within the neck of the Matrice, to keep it as open, as may be possible: for though we know, that while the child is in the Mother's womb, he breathes only by her Arteries; yet notwithstanding, the Air that may enter therein, doth not only not hurt, but doth very much good.  
Now, to know certainly, and to be assured that the woman hath yielded up her last breath, you shall lay upon her lips, 
An experiment.  and about her nose, some light feathers; for if she breathe never so little, they will fly away.  
And being thus assured that she is dead, the Chirurgeon, presently without any delay, after he hath laid open her belly naked, shall there make an incision, 
The Method of making the incision.  of the length of four fingers, near unto the right Muscles, cutting both the skin, and the three Muscles of the Epigastrium, and the Peretonaeum, piercing even to the very capacity of the belly. Then shall he thrust in two of his fingers, and with them shall he lift and hold up, the said skin, muscles, and Peretonaeum; and between them, he must make a sufficient incision, to discover the Matrice, and the child therein contained, which will easily show itself: Then shall he instantly make an incision, just in the midst of the womb, which he shall find a finger thick, and more, 
The wom●● is thick.  and therefore he need not be afraid of hurting the child, because I have always observed, that the afterbirth is situated next to that place, and then the child. But if there should be any likelihood, 
The way t● open the womb.  that the said afterbirth were loosened, and had changed his place, then must he be more circumspect, and wary: And therefore, he shall rather tear and enlarge th'incision with two fingers of each hand, being put therein, then cut it, and so make the orifice large enough, according as he thinks fit, for the drawing out of the child, which he shall take forth of the womb. This being done, he shall take the afterbirth, and lay it upon the child's belly, causing some body, to take a little wine in their mouth, and spirit it into the child's nose, ears, & mouth, which must be done often, as we have show'd before.  
Some hold, that this Caesarian Section, 
The Auth●●● opinion o● this practi●●  may and aught to be practised (the woman being alive) in a painful and troublesome birth: Which for mine own part, I will not counsel any one to do, having twice made trial of it myself, in the presence of Mons. Paraeus, and likewise seen it done by Mons. Viart, Brunet, and Charbonnet, all excellent chirurgeons, and men of great experience and practise; who omitted nothing, to do it artificially, and methodically: Nevertheless, of five women, in whom this hath been practised, not one hath escaped. I know that it may be alleged, that there be some have been saved thereby: But though it should happen so, yet ought we rather to admire it, than either practise or imitate it: For, One Swallow makes not a Spring, neither upon one experiment only, can one build a science.  

The Caesarian Section reproved.  After Mons. Paraeus had caused us to make trial of it, and seen that the success was very lamentable, and unfortunate: he left of, and disallowed this kind of practise, together with the whole College of chirurgeons of Paris: as likewise the discreeter sort, of the Regent Doctors in the faculty of Physic, at Paris: at such time as this question was sufficiently discussed by the late Mons. Merchant, in the two declamations he made, when he had the honour to be admitted sworn Chirurgeon, of Paris.   
The end of the Second Book.   

THE ORDERING OF a woman newly brought a bed, and of the Accidents, that may happen unto her in her month. The third Book.  

What diet a Woman must keep that is newly delivered. CHAP. I.  
Heretofore we have spoken of the care that must be taken of a Woman, so soon as she is brought a bed, and delivered of her afterbirth: Now we will treat of the diet she is to keep, while she lies in, and of the accidents, that may befall her in that time.  
First she must be kept reasonable hot: for too much heat doth weaken, and dissolve the strength: 
Cold hurts the spermaticall parts.  but above all, she must be kept from the cold air: because it is an enemy to the spermaticall parts, and being very piercing it may get into the Matrice which is now empty, and there procure, great pains and torments, as also puff it up, and the whole belly: and therefore the doors, and windows of her chamber in any wise are to be kept close shut.  

Diet.  Her diet must be thus: First she must live temperately, and not fill herself with too much meat: and that must be of the same kind, that is prescribed for them that are wounded; and indeed in some women, there happens a great Solutio continui, and not that only which they call simple, but also that which hath a contusion joined with it. For in that great striving, and passing of the child, many membranes are not only bruised, and hurt: but also broken, and torn: as it happeneth in young women and in others that are far in years, and never had any child before. Nay sometimes in these, the passage of the Matrice, and that of Anus, are brought into one: yea, and some suffer great excoriations, and hurts, in those parts; which being neglected, in some, have come to putrefaction, and Gangrenes: And here I must admonish women in childbed, not to regard the words of their nurses, 
The nurses must not be always hearkened to.  or keepers, which continually preach to them, to make much of themselves, saying, that they had need to fill their bellies, which have been so much emptied, telling them how much blood they have lost, and do daily lose, and that at last they will grow so weak, that they will not be able to help themselves.  
But these are frivolous reasons, for the greatest part of the blood, which a woman voideth then, and all her month, is but superfluous blood, and is good for nothing: which hath been kept in the body a long time, even the nine months, that she hath gone with child: it being now necessary for her health to have it voided out of her Matrice: that so her belly, which is swollen, and puffed up with the abundance of blood (like a sponge that is full of water) may be quitted & discharged, and return to the natural proportion and bigness. And therefore for their health's sake, 
She must see sparingly.  they must not feed so plentifully, the first days, as the vulgar think: that by this abstinence may hinder the Ague which may happen unto them, and likewise keep down the abundance of blood, which would flow to their breasts, and be converted into milk and by reason of the store there of grow clotty and curdle, and in the end apostumate.  
Wherefore the five first days, let her use Broths, 
Her meats.  panades, new eggs, and jelly; not glutting herself (as commonly they do) either with flesh or Almonds: In the morning let her take a supping or broth: and so likewise at dinner, with a couple of new laid eggs, and some panade, and again at supper, let her have the like, closing her stomach with a little jelly: but yet, if she mean to nurse her child herself, she must feed more plentifully. Let her drink barley water, wherein a little Cinnamon, 
A drink.  and a few coriander seeds have been boiled. The great Ladies of Italy do use a water, made of Capons which is this.  

Capon water for Ladies.  Take two Capons ready pulled, and dressed: boil them in an earthen pot, with a sufficient quantity of fair water, till they be half sodden, then take them forth, and cut them into small pieces, to be used as followeth.  
Take of bugloss, Borage, and Balm, of each two good handfuls: whereof you must make a lay in a glass, Limbicke, and upon that, another of the said Capons flesh, and so upon that a lay of leaf gold, with a dram of the powder of pearl, then pour in some of the broth, on the top: which you shall do, until all be bestowed in the same manner. This being done, you must distill it, in a double vessel or Balneo Mariae, and draw a quart of water or thereabouts, which must be reitterated so often, till you think that you have enough to serve the woman in child bed, for ten or twelve days: But this Curiosity, is for Princesses and great Ladies. The said water must be drawn six weeks or two months before it be used, and set in the sun in summer, and over an oven in winter, to take away the rawness that remains in it.  
If the woman have not an ague, in my opinion, she may drink a little white or claret wine, with twice as much boiled water. But there be some women that cannot endrue wine, and therefore let them drink water and honey boiled together, or else boiled water: 
Another drink.  if they desire to drink in the day time between their meals, or else in the night, give them a little syrup of Maiden hair, with boiled water, or any other syrup, so it be not astringent, because of their purge. When her pains; the fear of the ague, and the burning of her breasts be past, then may she feed more liberally, and then she may eat at dinner a little meat, with her broth: as Capon, Pullet, Pigeon, or a bit of Veal: and at supper beside her broth, a slice of Veal, Mutton, Chicken or any other good meat.  
The eight day being passed, about which time commonly the womb is well purged, and cleansed, it will not be amiss to nourish her better, giving her more solid meat, and in greater quantity, that she may grow strong again, the sooner. All the which time she must keep herself very quiet, not much moving, or stirring herself, nor so much as once looking into the Air. Let her speak as little as may be, and have no noise made about her, 
Noise is hurtful.  nor suffer her to be much visited, but by her friends and kinsfolks, excluding all such tattling Gossips, as may tell her any thing to trouble her or make her sad. Let her sleep rather in the night, 
Sleep.  then in the day time: yet, if she have not rested in the night by reason of some pains, then let her sleep, when soever it comes upon her. And because most women in that case, are Costive, and cannot void their excrements: therefore it will be very fit to give her some such gentle Glister.  
A Clyster. ℞. Fol. Malu. Parietar. Bismal. totius an. m. i. flor. Chamemel. Melilot. an. p. i sem. Anis. foenicul. an. ʒ ij. Coquant. in decoct. Capitis veruec. de quo accipe quart. iij. in quibus dissol. sacchar. rub. Mel. Mercurial. an. ℥ ij. Butyr. recent. ℥ iij. fiat Clyster.  
You may also add thereto sometimes an ounce of Diacatholicon. If she dislike Clysters, let her take a little broth or decoction of Sene.  
I am of opinion that the Athenian women, while they were in Childbed, did take the broth of Cabbage, 
The use of Coleworts.  or Coleworts, rather to be loose bellied, then to drive away witchcraft, as Athenaeus would have it: For heretofore the Cabbage was Cato's Physic, and all his household. And therefore when the Romans banished the Physicians, Cato said, that the Cabbage alone, was Physic enough to cure all their diseases; and beside he made a little Commentary upon that subject.  

Sadness to be avoided.  Let her banish all grief and heaviness, having regard only of her health, and to be merry, praising God for her delivery.   

What must be done to the Woman's Breasts, Belly, and neither parts that is newly delivered. CHAP. II.  
NOW I have set down the manner of diet, a Woman in Child bed should observe, it will not be amiss to show, what is fit to be done unto her, before she sit up, or rise, endeavouring herein, to bring all the parts of her body, which have been strained, and as it were quite changed, through a long, and painful travail, to their former state, that they may be recovered, and grow strong with as much speed as may be possibly.  
If our French Ladies, were (in this point) like unto those, which Vesputius Florentinus doth write of: 
Women t● are Virgins after child bearing.  it would then be needles to prescribe so many medicines, for the restoring them to the same state they were in before their being with child. There are women (saith he) that dwell beyond the Antartique Pole, whose bodies are entire and Virgin like, even after often childbearing, and in whom there is perceived no difference from them that are Virgins, as they that have opened them, having made diligent search, do testify: But since there be no such women found in our quarters, (though I dare boldly say, there be some, not much different) therefore will it be very necessary to have a care what is to be done, to their belly, breasts, and neither parts. Wherefore, after the sheeps skin, or hare's skin, hath stayed on four or five hours, let it be taken away, and the woman's belly and groin, anointed with the lineament following. And then applying the Cerecloth of a just bigness, which must be continued the first seven days, dressing it every morning, and turning the said Cerecloth, sometimes on the one side, and sometimes on the other, the lineament is this,  
An ointment ℞. Ol. Chamaem. Amygd. dull. Hyper. an. ℥ is. Spermac. caeti ℥ ij. sepi Hirci. ℥ i. Ol. Myrtill. ℥ s. Liquefiant omnia simul, & fiat linimentum, quo ungantur partes ventris calidè quotidiè, superposia tela sequenti.  
But before you lay on the Cerecloth, you shall apply to her navel, an emplaster of Galbanum, of the bigness of two or three fingers, in the midst whereof you must put two or three grains of Civet, and it must be so applied that the smell thereof strike not up to the Woman's nose: the Cerecloth is this.  
A Cerecloth. ℞. Cerae alb. ℥ iiij. Pomat. sine Moscho, Pingued. vitul. an. ℥ i. spermat. caeti. ℥ i s. Ol. Hyperic. Amygdal. dulc. an. ℥ i. Therebinth. Venet. lotae in aq. Parietar. ℥ s. liquefiant omnia in Balneo Mariae. & liquefactis impone telam ad magnitudinemventris, quae refrigerata poliatur vitro plano & applicetur ventri post unctionem.  
Then must she be swathed as we have showed before.  
This being done, you must have a care to her breasts; Some apply to their breasts only, round plasters, made of some such Cerecloth as this.  
Another Cerecloth. ℞. Cerae novae ℥ vi. Ol. Rosar. Mirtill. Mellis Narbonens. an. ℥ iij. liquefiant simul & fiat sparadrapum.  
The said round plasters must have a hole in the midst for the Nipple to come through. Others use this lineament and Cerecloth.  
An ointment for the breasts ℞. Ol. Rosar. Mirtill. an. ℥ is. Aceti parum, misce, unge mammas calide bis in die, secundo die insperge mammas pulvere myrtillorum, & appone hoc sparadrapum.  
A Cerecloth ℞. Ol. Mirtillor. ℥ iij. Ol. Amygd. dulc. ℥ i. Terebinth. venet. ʒ vi. Mastich. ʒ ij. Nucis Cupres. ʒ i. Bol. Arm. terrae sigillat. an. ʒ iij. sang. Dracon. ℈ iiij. Myrtyll: ballast. an ℈ ij. Ireos' Florent: saluiae an ʒ s. Cerae q. s. fiat sparadrapum.  
Whereof you may make rounds, as I said before.  
Some Women take water parsley, or smallage, and boil it a pretty while with Urine, and apply it to the breasts. 
An ointment to keep 〈◊〉 milk from curdling.  I have often tried this ointment following, which hinders the milk from Curdling, and congealing, the breasts being rubbed therewith.  ℞. Vng. Popul. ℥ i s. Refriger. Gal. ℥ s. Ol. Rosar. ʒ vi. Aceti parum, liquefiant simul, & fiat Linimentum. 
Some put sage between their breasts, and under their Armpits.  
Now concerning the neither parts: 
Fomentations for the parts.  let them be bathed gently, the first three or four days, with warm milk, wherein hath been boled a little chervil, plantain, and a few Rose leaves.  
The days following, until the eight day, let her use this bath or fomentation.  ℞. Vini alb. & aquae. an. lb'. s. flor. Hyperic. rosar. rub. an P. ij. Agrimoniae Mi. fiat decoctio. 
After both these bathe, let there be applied, to the sides of her natural parts, this Ointment, with a very fine linen cloth: 
An Ointment. ℞. Ol. Hyper. ℥ ij. Spermat. Caeti ℥ j ss. Cerae alb. parum, liquefiant simul, & fiat ad formam linimenti, ad usum.   
When the first eight days are past, she shall wear upon her belly the Cerecloth following, her belly being first rubbed with this Ointment.  
Another Ointment. ℞. Ol. Hyper. Chamaem. Aneth. an. ℥ i. ol. Mastich. ℥ i. ss. ol. Mirtil. ℥ vi. Spermat. Caeti. ℥ ij. Sepi renum Hirci ℥ j ss. Adipis Cerui ℥ i. Cerae novae modicum, fiat unguentum: quo unguatur venter puerperae, superponendo telam sequentem.  
A Cerecloth for the belly. ℞. Ol. Mirtil. Hyperic. an. ℥ j ss. ol. Aneth. ℥ i. Terebinth. venet. in aqua Artemis lot. ℥ iiij. liquefac simul, & auferendo ab igne, impone telam ex canabe, quae contineat totum ventrem, & inguina, deferat spatio octo dierum, praemisso fotu.  
The fifteen days being past, she shall wear eight days more (by which time three weeks of her lying in will be finished) this Cerecloth following, over all her belly, and groin.  

A Cerecloth for the belly. ℞. Ol. Mastich. Mirtil. jasmin. Cydon. an. ℥ j ss. ol. Glandium ℥ ij. Spermat. Caeti ℥ i. Terebinth. Venet. sepius lotae in aq. Plantag. ℥ ss. Cerae ℥ vi. liquefiant omnia simul, addendo puluer. Mastich. Terrae sigillatae, an. ℥ ss. Irid. Florent. ℥ i. removendo ab igne, imponatur tela ex canabe, quae contineat totum ventrem, deferat quindecim dies integros:  which must be renewed afresh, after the first eight days. In which space her neither parts must be bathed with this fomentation.  
A strengthening Fomentation for the lower parts. ℞. fol. Plantag. Tapsi Barbat. Centinod. Caud. equin. an. m. i. fol. Cupress. m. j ss. Cortic. granat. Nuc. Cupress. ballast. an. ℥ ss. Rosar. rub. flor. Chamaem. Melilot. an. p. i. Alumin. Roch. ℥ ij. Calam. Aromot. Irid. Florent. an. ʒ iij. Caryophil. ʒ i. fiant sacculi duo, coquantur in aequis partibus vini austeri, & aquae fabror. pro ore exterior. colli uteri.  
And when three weeks of her time are expired, she having been, neither troubled with Ague, pains, or gripings, nor any other accident extraordinary, and being likewise well cleansed from all her after-purging, before she go abroad, it will be very good for her to bathe, cleanse, and wash herself, being first gently purged, with some easy medicine, according to the Physicians direction.  

Baths to be made in Summer, and while the weather is hot.  
But because the seasons of the year are divers, therefore will it be the the best course to use Baths of sundry compositions: As if the woman be brought a bed in Summer, and hot weather; then she must have provided for her such a bath as followeth.  
Take a great tub, or hogshead, and fill it full of river water, made somewhat hot, adding thereto as much white Wine as you think fit: wherein you shall steep the space of a day and a night, 
First Bath 〈◊〉 Summer.  of Fennill, Marierom, Mugwort, Motherwort, Pennyroyal, agrimony, Chamamill, and Meliot flowers, of Rose leaves, of each two handfuls, put them into a strong linen bag, that is large enough, 
The man●●● of making  quenching oftentimes in the said liquor, a bar of Iron red hot: Then overnight, you shall take out three or four kettles full of the said water, and set them over the fire to seethe, and then pour it into the tub again, and cover it close, that it may keep in the heat all night, and warm the tub: then in the morning you must put in more hot water, until you have made the bath temperate, which must be neither too hot, nor too cold. In the morning, when the bath is thus prepared, the woman shall go into it, sitting upon the bag of herbs aforesaid, and stay there an hour, 
How long she must stay in the Bath.  or two, without forcing herself, and a little before her coming forth, let her take this Electuary.  
An Electuary. ℞. Cons. Bugloss. Rosar. an. ℥ ss. cortic. Citri. conduit. ʒ ij. fiat Condium, capiat ut dictum est.  
Some women cannot away with this Electuary, but content themselves, with a little Citron pill candied.  
She may also sweat a little in her bed, and then cause herself to be gently rubbed with linen clothes, to take away any spots or stains that have happened upon her skin, in the time of her childbed. Her sweat being past, and she somewhat cooled herself in her bed: then she must not eat any meat, but such as is easy of digestion, and that breeds good blood.  
Now, this first Bath doth but only serve to prepare her for a Second, which shall be made as followeth.  
Take river water, and quench in it hot Iron, as you did in the former baths: wherein you shall boil two great Bags, which shall contain these Ingredients.  
Second Bath for Summer. ℞. Farin. Orob. Fabar. Lupinor. an. lb. ij. Farin. glandium lb. ss. Rosar. rub. flor. Chamaemil. Melilot. an. pug. iiij. Alumin. glacial. Roch. crud. an. ℥ iij. cortic. Querc. Nucum Cupress. an. ℥ ij. ballast. ℥ i. Caryophyl. Nucis Mosch. an. ʒ vi. Granor. Tinctor. ℥ ij s. conquassantur omnia simul, & fiant sacculi cum panno lineo: bulliant in aqua Balnei primi ut dictum est, & sit Balneum secundum.  
This second Bath must be made as the first, without being either too hot, or too cold: Wherein she shall stay an hour, or two, sitting upon the bags; and before her going forth, let her take the former Electuary, or a piece of Citron pill condited: This Bath will serve for twice, it being only new heated again.   

In Winter time you shall make these Bath's.  
Bath for w●●ter. ℞. Maioran. Artemis. Menth. Rorismar. Heder. terrest. an. M. iij. farin. Hord. fabar. Auenac. Orobi, Lupinor. an. lb. ij. flor. Rorismar. Chamaemel. Melilot. Lavandul. an. M.i.s. Rosar. rub. m. ij. Caryophil. Nucis Mosch. Cinnamon Benzoin. styrac. calam. an. ℥ i. Alumni. lb. s. granor tinctor. ballast. an. ℥ iij. omnia conquassentur, & fiant sacculi duo. Coquantur in aqua Chalybeata, in qua sape extinctum sit ferrum candens, & fiat Balneum ut praecedens.  
In winter, the woman in Childbed shall use this, in stead of the former, having washed herself in the first bath, that was prescribed for summer, and taking it her coming forth, the electuary formerly set down.  
And beside, while she is in the bath, whether it be in summer, or winter, it will be very fit and convenient to rub all her body over with little bags filled with Almonds, 
To make the skin smooth.  beaten very small, thereby to make her skin, smooth and slick.  
After she hath been thus bathed, she shall use below, such Fomentations as may close and strengthen those parts, and bring them to their former state.  
A fomentation for the lower parts. ℞. Fol. Plantag. Tapsi Barbat. Centinod. Caudae equin an. M.i. Fol. Cupres. m.i.s. Rosar. ●ub. flor. Chamaem. Melilot. an. P.i. Balaust. Sumach. Nuc. Cupressi. Gallar. an. ℥ i. Maioran. Thym. Puleg. Origan. an. m.s. Alumin: ʒ vi. fiat decoctio in aequis partibus vini austeri & aquae Calibeatae profotu partium inferior.  
When she hath done with the fomentation, she must receive beneath this perfume.  
A perfume. ℞. Benzoini. styrac. calam. ligni Aloes an. ℥ s. Cortic citri. Nuc. Cupressi. ballast. an. ʒ iij. Nucis mosach. Caryophil. an. ʒ ij. Carab. Mastich. an ʒ i s. Rosa. rub. P.i. fiat omnium pulvis excipiatur cum muccagine gummi tragacanthi & fiant trochisci.  

The manner of using the perfume.  The Woman must sit in a hollow chair, that hath a hole in the bottom, and underneath it a chase dish of coals: whereupon there shall be put one or two of the said Trochiscks, and so she must receive the fume thereof.  
And because not only the said parts, do continue limber, and wrinkled; but likewise the belly, and breasts, do also remain, almost as big, as they were before she was delivered; It will therefore, 
Means to h●●den the bre●●●  not be amiss to take some order, that this exceeding greatness of her belly and breasts may be diminished, and they hardened withal: endeavouring by all means to bring them again, to their natural constitution.  
And since that this swelling and puffing up, proceeds commonly from some humours, or wind, that is got in, and gathered together in those parts, having been too much relaxed: therefore it will be very necessary before you apply any outward thing thereto, that she be purged, keeping a good diet, and avoiding all meats that shall breed any ill humours, or windines.  
Which being done you may apply this that followeth.  
℞. Farin. fabar. Hord. lupinor. an ℥ ij. farin. Oryz. Glandium an. ℥ ij s. Coquantur perfectè in aequis partibus. Aq. Mirtillor. Caudae equin. Centinod. Plantag. & Rosar. addendo.  

A Poultice for the Belly and Breasts.  Pul. Nuc. Cupres. ballast. Mirtil. an. ℥ i. Pul. flor. Camaemel. melilot. sem. foenicul. an ℥ s. Sang. dracon. Alumin. an. ʒ ij. Ol. Mirtillor. ung. Rosat. Mes. an. ℥ iij. Mellis ℥ i s. fiat Cataplasma ad formam pultis satis liquidae, post coctionem poteris addere Albumina ovor. Ventri applicentur & mammis.  
This Cataplasm must lie on xxiv hours, and then be renewed. In steed of a second Cataplasm, you may use this water.  
A water for the breasts etc. ℞ Prunor. syluest. Mespilor. Cor. nor. Nuc. Cupress. ballast. Glandium cum suis cupulis, & si desint fructus sume cortices arborum. an lb. s. flor. Rosar. syluest. rubrar. an. ℥ iiij. Albumin. duor. ovor. Aluminis Crud. ℥ ij. Caryophil. Nucis mosch. an ℥ s. Benzoini. styrac. Calamit▪ an. ℥ i. Calam. Arom. Frid. flor. an ʒ vi. Macerentur omnia in lb. xii. aquae fabrorum: post infusionem 4. dierum, ponantur omnia in Alembicum plumbeum & fiat distillatio: servetur ad usum.  
In this water you shall dip, and soak linen clothes or sponges, and apply them warm, either upon the belly, breasts, or any other part, which you would have confirmed, knit, and drawn together: And to make it the more astringent, you must steep therein for every quart of liquor, of Mastic, sanguis Draconis, and Bole armoniac powdered, of each half an ounce: setting it in the sun in summer, and over an oven in the winter.  
But it is not enough only, (especially in great Ladies) to make the foresaid parts firm and hard, and keep them from hanging and flagging down: But it is also very fitting, and likewise much required by them, to have their skin made fair, smooth, and delicate: for which purpose this water is singular good.  
A water to beautify and adorn the skin etc. ℞. Aq. Florum, Bismal. Maluae. an. lb. ij. Aq. Rosar. alb. lb. iiij. Limones duos, (remota cute exteriore) minutim incisos; Prunor. syluest. immatur. lib. i pistentur. Carnem unius Caponis juvenis, abiectis ossibus & intestinis minutim incisam. Lact. Caprin. lb. s. Amygdal. dulc. mund. ℥ ij. farinae. Orob. Lupinor. an. ℥ s. Limaces rubros no. vi. Infunde omnia simul per duos dies, deinde destillentur in Balneo Mariae.  
With this water the foresaid parts must be washed, having first cleansed them with common water, wherein there hath been some crumbs of bread steeped all night.   

Another approved water.  
Another w●ter. ℞. Aq. Lilior. alb. Nympb. an. lb. iij. Lactis Caprin. lb. s. Casei recenter facti sine sale lb. i. Limones exteriori cute remotâ, incisos. numero iiij. Albumina ovor. numero viii. Boraces ʒ iij. Caphurae ʒ i. Talci subtiliter pull. ℥. i. Cerus. ℥ s. Columbor. iwen. num. ij. Ol. Tartari ℥ i s. misceantur, & omnia destillentur in Balneo Mariae.  
Myrrhae (as Master Le Bon writes, 
The virtue 〈◊〉 Myrrh.  who tells it for a great secret) doth lessen and straighten, the natural parts, when they have been over stretched, without hurting the Matrice, as also taketh away the wrinkles which happen either in the breasts, or belly, and doth confirm and knit those parts, offending neither the pectoral, nor natural parts.  
Sometimes there comes little spots and freckles, in the said parts, but oftener in the face, for the taking away whereof, this is an excellent medicine.  
An ointment for spots. ℞. Tartar. vini albi calocinat. ℥ s. Mastich. ʒ i s. Caphurae ʒ i incorporentur omnia simul cum oui albumine: tange maculam, & tege panno lineo, in eodem imbuto.    

Of the accidents which happen to women newly delivered. And first of their after-throwes. CHAP. III.  
WE have hitherto treated of the ordering of a Woman in Childbed, as also of the time when she shall be ready to walk abroad and be churched. But because there do befall them, many accidents, in the time of their lying in, I thought good to write thereof briefly, and to show the means whereby they may be helped and cured.  
And since that the chiefest, symptom that happens unto them, and which comes soon, is the after-throws: therefore I am determined to speak of them first.  
As soon as a Woman is delivered of her child and afterbirth, for the most part, she is taken with pains of her belly, which oftentimes are so great and violent, that she thinks her very belly, would be rend, and cut asunder in divers places, from whence the french word that signifieth these pains and torments, 
Tranchees.  was derived.  

The first cause.  The cause of these gripings or pains, may be threefold. First, either because the Matrice & those parts thereabouts have been sore troubled through the delivery, by striving to be unburdened and freed of the child: or else, 
The second  because the blood that runs, and gathers itself to the Womb, (being retained) grows thick and slimy, that it cannot easily flow, and so makes a distension of the Matrice, it being not able to come away, but in great clots, and hard matter, like unto a false Conception: and likewise when it is altogether retained and stopped, it causes a great extension of the womb.  
Again, it is oftentimes so clear, thin, and sharp, that it flows above measure, and through the acrimony and biting thereof, doth gripe and torment, as it passeth along: 
The third.  The third cause may proceed from the outward air, which is entered, and got into the womb, at the coming forth of the child and the afterbirth.  
Hypocrates hath observed, 
Sentence of Hypocrates.  that women in this evacuation, are troubled with gripings & pains of their first childmore then of any after: the reason is, because their veins are not accustomed to disburden themselves in this fort. Experience nevertheless teacheth us the contrary; for a woman commonly of her first child, hath very few of these pains, and gripings, and the more children she hath, the more she is troubled with them. The reason whereof seems to be this: because the blood, which in youth, is sweet and mild, in process of time gets a bitter, salt, and adust quality, which passing through the veins, procureth this pain: For we find by experience, that the flesh of beasts, or fowl, when they are old, grows unpleasant, as being hard, and harsh to the taste.  
But what ever the cause of these pains be, we must seek to assuage them, and to free the woman from them, aswell as we can. If then these pains be small, and that the after-purging come moderately, we may leave the work, wholly to nature: only giving the woman in childbed the drink we prescribed before: of Oil of sweet Almonds, or of Walnuts, which of late hath been found by experience, to be better, than the Oil of Almonds, so that the Nuts be sound, and white, not rancide, and the oil drawn without fire.  
This Oil is much commended, for the gripings which comes by the acrimony and sharpness of the blood: and in this case also, some easy fomentations of warm Milk, or fit upon the belly and lower parts: 
Fomentation.  Fomentations also with Mallows, March Mallows, parietary, Mugwort, Camomile, Melilot, and Linseed, boiled in Milk, are very profitable.  
When these pains and pangs proceed of thick slimy blood, which cannot easily flow: or of windy matter, which being shut up, cannot be discussed, if the pain continue, beside those aforesaid, you may use these remedies following.  

A Drink.  A Drink easy to be taken.  ℞. Rad. Petrosel. ℥ ss. radic. consolid. Maior. ℥ iij. sem. Anis. & Paenicul. an. ʒ ss. Bull. omnia simul in decocto vituli, vel caponis, q. s. in quo dissolve, croci, gr. iij. capiat mane tepide. 
Or else she may use this powder, of which good proof hath been made:  
A powder Gripe.  ℞. Nucleor. Dactyl. Amygdal. nucleor. Persicar. an. ʒ ss. cinnamon. elect. ʒ i sem. Anis. ʒ ss. nuc. Mosch. ℈ ij. spec. Diamarg. calid. ℈ i. fiat omnium pulvis, capiat ʒ i. cum vino, vel cum aq. Cardui Benedict. vel brodio pulli & vituli, si sit suspicio febris. 
Another. ℞. Rad. Symph. maior. Amygdal. dulc. Nucleor. Persicor. an. ʒ i. Mandibul. Lucij pissis, Carab. an. ʒ ss. Cinnamon. Nuc. Mosch. an. ℈ ij. Ambrae chries. gr. iiij. folia auri, nu. vi. fiat omnium pulvis, capiat ʒ i. cum ovo sorbili, vel vino Hippocratico vel iusculo pulli.  
Some in this case take half a spoonful of Cinnamon water with the yelke of an egg: others with the said yelke of an egg, take two grains of Amber grease.  
If the pains continue, use the Cataplasm following.  
A Poultice. ℞. Vitellos ovor. nu. xii. Pul. sem. Anis. Fenicul. an. ʒ ij. Farin. sem. Lini ℥ ij. Pull flor. Chamaemel. Meliot. an. ʒ i. ss. Calamint. ʒ i. ol. Aneth. q. sa. fiat Cataplasma, Applicetur ventricalidé, auferatur antequam refrigeretur, & iteretur saepius.   

Of the falling down of the Fundament, and Matrice. CHAP. FOUR  
THere are some Women, which are delivered with so much difficulty, and are so long in travail, that to free themues from this misery and anguish, they are constrained to strain, and force themselves in such sort, that the Fundament, or the end of the great gut cometh forth: for a woman, in her delivery must strain and force herself, even as one doth at the stool: It may happen also that the Matrice, may follow the child, and afterbirth; which is the precipitation, or coming down of the womb: the ligaments being loosened, and sometimes broken, either through much striving, or because that the Midwife, or Chirurgeon, in drawing forth the child, or afterbirth, draw the Matrice together with it: which may be done, and yet not they in fault.  
When the Fundament cometh forth, it is to be put up after this manner: First, the Chirurgeon must put up the gut with a fine linen cloth warm, as gently as possibly he can: 
The Cure of the Fundament fallen.  But if he find any difficulty herein, because of some humour, with is come to it, by abiding in the Air, all the time of the travail: or by any flux of humours, which the pain hath caused: then must he bathe and foment it, with a little Milk, wherein Red Roses, white Mullen, Camomile, and Meliot have been boiled: and when he shall see that the swelling is gone, and it is come to itself, then by little and little, he shall put it up, not using any force, or violence at all. 
Foment.  He may also (if the pain be assuaged) foment it with red Wine, in which Plantain, white Mullen, Red Roses, and Balausts, have been boiled, and then presently, he shall gently put it up. The Matrice also being fallen down, shall be put up after the same manner: but we will speak more at large, of this and of the causes thereof, in an other place.   

Of the hurts, and Excoriations, which happen in the lower parts, by childbearing. CHAP. V.  
ALthough neither the Midwife in the natural birth use any violence, in bringing the child into the world: nor the Chirurgeon either in turning, or drawing forth the child, handle or touch the woman, but with all gentleness, and tenderness that may be; yet oftentimes do some contusions, or other hurts happen, in the lower parts of the woman, yea, and excoriations, together with chaps and cliffs, about the part called ●inaeum: in respect that so great a morsel hath used through so narrow a place: Besides that, some women are very strait and close, either being very young, or very old: or because they have used medicines, to make those parts strait and narrow; besides that, in some women the child proves very big.  
For all these accidents, it is good to use at first, (as we have said before) Oil of St john's wort, and Oil of Roses, beaten with whole Eggs all together. If the sides of those parts be bruised, you may use this Fomentation, which will resolve it gently.  
A Fomentation for the contusion of the lower parts. ℞. Maluae Bismalu. an. m. i. Matricar. m. ss. Rosar. rub. flor. Chamaem. Melilot. an. m.j. fiant sacculi duo parvi, coquantur in aequis partibus vini & aquae fontis, & admoveatur parti.  
This Fomentation must be applied only to the entrance, and orifice of the Matrice, lest the ordinary courses be hindered: and the foresaid medicine of Oil of St john's wort, shall be prepared without the whites of Eggs, and applied upon fine lint, or cotton, leaving the passage of the womb open: both to give way to the purge, and ven● to such vapours, as may proceed out of the Matrice  
For the excoriations and chaps, you may use this Ointment.  ℞. Cerae alb. ℥ ss. ol. Amygd. dulc. ℥ i. ss. liquefiant simul, & fiat linimenium. 
Although these kind of ulcers are easily healed, as being but small, 
S●c morb. Mulier. Lib. 1.  (as Hypocrates noteth) notwithstanding, they must be carefully handled, being in a part of delicate and exquisite sense, and full of Nerves.  
Of the medicine last described, you shall make small plasters, and apply them fitly, upon the excoriations, and chaps: And because, (as I have noted) there often happens a rent, or breach about the Perinaeum, near to the fundament, and that when the woman makes water, she feels there a great pricking, and pain; it is necessary that her Nurse, or keeper, apply to that part two or three little linen clouts, spread with the aforesaid Ointment, to keep the urine from touching and galling there. But if the breach or cleft be great, you shall apply there little bolsters of lint, dipt', and dressed with this balm.  
A balm fo● the lower parts. ℞. Ol. Hyperic, ℥ s. Axung. porc. recent. ℥ ij. Ol. é vitellis ovor. ʒ iij. Terebinth venet. ʒ i fiat Balsamum ad usum.  
After that you have applied this Balm, you shall lay upon it, the plaster before described, of wax, and oil of sweet Almonds.  
Sometimes it happens that the whole Perinaeum is divided and rifted, even unto the fundament and that both the passages are brought into one: which accident I have seen and for want of help, the sides of the wound being hardened with a scar, both the passages have continued as one. For remedy whereof, I being once called, and finding the Woman to be with child, I gave her counsel to stay till she were brought a bed: and about six weeks after, she was delivered, being sent for to cure her, I proceeded in this manner.  
First, with a crooked razor, very sharp, I cut away way the scar, and skin which was grown on both sides, as the common practice is, for an hare lip which I have shown in my works of Chirurgery: which work I began from the natural parts, and so went on to the fundament, not taking away much flesh, but only the skin: which being taken off, and as it were flayed away, I suffered the part to bleed well: both to shun an inflammation, and also to make the stitches with my needle, more conveniently. About the midst of the cleft, or division, I passed my needle through both sides, thereof (having first laid them even, as well above and below, as in the middle) and I took good hold of the flesh on both sides, there leaving my needle, about which I did turn and wind the thread on both sides, as useth to be done in the cure of the hare lip: then at both ends of the cleft I gave a stitch, somewhat close, such as is commonly made in simple wounds, and upon it I laid a little clout dipped in a balm, which I have here described, and upon that a plaster of Diacalcitheos'.  
A balm for fresh wounds. ℞. Gum. Elemi. ℥ ij. Terebinth. venet. ℥ ij s. sang. Dracon. Myrrh. Aloesan. ʒ i liquefiant omnia simul, & fiat balsamum. Coletur calidè per linteum, & servetur usui. This is an excellent balm for fresh wounds.  
This cleft or breach was well healed within fifteen days: in which time I gave her two Clysters, beside that which she took first, to prepare her body. But afterwards this woman proving with child again, and being in travail there happened a fresh breach, near to the old scar, but not so long as the other: by reason of the help and care of the Midwife, whom I had instructed to anoint and rub the Perinaeum with this lineament.  
An ointment ℞. Axung. gallin. & Cunicul. an. ℥ s. Axung. por. rec. ℥ i. Ol. Amigdal. dull. ʒ vi. liquefiant simul & fiat litus, abluatur diu, in aq. Parietaria●   

Of the hemorrhoids. CHAP. VI  
WHen the Orifices of the veins near the fundament do swell, and rise, either more & less, according to the quantity of the humours, which do fill them, the greeks call this disease, the hemorrhoids. Of these there are two sorts, the one inward and hidden with in the fundament: the other outward, and apparent The cause here of is store of humours, which commonly are gross, and melancholic, sometimes phlegmatic or Choleric, which filling the said veins, afterward flow down to the ends of them: which humours not finding way to issue out, do extend the veins, in such sort, that sometimes they become as big as Pigeons, nay sometimes Pullet's eggs.  
Many woman as soon as they be delivered, 
Why women are subject to the Hemorr●●des.  are troubled with them, by reason of the great pain which they have suffered. There may be two reasons given here of, the one the great striving and straining to bring the child into the world, which maketh the blood come into the said veins, and dilateth them; the other, retention of their natural courses which being stayed, the blood and humours which should have come foroth, change their course, and being derived into the veins of the fundament, procure the hemorrhoids.  

The differences of Hemorrhodes.  The hemorrhoids do differ, according to the nature of the humour, of which they are bred, for if they proceed of a phlegmatic, and waterish blood, because of their colour, and the likeness that they have to a bladder full of water, they are called Vesicales, or vuales: 
Vesicales or vuales.  and these are white, soft, and not painful, if they breed of a gross & thick phlegm than they are called Verrucales, 
Verrucales.  and ficales: and these are hard, and painful, especially if there be any hot humour mixed with the matter of them, which may be known by their redness. If they proceed of blood and choler, together with some part of Melancholy, being uneven, and rough, like a mulberry, than they be called Morales, these are very sensible, and painful, 
Morales.  and in colour near to a deep dark red.  
Women are subject to all these kinds of hemorrhoids, but especially after they be delivered: But my purpose is not to write so generally of all these kinds, but only of those which are swollen, big, and painful, which chiefly happen to women in childbed, and bleed very little or not at all.  
The cure consists in three things, that is in diet, in diverting of the humour, which flows to the part, & in evacuating that humour which is contained in it: which being done, the pain will be easily appeased.  
For the diet, 
Diet.  it shall be such as we have already prescribed for women in childbed: the humour shall be diverted by letting of blood, first in the arm, & then in the foot, in the vein Saphena, and lastly by applying of Cupping glasses, to the side of the thighs, and that for two purposes: the one to bring down the purge, which being stayed may be thought to be some cause of the hemorrhoids, the other to diminish the quantity of blood, in the crural vein, which being emptied, will draw to it some part of that blood, which flows to, (and it may be, some of that which is contained in) the Hemorrhoide veins. As for the third point, which is to evacuate that blood, which is now settled in the hemorrhoide veins, that may be done, by medicines which have power to resolve and digest and also to assuage pain of which kind is this following, which I have used with good success, and Vigo before me.  
A Decocti●● wherewith fom●t●ar● suftumig●● ℞. Fol. Mal. Bismal. Violar. Parietar. Tapsi Barbat. cum rad. an. M.ij Sem. Cydon. ʒ vi. hord. mund. m. is. furfur. M.iij. sem. lin. foenugraec. integ. an. ℥ iij. Pomor. dulc. aliquantulum confractor. num. xii. l●guae passerinae, virg. pastor. an. m. i. fiat omnium decoctio, in aqu. sufficient, addendo flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. Aneth. an. M.i.s. Bulliant usque ad consumptionem tertiae partis.  
After that she hath received the fume of this decoction or otherwise bathed the fundament herewith a pretty while, let this lineament be applied.  
A Lineament. ℞. Butyr. recent. ʒ x. Ol. de vitellis onor. ℥ s. Pinqued. Anat. ʒ iij. Succi Plantag. Taps. barbat. an. ʒ ij. misce agitando omnia spacio xii. horarum in mortario plumbeo.  
The chief Medicine which is commonly applied, is this.  
Another. ℞. Vng. popul. ℥ i. vitellum unius ovi. Ol. Sem. Lini. ℥ s. ung. refriger. Gal. ʒ v i. misce omnia simul, & fiat litus.  
If the pain be great, you may add hereto a scruple of Opium. I have made often proof of this medicine, 
An experiment of the Authors.  to take all the white of a few Leeks, and cut them small; and then boil them with milk till they come to the form of a poultice, and then lay it hot to the hemorrhoids.  

Rhasis medicine.  john de Vigo, alloweth of the authority of Rhasis, who counseleth to take a white Union, and to fill it with butter, then to bake it in an oven, or in the embers, and so beat it and apply it, like a plaster, which I have divers times made trial of. This plaster also is much commended-  
A Poultice. ℞. Rad. Lilior. albor. ℥ i s. rad. Ireos' nost. ℥ s. scrophular. taps. Barbat. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. Hyperic. an. p. i. Dactyl. num. vi. Limac. rubror. num. x. fiat decoctio, pistentur, passentur, passaturae add farin. Sem. Lini. ℥ s. Butyr. recent ℥ i. Myrrh. Thuris. an. ʒ i Croci ℈ s. vitellos ovor. num. ij. fiat cataplasma.  

An approved remedy.  I have had good experience also of this Medicine, Take twelve red snails without their shells, of millipeds, or Wood-lice 20. or 30. infuse, & parboil them a little in Linceed oil, and make a lineament hereof, and with it anoint the hemorrhoids.  
Another to be ma●● Take of the aforesaid wood-lice, thirty, Cheruil a little handful, boil them in milk, or oil of Violets, than beat them together, and make thereof a kind of plaster, at the last, use this fomentation.  

A foam 〈…〉  Boil White mullen, Scrophularia, and Cheruil together: Take a pint of this decoction, half a pint of red wine, Common salt, and white frankincense, of each half an ounce, boil them altogether again, till there be but two third parts, or there about left, and so use this decoction to the hemorrhoids, fomenting them with little soft sponges.  
Whilst these medicines are used the belly must be kept loose, either with Cassia, or Manna, 
The bel●● must be 〈◊〉  or else with Clysters (if the pipe will enter in easily) that so the excrements may come forth the more readily, and may not burden, or molest the part with their hardness, and weight.  
It will be very convenient also, to let her take of the powder of white mullen, in a little milk, or else in Lozenges, made with sugar, because of the conceit some have, that this herb so taken takes away the hemorrhoids. Some prepare Pills of Bdellium, Galbanum, and the powder of white Mullen; and hereof give the weight of a french Crown. If the hemorrhoids heal not for all these means, I would give counsel to open them with a Lancette, thinking it better to lance, and open them, so to let out the blood, then to apply leeches unto them, because they suck, and bring down, as much blood to the part as they empty, and draw forth.  
And because these hemorrhoids, have oftentimes a great hardness with them this plaster or Poultice may be fitly applied.  
A Poultice. ℞. Rad. Bismal. Lilior. an. ℥ i s. fol. Porri cum Bulb. an. m. i. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. an. m. s. Coquantur omnia in lact, pistent. passaturae. add Bdellij cum axungia Anser & gallinae liquefacti an. ℥ i. fiat Cataplasma.  
Another.  
Take Bdellium melted, dissolve it with goose grease, duck's grease, and oil of Peach Cernels.  
Oftentimes the hemorrhoids, by reason of their hardness, cleave, and so come to ulcers, and chaps.   

Of the after-purging, which come down too abundantly in Women newly delivered. CHAP. VII.  
IT happens to Women newly delivered, that their after purgins sometimes come down too immoderately, other times, that they are suddenly staid. These two accidents are very troublesome, 
●e Morb. muli.  and breed many inconveniences. 
Comment. in. lib. i. Aphorism.  Hypocrates writes, that both these bring many symptoms with them, which Galen also witnesseth saying, If the purge flow in too great abundance, and above custom, it brings women into divers diseases, as Cold, Distemper, Dropsy, and Convulsions: and if the same be stayed, and do not flow at all, than some inconvenience happens to the Matrice, as inflammation, Erysipelas, scyrrhus and at last Cankers. So that we may easily see how fit and necessary it is, that these purge or courses should come away moderately, and in an indifferent quantity. This the Chirurgeon should know by observing the time, and the quantity, which is limited for them, set down in divers places by the ancient writers: And first, 
How long t● purge should flow Hippias de Natu●pueri.  for the continuance of time, that these purge should flow; Hypocrates, doth proportion the time, in which a woman in childbed should be purged, according to the time wherein the child is shaped or form: which is 30. days for a man-child, and 42. at most for a woman child.  
This time may be also measured according to that ordinary time of purging, that is omitted in the nine months, she goes with child, as the blood should be purged in every one of these nine months, as in every one of them, the space of three or four days (which put together amount to twenty seven or thirty six days) so in recompense hereof, when a woman is delivered, she must be purged, 27. or 36. days.  
It is written in Leviticus, 
Leuit. chap. 12  that when a woman hath brought forth a man child, she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days, but if she bear a maid child, than she shall continue in the blood of her purifying 66. days.  

Lib. de morbis Malier.  As for the quantity and proportion of these purge Hypocrates is of opinion, that the purge which a woman should have every month, should be a pint and a half, or thereabouts. And in his book de natura Pueri, he would have a woman in childbed at the beginning should purge about thirteen or fourteen ounces, or a pint, and so the whole space of thirty days for a man child, and forty two days for a maiden-childe, every day diminishing the quantity till it wholly leave her.  

Signs to know whether a woman in childbed be in health or no.  As for the quality of these purge, if the blood be red, as in a beast new killed, and do presently congeal, and thicken, than it is a sign that she is in good health, and will continue so all the time of her lying in. But when these purge come in little quantity, and of an ill colour, and do not congeal suddenly, it is a sign that the woman is not well, nor will not find herself so all her month as the foresaid Author well observeth.  
But it is not to be expected that all women should have their purge in like quantity, for we must respect the habitude of the body, the course of life, the temperament, & other particular things which in divers women, 
Comment. in. 6. Epidemior.  are divers. Therefore Galen saith, that these purge continue long in women that have thin and subtle blood; 
De mor. Mulier.  Hypocrates saith that women that are of full bodies, are purged more exactly, and again he writes, that women, that are more in years commonly have more of this evacuation than they that are younger.  
There may be two causes assigned of this abundant evacuation, the one, outward, as some fall, blow, or painful travail, which a woman may suffer, either in bringing forth her child, or the afterbirth: It may also arise from pasions of the mind, or from the unseasonable use of bath's, or from some other ill government in her childbed.  
The inward causes may be two: 
Inward causes.  either the strength and vigour of the mother, which expelleth and putteth forth so much blood, as is troublesome, and burdensome unto her; and in this kind there is no great danger, because she that is so strong, to expel in this sort, will be also able to retain, so much as will be convenient and necessary for her. Or else chose, this may proceed from the weakness, and faintness of the woman, who is not able to retain, and keep, that blood which nature hath provided for her: and this happeneth chiefly when the orifices of the veins continue open, after the delivery, not being able, 
Hippocrat. morbis Mul●  (as Hypocrates saith) to shut, and gather themselves together.  
The other cause is referred to the blood, which offends either in quantity, or quality, or both: In respect of the quantity, those women have store of these after-purging, which are full of blood; because the Liver breeds more blood, then is necessary: which afterward is voided by the Matrice.  
The quality of the blood, is cause hereof, when it is too sharp, piercing, thin, watery, putrid, or venomous, so that Nature desires to be rid of it.  

The Cure.  As for the Cure, you must fit that according to the cause, and yet there be some general remedies, which may serve for all immoderate evacuations; and of this kind, 
Diet.  is Diet, which must be cooling, and moderately drying. Let her feed upon good meats not salt, nor spiced, nor of strong taste; rather roast, then boiled: and of boiled meats, let her choose, to eat of the heads, & feet. She may use french Barley, new laid Eggs, and Jellies made with astringent herbs. If she take any Broth's, let them be prepared with Borage, bugloss, Le tuce, Purcelaine, Barley, and the cold seeds: Let her shun anger, melancholy, grief, and other such passions of the mind: Let her keep herself quiet, not much stirring, or troubling her body. Let her drink Barley water, or water wherein Steel hath been quenched. You may give her also (if she have not an Ague) a little Wine, allayed with the said waters.  

divers remedies.  Let her make her abode in a temperate place, not too hot; Let her lie upon a Mattress, or straw bed, and not upon a featherbed.  
It will be good to bind her arms hard toward the shoulders, but not the thigh's, although Avicen prescribe it. Cupping glasses applied under the paps, and upon the region of the Liver, will be very sit, as Hypocrates teacheth: and likewise upon the armpits, and shoulders, as Avicen counseleth. The most singular, 
An experiment seen by the Author.  and presentest remedy is to let blood in the arm, which I have seen tried by the most learned Physicians of our age, with very good success: For there is no means, that makes better revulsion, and draws the blood sooner from the place, to which it floweth, then opening of a vein. You shall apply upon the rains, the Os sacrum, and the parts thereabouts, a cloth dipped in Vinegar, and water, and likewise between the legs; but first use this Cataplasm.  
A Cataplasm. ℞. Bol. Armen. sang. Dracon. an. ℥ i. Gummi Tragacanth. ℥ ss. pull. Myrtill. Rosar. an. ʒ vi. succ. Plantag. Taps. barbat. urtic. mort. an. q. s. ad formandum Cataplasma, add unguent. Comitiss. ℥ j ss.  
unguentum Comitissae of itself is very good, as likewise this Ointment following which is approved.  
An Ointment. ℞. Succour. Lactuc. Plantag. an. ℥ j ss. Gum. Tragacanth. in aq. Rosar. Macerat. ℥ iij. Muccagin. sem. Cydonior. extract. in aq. solani ℥ ss. ol. Rosar. Myrtill. an. ℥ j ss. Coral. utriusque Sumach. an. ʒ i. far. Hordei ℥ ss. Cerae parum, fiat ung. add Aceti tantillum.  
You shall give her to drink, a dram of Trochisques of Spodium, with Plantain water, or a decoction made with Horsetayle, Roses, Knotgrass, and Balaustia. Hollerius gives this, as a singular medicine.  
Hollerius h● medicine. ℞. Scoriae ferri crematae, & in aq. Plantag. sepius extinctae, pull. lapid. aematitid. triti, an. ℈ i. Terrae sigillat. ℈ ss. syrup. Myrtillor. Resar. siccar. an. ℥ ss. aq. Plantag. ℥ iij. fiat potus.  
Another. ℞. Sang. Dracon. Coral. rub. usti, Terr. sigillat. an. ℈ i. semin. Rosar. rub. ℈ ss. spodij Carab. Citrin. an. gr. xii. aq. Myrtillor. vel Plantag. ℥ iiij. fiat potus.  
Some in this case give three or four ounces of the juice of Plantain. 
Galen.  Galen affirmeth, that he hath stayed the immoderate flowing of the monthly sickness, with the foresaid juice of Plantain, when nothing else would do good.  
Ludovicus Mercatus commends these two medicines above all other.  
Mercatus his medicines. ℞. far. Hord. Oryz. & Amili, an. q. s. ad formandum panem ponderis ℥ vi. recent. coct. proijce in libr. viii. aq. Chaly beatae, quibus add Rosar. rub. siccar. p. ij. succi Plantag. lb. i. Rad. consolid. Maior. ℥ ij. Caudae equin. m. i. carnis Prunor. syluest. Cidonior. an. ℥ ij. Portulac. m. ij. Bol. Armen. ℥ i. ballast. santal. omnium an. ℥ ss. fiat omnium distilatio, de qua cape mané ℥ ij. addendo syrup. Portulac. aut Rosar. siccar. ℥ ss.  
He likewise commendeth this medicine following, as being very certain, and approved, and of great virtue to stay the sickness.  ℞. Rad. Filipendul. ℥ ij. fiat pulvis, cape ʒ i. cum vitello oui singulis diebus. 
An Electuary. ℞. Cons. Rosar. antiq. ℥ i. carnis Cydon. cond. cons. Rad. symphit. an. ℥ ss. pull. Diamargar. frig. Trochis é Carab. an. ℈ i. Bol. Armen. ʒ i. sang. Dracon. ℈ ij. cum syrup. Rosar. siccar. fiat opiata, exhibenda ad ʒ i. per se, vel cum aqua Plantag.  

Lib. Exper.  Galen teacheth us this medicine, which may be both injected, and also taken inwardly.  
An Iniect 〈…〉  ℞. Mucag. gummi Tragacanth. & Arabic. in aq. Plantag. extract. ℥ iij. succi Plantag. ℥ iiij. fiat iniectio, inijciatur in uterum, & ℥ i. potui praebe. 
This iniection following, may also be very good.  
Another. ℞. Succ. Polygan. ℥ iiij. Mucilag. gummi Tragacanth. extract. in aqua. Centinod. Chalybeat. ℥ iij. Amyl. ℥ i. misce fiat iniectio.  
You shall also make use of this pessary, if there be need.  
An Astringent pessary. ℞. Bol. Armen. Terrae sigillat. an. ℥ i. Litargir. ℥ ss. cum albumine oui fiat astringens pessarium.  
With this you may anoint your pessary made fit for the purpose, either of cotton, or linen cloth.   

Of the Retention, and stopping of the After-purging in Women newly delivered. CHAP. VIII.  
AS a Woman newly delivered is subject to many accidents, by the overmuch flowing of her natural courses: So is she likewise subject to more dangerous and deadly chances, 
Porrhetic. Sect. 2. What L●c●●● are.  if they be suppressed and stayed. Galen saith, that these after-purging, (which he calleth Lechia) are purge of ill humours, which have been gathered in the body all the time, that the woman went with child: For the child drawing to itself, the sweetest and most familiar part of the blood, leaves the worst, which otherwise, if the woman were not with child, should be voided out every month. And if the monthly sickness staid, doth bring many inconveniences to a woman, then much more these Lochia being suppressed, must breed much more danger.  

A sentence of Hippocrat.  Hypocrates in his first book De morbis Mulier: witnesseth this plainly, saying; That when the After-purging come in less quantity, then is fit, than the woman in childbed falls into a sharp Ague, she is troubled with a pain in her stomach, she finds herself ill, through all her body; she feels a pain in the joints of her hands, in her thigh's, and hips, the places about her neck, back, and groin are sore; and there is a weakness in every part: She falls into a vomiting of phlegm, and also of bitter and sharp matter: and finally, she is in danger to be lame and impotent of some of her members: 
The stopping of the After-purging cause death.  For the Matrice hath an affinity and connexion, with many parts of the body; as with the head, and stomach. And if this matter be transported and carried to the head, breast, and lungs, and there make an abode, than the woman dies presently; but if it be voided by the mouth, or nose, than she may escape.  

Outward causes.  The causes of this suppression are of two kinds, either inward, or outward: The outward causes are sadness, grief, sudden apprehension of some ill news, fear, frighting, and such like passions of the mind: Likewise, cold which the woman hath taken, which shutteth up the veins of the Matrice; a bad diet, and amongst other things, 
Lib. de A●r●l●cis, & Aqu●  drinking of cold and raw water: which hath been noted by Hypocrates to be very hurtful unto women with child.  
Now concerning the inward causes, 
Lib. 1. de mor● Mulier. Inward causes.  the same Author writes that the ulcers which happen by reasen of a long and troublesome delivery, do cause an inflammation, and swelling, which makes the side of the womb come together, and shuts up the orifices of the veins thereof: from whence proceeds suppression of the after-Purgins. Likewise the over great quantity of thick and gross blood, may be the cause, as also the weakness of the Matrice, the which because it hath been sore wearied and troubled in the delivery, and thereby lost all strength is not able to disburden and free itself, of the blood whereof it is full.  
Hypocrates also in the same place gives another cause, which is, 
Hippoc. loco citato.  when the mouth of the said womb is shrunk, or turned awry, or else, because the sides of it are sunk down, shut together and inflammed.  
For the Cure hereof, she must observe an order of diet, which shall be moistening, and opening. 
Diet.  Her meat and drink must be such, as we have formerly prescribed, for one newly delivered. She shall take operitive Broths, thereby to open the orifices of the veins, which are much stopped: and according to the cause, so the remedies must be fitted as if it come by any sudden apprehension, grief, or anger, then must she be plasant, and make herself, as merry as she can. If it proceed of any inflammation or heat, that hath thickened the blood, then must she use medicines, that shall moderately, cool, & moisten, as Apozemes made with the leaves and roots of Succory, Burnet, Endive, Agrimony, maidenhair, Couchgrasse, or Gramen, Hops, roots of parsley, and Asparagus, Violet flowers, with the syrups of maidenhair, and de quinq. radicibus. If it be needful to attenuate, and cut or to evacuate any gross and clammy humours, which shut up the orifices of the veins: it will not be amiss to use this fomentation, so that there be no great inflammation of the part.  
A. somentation ℞. Malu. Bismal. Parietar. Matricar. an. m. i Abrotan. Origan. Aneth. Calamint. Artemis. an. m. s. Flor. sambuc. Chamaemel. Melilot. an. P. i. sem. Linifoenugraec. an. ʒ ij. fiant sacculi duo, Coquantur in aq. Communi addendo sub finem vini albi parum▪ pro fotu.  
Of the foresaid ingredients, you may likewise prepare fumes, half baths, and also injections for the Matrice.  
If the said after-purging are suppressed because the inner orifice of the matrice is closed, or turned aside, then will it be very necessary for the Chirurgeon, 
The means to set the womb right.  (after he hath considered that there is neither pain, nor distemperature) to set it right again, by putting up pessaryes, which shall provoke and bring down the after purge, as this following.  
A Pessary. ℞. Cerae novae. ℥ iiij. Mell. ℥ i. styrac. liq. ℥ s. Ol. muschell. ʒ ij. liquefiant omnia simul, addendo Myrrh. Aloes. an ʒ is. farin. Lupinor. ʒ vi. auferendo ab igne impone telam, ex Canabe de qua cooperiatur pessarium ad usum.  
You shall first frame a pessary, and then it shall be covered, with the said cloth; or else dipped and covered with the said medicine.  
You may also make little round bags of a finger's length, in the form of a pessary, which you shall fill or stuff with the herb Mercury, first bruised or beaten, and this may serve for a pessary; this herb is very much commended. If it be needful to have the pessary stronger, you may put thereto a little Mugword, Savine, and Balm.  
It will be very profitable to bind the thighs hard and to rub the legs and thighs, 
Ligatures and frictions.  especially on the inside, all along the crural vain: you may also apply great Cupping glasses, in the said places. Let her legs, and thighs be washed, with that decoction which was set down before for the fomentation. The same decoction also may serve for Clysters, dissolving therein Hiera, or Benedict. Laxativa and mel. mercurial.  
But we must prefer before all these medicines, 
Opening a vein in the foot, is the most sovereign remedy  that which is the most sovereign, which is letting of blood, in the foot, out of the Saphena, or in the Poplitica; which is in the bending of the gartering place: For by this means we shall manifestly meet with the cause of the sickness: And herein we shall follow the example of Hypocrates, who caused the woman servant of Stymargus to be let blood be cause her sickness, or purge were stayed after she was delivered, and by this means she was well discharged of them, although before, she had been in great, and general Convulsions.  

De Morbis mulier. lib. 1.  The same Author saith, that a woman, that hath these purge staid, must have present help, for fear, lest there happen some great inflammation to the part, so that except she be presently let blood, she is in danger of death. Her belly also must be kept loose by Clysters, and if she can vomit easily, she must be helped that way also.  

Epidem. 6.  Galen saith that he hath brought down these purge in women that was pale, lean, and weak, by letting her blood in good quantity.  
I have not here set down any medicines to be taken by the mouth, because I have written many of this kind, in the Chapters going before, wherein I have treated of the means how to make the child or afterbirth come forth, when they be staid, which medicines have power also to provoke the courses or after purge.   

Of the false Conception stayed, and abiding in the woman after her delivery. CHAP. IX.  
IT may happen to some women, that after they have been well delivered of their children, there may stay with them one or more false conception. Some of these false conceptions stick fast to the womb, some are unfastned, and lose. 
Difference o● false conception.  If they be small, they come forth together with the purge; but if they be big, they oftentimes stay, and abide within. And in this case the Chirurgeon must be careful, for if they be big, and cleave to the womb, they may bring much inconvenience to the woman, by their long staying behind. So than it will be necessary for him to know, whether there be any of this kind, and of what nature it is, which he shall learn of the Mother, by demanding of her, how she found herself all the time she went with child. First then let him inquire of her, whether she were very big, at that time, and if she had any hardness, in any part of her belly, whether she hath been used to any such accident, with her other children: for there are women, which at every birth have of these false conceptions, and amongst others Mistress Brague-longue, 
A story.  hath showed the proof hereof: For she going with her second child, could assure me, that then she had a false conception, because she had one with her first child: which she came to know by reason of a certain hardness, which she had upon her left side, near to her short ribs, where she felt a great pain, yea, and her ribs seemed to be borne up, or thrust outward: And indeed, this Gentlewoman, after she was delivered, brought forth one bigger than ones fist, and before she could be rid of it, her belly was swollen with pain and murmurings about her Navel, and toward her loins: she was often troubled with throws: 
Signs.  as if she should be delivered again, by reason the nature did strive, to put and send that forth, which was unnatural.  
Beside these simptomes, women that have false conceptions somewhat bigger, and cleaving fast to the womb, are troubled with great pain about the navel, with unquietness, watering of the mouth, vomiting, and heaviness downward. The pulse is small, and frequent, and some women in this case have the strangury, because the false conception doth press the neck of the bladder: and to conclude almost the same accidents are here, that happen, when there is a mole or dead child.  

The prognosticke.  Those false conceptions that are small, though two, three, four, or more in number (as there may be many) they come forth easily, & are conveyed away with the ordinary purge, but if they be great and hard, they are voided with much difficulty, especially if they stick to the womb, and then there is danger that they will turn into a mole: which must speedily be prevented: 
Hip. lib. de sterilibus.  although Hypocrates wisheth that this should be done with prediction. Now this may be prevented (as he saith) by these three means; first by the use of resolving baths, which have power to moisten the whole body, 
Cure.  and so to dilate and enlarge the passage of the Matrice, that it may come forth: the second is by Clysters and purgations, which may purge forth excrements, and also bring down the natural courses afresh. Thirdly, by injections, which may provoke and stir up the expulsive faculty of the Matrice, to expel the purge and with them the false conconception contained in the womb. But because all these remedies have been handled in the last chapter I refer the Chirurgeon thither.   

Of the falling down or precipitation of the Matrice. CHAP. X.  
THe ancient writers have observed, that the matrice moveth and changeth his place, diversly: and as Hypocrates saith, 
De Morbis mul. lib. 2.  the Matrice causeth great pains in divers places, according as it settleth, and placeth itself.  
If it rise toward the head, 
Hippocrat. lib. 2. the morb. mulier. de natura mulieb. et. 2. Epidem.  than the veins which are in the nose, and under the eyes, suffer pain, the head is heavy, and sometime the woman foameth at the mouth. If the said Matrice moveth toward the liver, presently the woman is deprived of her speech, her teeth are set, and her colour grows wan and pale. If it incline toward the ribs, than the woman falls into a cough with pain of her side: and the matrice hard and painful to be touched, as if there were some ulcer, & she is troubled also with shortness of breath, and sometimes, with Convulsions: and if she continue thus long, she will grow lame: Again if the Matrice turn to one side, there will be a pain felt, right against the place, to which it inclines, together with a pain in the back: and at last she becomes lame of that side as Hypocrates, and Aetius do witness: when it beareth down towards the groin, 
Hippocrat. Epidem 2  and passage of the Urine, than the pain is more violent, together with a dullness, & numbness of the thigh: and suppression of urine: as likewise if it be cast back, toward the great gut, than the excrements of the belly are stopped; If it fall down lower, even to the thighs, than there will be a Convulsion or cramp, of the great toe; and the hips and thighs, will be pained. And therefore not unfitly did Plato compare the matrice to a living creature, 
Plato.  which was as it were engrafted, upon an other living creature. For the Matrice hath voluntary motion, toward every part, and certainly Scimus uterum naturaliter, ut semen excipiat, hiare, et ipso suscepto constringi.  

How the matrice moveth.  But these situations, and change of place must not be understood, in an exact sense. For it is unlikely, nay impossible, that the Matrice, should so run from one side of the body to another, that it should altogether leave his own place. And this hath Galen very well noted, 
Gal. in lib. 3. de Articul. come.  saying, that sometimes the matrice ascendeth upward, and sometimes it is turned aside: not that of itself it leaves his natural place but because it is drawn by some thing else: that is, by the ligaments which hold it up, 
How the matrice changeth place.  and by the nerves, arteries, and veins to which it is annexed. To this authority of Galen I will add farther, that the Matrice may be shut up, and gathered into itself, and so draw with it those parts, to which it is fastened, offending & affecting them, by some spirits, vapours, or wind, which it may communicate unto them.  
But I will leave this curious speculation to Physicians, and will only meddle with that, which belongs to chirurgeons, concerning the precipitation, or falling down of the Matrice, of which there are three kinds.  
The first, 
The first falling of the matrice.  when the neck thereof (which is called Vagina) sinketh and falleth down, even to the entrance of the natural parts, and draws, a little with it, the body of the Matrice: 
Hipp. Lib. de natura Pueri.  And this we may easily learn of Hypocrates, who saith, that the Matrice cometh down in such sort, that you may apply a lineament thereunto: And again, that it cometh nearer to the entrance, than is needful. 
Hipp. Lib. de natura Muliebri. The second kind.   
The second kind is, when the body of the Matrice falleth into the outward neck, called Vagina, and is thrust a little out of the entrance, of the natural parts, and then the inward neck, which is sunk down, shows itself to the light, in the form of the top of a man's yard: 
Hipp. Lib. de Sterilibus de morb. Mulier.  Which Hypocrates also affirms, when he saith, that the womb cometh by little and little, out of the natural parts.  
The third kind is, 
The third kind.  when the body and neck of the Matrice is all sunk down, and turned the wrong side outward: as one should turn the crown of his hat: and then it cometh clean out of the natural parts, and hangs between the thigh's, in the bigness of a man's fist, or more, not unlike to the cod or purses of a man's privy parts, 
Gal. lib. 14. the vs● partium  as Galen writes.  
The general cause hereof is, because the ligaments, which should hold and fasten it, are resolved and broken, which may proceed either of an inward, or an outward cause.  

Outward causes.  The outward cause may be, some fall, or blow, or for that the woman hath lifted some heavy burden; or hath been in some rage, or choler; or had a violent Cough: running also, dancing, leaping, riding in a Coach; taking cold of her feet, sitting upon a cold stone, and overmuch cooling of the Matrice, may be causes thereof.  

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

Hipp. de Natura Mulier. 2.  The said Hypocrates giveth another reason, contrary to the former, which is because she hath had the company of her husband too soon after her delivery, while her sickness is yet upon her.  
But commonly this falling down of the Matrice doth come (as Hypocrates noteth) by being ill delivered: 
Hippocrat. de Ejection Foe●us.  To which also Galen subscribeth, making a similitude of it, to two that wrestle together, one of which falling to the ground, 
Gal. de facult. Natur. lib. 3.  draws his fellow with him, and makes him fall also; even so, the Matrice striving to put forth the child, doth thrust forth itself also; especially if the ligaments, 
A Comparison.  which should hold it to the back, be naturally loose, and weak. It may also happen, that while the Midwife draws forth the child, or the afterbirth, the Matrice may follow it together.  
In this case, although Hypocrates in his book before cited, seem to be of opinion, 
Both old and young may be cured hereof.  that there is no remedy, but for young women, leaving elder women without help. Yet I have cured them, even of all ages, with very good success.  
For the Cure therefore, 
The Cure.  we have three intentions: The first, to bring the Matrice into his own place: the second, to keep it there: the third, to strengthen it, being there kept. For the first, let the Chirurgeon place the woman in this sort: Let her lie upon her back, with her legs higher than her head, and her feet drawn up in such sort, that her heels may almost touch her hinder parts, with her thigh's and knees spread abroad.  
If the Matrice be fallen down, 
The way to put it up.  but a little it may easily be put up, nay, it will even go up of itself: But if it be much fallen down before it be put up, it must be suppled and softened, that so it may return more easy, and with less pain: Let it be anointed therefore, with the cooling ointment of Galen, or else with some such lineament as this.  
An ointment ℞. Axung. Anser. Gallin. an. ℥ i. Ol. Amygdalar. dulc. Lilior. an ℥ s. Cerae parum, fiat litus.  
For a shift, you may take fresh butter, and oil of Roses mingled together: and then use this fomentation warm.  
A fomentation ℞. Malu. Parietar. Matricar. Betonic. Saluiae. an. m. i. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. an. P. i. Rosar. rub. p. ij. Coquantur in aequis partibus vini & aquae. profotu.  
After that you have used this fomentation, put up the Matrice gently, with a soft linen cloth, and when it is put up, let the woman draw up her breath as we use to bid them, that have a Hernia, or bursting, to be put up, and by this means the Matrice will be brought to his place, the more easily. Beside you must remember, that if there be any tension, hardness or inflammation in the Matrice, to soften and supple it, with the aforesaid lineament, and fomentation, and so will the inflammation be assuaged. 
A good observation.  And if you find that the bladder or great gut be full of excrements (as I have seen, not long since in a poor Woman of Masson, by means whereof the Matrice was shut, and kept out) then first you must make way for the Urine by a Catheter, and also void out the excrements by Clitters.  

The second means to help up the matrice  For the second intention, which is to keep the Matrice in his place, when it is well put up and placed, the best and surest means is to thrust up a pessary, such a one as is here described, which hath this power to keep the Matrice up, and yet not put it to any pain.   depiction of pessaries 
Beside, it will not hinder the Matrice from purging out such evacuations, as a woman newly delivered hath, or any other humour, which may be contained in the womb: For this pessary hath a hole in the midst of it, to give such excrements free passage and issue.  
The pessary being put up, let it abide there two or three days, when you take it out, put up a fresh one, keeping that to serve another time. There must also be a little string tied to it, so to be fastened to a girdle, or some other thing, lest it fall down to the ground: The figure here set down doth show the manner of it.  

When astringent medicines are to be shunned.  If the woman be newly delivered, and in her sickness; you must not use any astringent medicine, for fear lest you stay that; but it is sufficient to keep the pessary there.  
When the time of purging is past, then must there a care be had of the whole habit, and constitution of the body. 
Hipp. de natura Muliebri.  Hypocrates wisheth that she eat little, and drink less, the first seven days; after which, she may take some sustenance; and when she would disburden nature, let her sit up in her bed, but not rise from thence in forty days. After that time accomplished, she may walk gently; but in no wise bath herself. If she be full of bad humours, let her be purged, if she hath not had her courses, or purge sufficiently, and if she be full of blood, it will be convenient to open a vein. And because the ligaments, which tie, and hold the Matrice, are oftentimes much moistened, and relaxed with slime, and phlegm, which falls upon them; it will be necessary to dry them, by evacuating, and drawing away the humour, which is the cause hereof. 
Hipp. de morb. Mulier. lib. 2.  To this purpose, Hypocrates doth much commend vomiting, because it riddeth away such phlegmatic humours, 
Vomiting is necessary.  as commonly are in the stomach, by turning them another way. Besides that, the stomach while it heaves itself upward, lifts, and draws up the Matrice with it; but this must be done considerately, because strong and violent vomiting shakes and troubles the diaphragm and guts, making them press downward, and by this means keep down the Matrice.  
here also will it be available to apply large cupping glasses, on the top of the hips, 
Cupping glasses.  under the paps, and under the Navel: as also to bind the upper part of the arms, somewhat hard. Moreover you shall let the woman have good scents to smell to: 
She must hau● sundry smells  as also some things of an ill sent, to put up beneath.  
lineaments and plasters, may likewise be applied upon the back, belly, and groin, such as we have set down, in the Chapter of Abortment.  
As for the third intention, 
The third means to strengthen the mother.  which is to strengthen the womb, you must use to this purpose, Pessaries, Parfumes, Suffumigations, and Injections put up, and applied to the part.  
Let the pessary be of the same fashion prescribed before: but only let the wax, with which it is covered, be compounded in this manner.  ℞. Cerae lib. ij. Baccar. Laur. Absynth. Rosar. rub. an. ʒ i. ss. Nuc. Cupress. ballast. an. ʒ i. sang. Dracon. Mastich. Myrrh. an. ℈ iiij. liquefiant simul, addendo unguent. Comitiss. ℥ i. 
With this wax, thus prepared, you may cover the pessaries made of Cork, in the same fashion as is already described.  
Let the perfumes be made, of the Ingredients aforesaid, 
Ill smells to be put into the Pessaries.  putting thereto a little Laudanum, and Assa foetida, because the Matrice flieth from any thing that is of a bad savour; and let the woman receive this fume beneath, sitting in a chair, with a hole in it. For moist suffumigations they shall be made thus.  
The suffumigation. ℞. Tapsi Barbat. Centinod. Absinth. Matricar. Consol. utriusque fol. Cupress. an. m. ij. Baccar. Laur. Nucum Cupress. Balaustior. an. ℥ ß. Cortic. quercus, Pini, Thuris, an. ʒ vi. Rosar. rub. p. ij. fiat omnium decoctio in aequis partibus vini austeri, & aq. fabrorum, pro suffitu.  
Hypocrates counseleth, to put herein some things of an ill savour as Assa foetida: You may also iniect this decoction, but then let it not be made altogether so astringent; or else let this serve for an Iniection.  
An Iniection. ℞. Fol. Myrt. Lentisc. summitat. rubi, Bistort. Pentaphil. Plantag. an. m. i. Rosar. rub. Hyperic. an. p. i. cort. Fraxin. ℥ i. Rasur. lign. guaiac. ℥ ß. fiat omnium decoctio, in colaturâ ad lb. ij. dissolve sirupi de Rosis siccis, & de Absynthi. an. ℥ ij. fiat iniectio.  

Hipp. Lib. de natura Muliebri.  Hypocrates commendeth a fomentation, made With a man's urine, and afterwards one made with the leaves of the Mastic tree.   

Of an affect, where the sides of the neck of the womb, are united, and joined together. CHAP. XI.  
THere is another troublesome accident, which chanceth to some Women after their delivery. 
The cause.  which is the uniting, and sticking together of the neck of the womb: and this happens through hard travail, which hath torn, and excoriated the sides thereof: or else by reason of some inflammation, or ulcer, which hath there happened, through some sharp and biting humour, which hath corroded and exulcerated the said part: which being neglected and ill cured, the sides not being healed and scared, it happens, that they are joined, and grow together, and so be come one body.  
Galen hath made mention of this accident: 
Gal. lib. de 〈…〉 sectione uter 〈…〉  and we have sometimes seen the experience of it.  
As for the cure hereof the woman must be purged, and let blood, 
Cure.  then bathed for divers days together: and the bath must be made of emollient things: likewise there must be many remollient fomentations used, to her lower parts, and after them divers lineaments, such as we have prescribed in divers places: when the parts are sufficiently softened, then must you place the woman in the same manner, as is described, when she is to be delivered: then when you perceive the smallness and straightness of the passage, 
The practice.  you shall apply a Dilatory instrument made in the form of a speculum Matricis, and by little and little you shall dilate & stretch the parts so joined together, which will part and sever one from another, without any effusion of blood: And this have I practised with good success, of late days upon a tenant of Madam Sacon as I have declared before, and this I did when she was ready to lie down, and yet no ill accident happened upon it.  
But if so be the callosity should be so hard (as by continuance of time it may be) that the said parts should grow together again, and could not be softened, then will it be necessary first to make an incision, that so it may be dilated, more easily. And this hath Mons. Pineau and myself practised, upon a Gentlewoman, as I have more at large set down, in my book of the nursing and government of children, in the Chapter of those that have their natural parts shut up, and without passage.  

Must take heed of letting it grow together again.  The rest of the cure must be performed in that manner which I have set down in the place last cited: and herein must a special care be had, that the parts join not, nor knit together again: to prevent the which, the woman shall wear a pessary continually until such time as the skarrebe perfectly grown, and confirmed: And to this purpose let the speculum Matricis be often used, to enlarge the part: For it is certain, that all such Membranes as have been joined and grown together, when they are divided and severed, do hardly come to that length, and bigness that they were of at the first. And this I have often observed and amongst other places in the mouth, whereof Mons. Pigray and Mons. Pincau the King's chirurgeons in ordinary, & sworn at Paris, will bear me witness, that I together with them cured an honest man, who had one side of his check grown fast to his jaw, 
A story.  which made him that he could not open his mouth, nor speak plain. I cut and separated the membrane, a good way, which did knit and tie these parts together, but while I went about to cicatrise both sides which I had divided: had I not had the greater care to have hindered it, the parts had grown together again, that I was constrained to make a new separation three divers times.   
FINIS.   

THE NURSING OF CHILDREN.  
WHEREJN IS SET down, the ordering and government of them, from their birth.  
Together: WITH THE MEANS TO help and free them, from all such diseases as may happen unto them.  
WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY JAMES GVILLIMEAV the French Kings Chirurgeon in Ordinary.  
LONDON, Printed by A. HATFIELD. 1612.   

THE PREFACE TO Ladies, wherein they are exhorted to nurse their Children themselves.  
AULUS Gellius (in my opinion) did not amiss in putting no difference between a woman that refuses to nurse her own child; and one that kills her child, as soon as she hath conceived; that she may not be troubled with bearing it nine months in her womb. For why may not a woman with as good reason, deny to nourish her child with her blood, in her womb, as to deny it her milk being borne? since the milk is nothing else but blood whitened, being now brought to perfection and maturity.  
But some will say that the child may be delivered to some other Woman, to nurse it, and that the Mother may have an eye and care over it: But (Gentle Ladies) here I desire you to consider with me the great inconveniences that may hence arise, which though they be infinite, yet I will reduce them to four heads.  


1. First there is danger lest the child be changed and an other put in his place.  
2. Then that natural affection which should be betwixt the mother and the child by this means is diminished.  
3. Thirdly, it may be feared, that some bad conditions or inclinations may be derived from the Nurse into the child.  
4. And lastly, the Nurse may communicate some imperfection of her body into the child.    
1. As for the first point, which is the changing of the child, that may easily come to pass; because as soon as the child is borne, and Christened, the Mother presently delivers it to the Nurse, to be carried into the Country: Where the child, being wholly left to the discretion of the Nurse, may by some ill chance be stifled, over-laid, be let fall, and so come to an untimely death: or else may be devoured, spoiled, or disfigured by some wild beast, Wolf, or Dog, and then the Nurse fearing to be punished for her negligence, may take another child into the place of it, which can hardly ever be marked and distinguished: And indeed when children grow somewhat big, and are brought home from Nurse, if they prove not like their parents in body, in conditions and wit, the Proverb goes, That they are changed at Nurse; Which sometimes may be truer, than they are aware of.  
The Historiographers report that Arthebar King of the Epirotes being old, had one only son, whose nurse was corrupted with great gifts to change him, and to take a Gentleman's son into his place. But when the King was dead, the Nurse repenting herself of this wickedness, revealed the error: whereupon ensued such terrible wars, between the lawful and the supposed son, that both of them lost their lives, in a battle. Upon this occasion, Thomistus the seventh King of the Lacedæmonians leaving two sons behind him, when he died; the Lacedæmonians chose the younger of them for their King, because he had been nursed by the Queen his Mother; and rejected the eldest, who had been brought up by a strange woman; fearing lest he had been changed by his Nurse.  
2. For the second point which is natural affection, without doubt that cannot be so earnest, either from the Mother toward the child, or from the chlld toward the Mother; if she have not nursed him and given him suck. For if she nurse him, he sucks and draws her own blood. Whereupon grows a familiar inwardness, and the child (when he comes to years of discretion) finds himself bound to his Mother, for many benefits: both in that she hath borne him nine Months in her womb, and also because she hath nursed him, watched him, and often made him clean. In recompense whereof, he endeavours to show her a thousand delights, to make her forget or take in good part, so much care and pains, as she hath taken with him. He plays a number of apish tricks about her, he kisseth her, strokes her hair, nose, and ears: he flatters her, he counterfeits anger, and other passions, and as he groweth bigger, he finds other sports with her, which causeth that they bear one another such an affection, as cannot be expressed; & makes that they can never be parted: When he is big, and comes to be weaned, if one chide his nurse he cries, and stamps: and if one offers to take him out of his nurse's arms, he will fly in their faces, and if it were possible, he would even pull out their heart: and all this proceeds from that inward affection of the child, to which no love can be compared. And hereupon Plato justly said, That children would never love their parents so well; but that their fathers do often bear them in their arms, and the mothers give them suck at their own breasts.  
And hereof we have a memorable example in Cornelius Scipio, who when he had condemned ten of his most valiant Captains to death, he would not hear his own Brother Scipio Africanus entreating for them, and yet granted their pardon, to one that had been his Foster-brother, and sucked the same Nurse: which being objected to him, by his own Brother, saying; That they had been borne both of one Mother; He answered him, That his Nurse-Mother had deserved better of him, than his own Mother had done. One of the family of the Gracchis, returning from the war, met his own Mother, and his Nurse together: but he addressing himself, first to his Nurse, presented to her a Girdle of gold, and then to his Mother, a jewel of of silver: which she taking indignly, and rebuking him with reproaches, he replied: I know (Mother) that you bore me nine Months in your womb, yet that was out of necessity, because you could do no otherwise; but when I was borne, than you forsook me, and my Nurse-mother willingly entertained me, carried me three years in her arms, and nourished me with her own blood.  
3. As for the manners and conditions of the child, there is no doubt to be made, but that they are better bred and fashioned by the Mother, than by the Nurse. For first, it is delivered by learned writers, that the Manners and conditions of the mind, do follow the temperament of the body, and the temperament ariseth out of the nourishment: so that commonly, such as the humours are, such prove the manners. Hence must we conclude, that the child that sucks a Nurse, that is vicious, and wicked; sucketh also from her, her faults and vices: And beside, when the child comes to understanding, and observes what the Nurse speaks and doth, he retains that, says it after her, and imitates her: and that which is imprinted from the infancy, will hardly, or never be rooted out. For this cause Plato warns us, not to speak, or show any thing before a child, which is not decent, and honest: and Aristotle forbids, to let a child see any wanton or lascivious picture. Then (to return to our Nurse) we may be assured, that the Milk (wherewith the child is nourished two years together) hath as much power to make the children like the Nurses, both in body, and mind; as the seed of the Parents hath to make the children like them. For although the child be borne of honest Parents, nevertheless, the bad nurture of a wicked Nurse, will make the child vicious and wicked: For, (as the proverb is) Nurture prevails more than Nature. This may be plainly observed in all things, that have life: for a fair and flourishing tree, which hath been bred in a good and fat ground, if it be transplanted into a barren ground, becomes a shrub, and bears no fruit, that is good, and tasteful. Likewise, the grain that is sowed in good ground, will bear a fair and odoriferous flower; but if it be cast into bad ground, it will bring forth a bastard flower, without any good or pleasing smell. It is reported, that a certain child, was nourished with the milk of a Bitch: But he would rise in the night and howl with other dogs. Plato going about to give a reason, why Alcibiades was so hardy, although he were an Athenian (who naturally were mild and timorous) resolves it thus: because the said Alcibiades had been nursed by a Lacedaemonian woman, which is a very stout, and valiant Nation.  
4. As for the imperfections of the body, which children may borrow from their Nurses, although they be very many, yet consider only those, which the corpulency, and diseases of the Nurse may bring them. Tacitus writeth, that the Germans of all other people, are the biggest, and strongest of body; and the reason is, because they are nursed by their Mothers, which are big of stature. And it is observed, that they which put forth their children, to women of small stature, have them, neither so big, nor strong and able of body, as if they had brought them up themselves. If a young Lamb suck a Goat, it is found by experience, that the wool of it will be harder, then of other sheep, and he will prove more fierce, and wild, then is natural for his kind.  
And to this purpose, Procopius relates a story of Polopeia, the daughter of Theseus, who being delivered in secret of a son, and desirous to conceal her immodesty, caused him to be cast into a forest, where he being found by a Shepherd, was brought up and nourished with goats milk, (from whence he took the name of Aegistus) which made him so swift of foot, that everyone did admire him for his nimbleness and quickness in running.  
Now, concerning the diseases of Nurses, you shall find more of them, polluted and infected with the french Pox, and other diseases; than sound and healthful. And I have known Nurses give little children the French Pocks, who afterwards lying with their own parents, have likewise infected them.  
Now what a disgrace, and what a sorrow & grief of heart, this would be to a Mother, if such a chance should happen, I leave unto you (fair Ladies) to judge.  
And therefore every Mother should endeavour, by all means possible (if she be not sickly, or too tender) to nurse her child herself; since that nature hath bestowed two Paps upon her, only for that purpose.  
There are no other Creatures, but give suck to their young ones, and if you do but only make a show, that you would take them from their dams, what a coil and stir do they make? If you carry them away, they will run after you, and never leave, till you have let go your hold: desiring rather to lose their own lives, than suffer their little ones to be carried away.  
And therefore let Mothers never put forth their children to nurse (if they themselves be sound and healthful) for fear of being changed. So shall you be sure, to have Children, which will honour and love you, without settling their affections upon a stranger: Then shall you not need to make any doubt, but that your Children will be virtuous, and honest; not being addicted to any vices, which they may take from their Nurses: and they shall not learn any dishonest, or undecent speeches; nor hear any thing that shall be either lascivious, or unbefitting: then shall you be sure, that your children will be healthful, since they have been nourished with good milk, and not fed with Apples, Pears, Sops, and such like trash, which is often given them, for want of milk. And by this means, you shall have fair and goodly children, well brought up, docile, virtuous, loving, strong, and lusty, without any diseases: Then shall you be accounted for Mothers indeed, and not stepmothers: and therefore never make your excuses, that you cannot, nor are not able to endure the trouble, and pains; or that your Husbands will not suffer you to do so.  
And to conclude, I would have you imitate Blanch of Castille, sometimes Queen of France, who nursed the King St Lewes her son her own self; and on a time, as she was out of the way, her child being froward, a great Lady of the Court gave him suck, to still him, and make him quiet: which coming to the Queen's ear, she presently took the child, and thrust her finger so far down into his throat, that she made him vomit up all the milk, he had sucked of the said Lady, being very angry that any woman should give her child suck, but herself.   

THE CONTENTS of the Chapters in this present Book.  

1 OF the Nurse, and what care must be had in the choice of her.  
2 Of the conditions that are required to be in good milk.  
3 What care the Nurse must have, of all the parts of the child body.  
4 How she ought to shift and make clean the child.  
5 Of the child's cradle, where it must be set, and how he must lie when he goes to sleep.  
6 When his own Mother, or the Nurse may give the child suck, how, and how often.  
7 How the child must be made clean after he is awake, and unswathed.  
8 What clothes and dress the child must have, and at what time.  
9 At what time the child may take other sustenance, beside milk.  
10 When a child ought to be weaned.  
11 Of the diseases, which happen unto a child.  
12 How there may happen divers diseases unto little children, as they come forth of their mother's womb.  
13 Of the bigness, and swelling of the head.  
14 Of divers imperfections, that come with the child into the world.  
15 Of the diseases of their eyes ears and nose.  
16 Of the soreness and ulcers of the mouth called Aphcha.  
17 Of the swelling inflammation and soreness of the Gums, called Paroulis and Epoulis.  
18 Of the strings which the child hath under his tongue, that make him tongue-tied.  
19 Of the Cough.  
20 Of the inflammation and swelling of the Navel.  
21 Of the gripings and fretting in the child's belly.  
22 Of the worms.  
23 Of breeding of teeth.  
24 Of Convulsions that trouble children.  
25 Of watchings.  
26 Of the frights, starting and raving of young children in their sleep.  
27 Of the falling down of the gut, or rupture.  
28 Of the difficulty of making water.  
29 The means to help children that piss a bed, and cannot hold their water.  
30 Of the gallings and rubbing away of the skin in the groin and thighs.  
31 Of the accidents which happen to the child's yard:  
32 Of wenches that have no natural passage from their birth.  
33 Of the fundament that is closed and shut up.  
34 Of the scabs that come on the child's head and face unproperly called Tinea.  
35 Of the Measles and the pocks.  
36 Of the cure of the small pocks and the Measles.  
37 How to preserve Children from having the Measles and the small pocks.  
38 Of the French Pocks.  
39 Of the coming forth of hair in children's backs and reins called Morbus Pilaris.    

THE MANNER OF Nursing, and bringing up of children: Together with the Diseases, which may happen unto them, and the cure thereof.  Written by JAMES GVILLIMEAV the French Kings Chirurgeon in Ordinary and sworn at Paris. 

The Preface.  
IT is recorded by ancient Histories, 
Metrop. Salisb. Epise. 36. Scolion ad Tertul. lib. 9 de Anim.  that there have been some Children, which have made a noise, and cast forth cries being yet in their mother's belly: and for proof hereof, they relate, that in the City of Rascat, there was a child borne with two horns, whose moans, and lamentations were herad fourteen days before his birth: But this is rather Prodigious then Natural: as S. Augustine saith, 
Aug. lib. 3. de civit. Dei. cap. 31  For a child naturally, neither laments nor cries, so long as he doth abide in his mother's womb.  
And I have often observed, that a child neither cries, nor makes any noise, neither sighs, though he be half come forth, what pain or anguish soever he suffers in the passing. But as soon as he is born, and sees the light (beside the alteration of the air, which he finds) even very necessity, and his own feeling, do force and as it were wring from him cries and moans, thereby to show, in what need he stands of help. He craves and demands the succour of his own Mother to be nourished and fed, otherwise he would die in a short space; 
Metaph. 10. Martij. Lipom. come. 7.  except he were a second Codratus the Martyr, who was even from his tender age deprived of all human aid, and forsaken both of Father and mother, and all the world beside. But our Lord God did supply this want and caused in recompense thereof that a round cloud, coming down from heaven, did encompass him about, and nourish him.   

OF A NURSE, AND what election, and choice ought to be made of her.  
CHAP. I.  
THough it were fit, that every mother should nurse her own child: because her milk which is nothing else, but the blood whitened (of which he was made, and wherewith he had been nourished the time he staid in his Mother's womb) will be always more natural, and familiar unto him, than that of a stranger: and also by nursing him herself, she shall be wholly accounted his mother: yet since they may be hindered by sickness, or for that they are too weak and tender, or else because their Husbands will not suffer them, therefore I say, it will be very necessary to seek out another Nurse: 
The difficulty of finding a good nurse.  and every one knows how hard a thing it is, to find a good one, because they have been so often beguiled, and deceived therein: which hath given me occasion, first of all to show some marks, whereby you may make some choice of one that is fit.  
Now, in choosing of a Nurse, there are six things to be considered: Her birth and Parentage: her person: her behaviour: her mind: her milk: and her child.  

1. Her Lineage.  First, Concerning her Lineage, she must come of a good stock, or kindred: there being none of her race, whether it be grandfather, or grandmother, nay, not so much as one of her great grandfathers, or ancient progenitors, that hath ever been stained, or spotted, either in body or mind: For, oftentimes we see, though the Parents be healthful, and sound, yet their children be sometimes, either sickly, or fools, or else viciously given: who retain such vices from their grandfather, grandmother, yea, and sometimes from their great grandfathers; which troubleth many men, to think from whence these accidents may proceed: For it is very certain, that there are many Children, which are diseased or deformed, either in body, or mind, whose parents are very healthful, and well featured: But yet, if you search farther, you shall find that some of their progenitors have been affected in the like manner.  

2. Her Person.  2. Touching the Nurse's person; for her age, she shall be chosen, when she is at her full growth, which is about five and twenty years of age, from which time, to the five and thirtieth year, is the age, wherein women are most temperate, healthful, strong, and lusty: therefore one shall be chosen, that is between five and twenty, and five and thirty years. 
Her Stature.  Now, for her body, she ought to be of a middle stature, neither too big, nor too little, nor too fat, nor too lean, nor yet too gross, having good fleshy arms, and legs; and her flesh being hard and firm: she must not be deformed, neither squint-eyed, lame, nor crump shouldered: she must be one that is healthful, and not subject to any disease: the complexion and colour of her body, must be lively, and rosy: she must not be spotted with redness, 
A red haired Nurse discommended.  and especially she should not have red hair: and therefore, such as are of a brown complexion, are held to be best, whose hair is of a chest-nut colour, between yellow and black.  
She must have a pleasing countenance, 
Her Countenance.  a bright and clear eye, a well form nose, neither crooked, nor of a bad smell, a ruddy mouth, and very white teeth: She must deliver her words well, and distinctly, without stammering: and she must have a strong and big neck: 
A Nurse's perfections.  for thereby (as Hypocrates saith) may one judge, of the strength of the body. She must have a broad and large breast, garnished with two Paps of a reasonable bigness, neither limber, nor hanging down, but between hard and soft; full of Azure veins and Arteries, not being either knotty, or swollen bigger than they should be: the nipple which is in the midst of the breasts, aught to be somewhat eminent, and withal a ruddy colour like a Strawberry, it must be of a reasonable bigness and thickness, and of an easy draft, that the child may take it the better, and suck the easier.  
She must not be with child, neither should she have her natural purge; 
Hipp. lib. 2. Epidemiar.  though Hypocrates seems to allow the contrary: relating the story of a Nurse, whose body was full of Pustules, of which she was freed, as soon as she had her ordinary sickness: desiring (as some Interpreters would have it) to show, that it is not without reason, for the Nurse's health, that she should have her courses: thereby to cool and cleanse the blood, whereof the milk is made.  

3. Her Manners.  3. She ought to be of a good behaviour, sober, and not given either to drinking, or gluttony, mild, without being angry, or fretful: for there is nothing that sooner corrupts the blood, of which the milk is made, than choler, or sadness: and therefore she must be merry, playing and singing to the child, dandling and using him gently; and one that will not refuse to give him the breast at any time, for fear lest he cry. She must likewise be chaste, not desiring after her husband's company, and much less a strangers; because carnal copulation (as Galen saith) troubleth the blood, and so by consequence the milk; also it diminisheth the quantity thereof, by provoking the natural purgations; and also makes her have an ill smell, (as Aristotle saith) because they heat themselves very much in this act: and which is worst, the Nurse thinking only to take her sport a little, may thereby prove with child.  

4. Her Mind.  4. Concerning her mind: Let her be sage, wise, discreet, that she may take care of her little one, and not lay him in any place, where he may endanger himself, to be either sick, or stifled: For, there are more Nurses than should be, which are such beasts, and so careless; who having their child suck in the night, as they lie with them in the bed, do oftentimes fall a sleep upon them, and so stifle them. And she must also have discretion, to judge somewhat near, what her little one crieth after, it being not able otherwise to express what it would have: 
Gal. de Sanitat. tuenda.  Observing (as Galen saith) the child's disposition, that so she may give him that, which he craves or desires, or else take away such things as shall offend him: playing with him, kissing him, dancing him gently in her arms, and singing withal: and she must likewise open him often, to lay and keep him dry and clean.  

Of the conditions which are required in good Milk.  
THe choice of good Milk is, 
The quality of good Milk.  that it be of a middle substance, that is to say, such as shall be neither too waterish, nor too thick: For that which is too waterish and thin, may cause the child to have a scouring, and beside, it yieldeth no good nutriment: And the Milk which is too thick, is easily curdled, and not so soon digested, and so causeth obstructions, from whence the matter of the stone is bred. As for the quantity of Milk: 
Quantity of Milk.  a Nurse should rather have too much, then too little: because when there is but little, it will be hard for the child to draw it; when as if there be plenty, it will come the easier, and even thrust out itself. Moreover, if the child should suck the breast dry; then that which shall come in the room of it, cannot be well concocted so soon: Besides, if the child should chance to have an Ague, then would he suck, and consume a great deal. Again, the Nurse besides a sufficient quantity for the nourishing of the child, must have some to mil● to 〈◊〉 eyes, if he should chance to have any i●●fe● to● there: as either heat, pimples, or itchy that so it may be cooled.  

The colour of good Milk.  As for the colour, it must be white, according to the common saying: (As white as Milk) for the Milk which is bluish, makes show of Melancholy, as the yellow doth of Choler, and the reddish, that it is not well concocted, and signifies either that there is a weakness in the breasts, or else an ill quality of the blood whereof it is made, which hath not been concocted and corrected by the natural heat of the paps.  

The smell.  Besides, good Milk ought not to have any strong smell, but rather a sweet sent, which smelleth neither hot, nor sour, nor yet adust, for such smells show, that the blood, of which it is made, is overheated or putrid.  

The taste.  And concerning the Taste; that Milk which hath a sweet savour is much commended: as contrariwise, that which is either sharp, sour, or bitter, is to be refused, and therefore not chosen for good.  

A proof of the goodness of Milk in quantity.  Now the trial there of may be made in this sort; as to know whether it be of a good substance: let the nurse milk some few drops of it, upon a looking glass, or other sleek thing: and if in holding it gently aside, it flows and runs presently, and keep not together a little, than it is a sign that the milk is waterish, and too thin, If it stand still, and will not run at all, than it shows that the milk is too thick and fat: But if it run leisurely, not staying either too long, or flowing too soon, upon the said smooth body: it showeth that the milk is of a middle substance, and aught to be reckoned and chosen for the best.  
The quantity of the milk may be known thus: 
A trial of the quantity.  if there remain some in the breast after the child hath done sucking: and again, if in opening the child you find him bepissed: But you must have an eye that your nurse be none of these Cooseners (for there be some) that give the child water to drink in secret, and others, which wet the child's bed: But such Nurses deserve to be whipped, and their knavery may be easily descried, both by the eye and the sent and likewise discerned by the taste.  
Now the observation, 
The choice of a Nurse by her child.  which is taken from the Nurse's child, for the choice of a fit Nurse, is concerning his age: For if her child be above seven or eight months old, than her milk will be too stale afterwards: and besides it would be a doubt, whether she would have milk enough to nurse him, that should be put unto her.  
Again, if the child be but fifteen days or a month old, that shows, that her milk is too new, and that it is not as yet well purified: because the mother is not wholly purged and cleansed.  

Avicen.  So Avicen commands, that a child should not be put to suck a Woman, till at least two months after her delivery; and at the farthest not after eight.  
And because the sex of the Nurse's child must likewise be observed, Aegineta wisheth, that it should be rather a man child then a maid child: because the milk is hotter, better concocted; and not so excrementitious; And he addeth farther, that it is fit (whether it be a boy or a wench) that the mother have born her burden, the full time. For those that are commonly delivered, before their time, for the most part are not sound, but sickly: though there be many healthful women, which go with their children but seven Months.    

How a Nurse ought to order herself, concerning her Diet, and manner of life. CHAP. II.  
IT is not enough that a Nurse be endowed with the conditions and qualities aforesaid: but it is very fit also that she maintain and preserve them: wherefore we will set down briefly, how, and in what manner, she ought to govern herself.  
First of all therefore let her shun, and avoid all bad air, and all kind of ill and stinking smells: for such scents as are too strong, are nought and hurtful for her, because they infect and overheat the spirits, and blood, whereof the milk is made: 
What meat a nurse must refrain from.  She must likewise avoid all meats, that are either too much salted, or spiced, or of a strong taste, as Onions, Leeks, Garlic, Mustard, and all kind of Baked Meats, and old cheese: Let her eat Veal, Mutton, Chicken, Kid, Partridge, and such like meats which are of good juice, and of easy digestion: 
What meats she shall use.  and she must use them in moderate sort, without glutting herself.  
All sorts of fish are hurtful for her, except it be in small quantity: she may eat jack, Sole, and Quauluer; and if she eat no fish let her use new laid eggs.  
Her meat must be rather boiled, then roasted, but yet there must be had a respect to the habitude and complexion of the child: For if he be very moist and phlegmatic, than the Nurse shall rather use roast-meat: and so of other complexions.  
Her bread shall be of good wheat, well made, 
Her Bread.  light, and baked as it ought to be.  
Let her put into her pottages, Lettuce, Sorrell, 
Her broth.  Purcelaine, Borage, bugloss, and Succory.  
She shall refrain from all kind of raw fruits.  
For her drink, let her take Ale, or Beer; 
Her drink. A kind of drink which they use in France which they call Bouchet. Aristotle.  and where that cannot be had, Barley water; or water sodden; or else a small kind of Hydromel or mead which hath but a little Cinnamon in it.  
But I would rather counsel them, to drink Wine and Water together. Aristotle forbids wine, both to the nurse and the child, except it be (as they say) well christened.  

Her exercise.  She must use moderate exercise, and chiefly before meals: For moderate exercise, doth strengthen the natural heat, and consumeth all superfluities. The parts which ought to be most exercised, should be rather the uppermost, as the shoulders, and arms: because that the exercising of them, makes the blood & spirits the sooner ascend into the breasts.  

Her sleep.  For her sleep that cannot be either limited or prescribed: because the Nurse is oftentimes constrained to watch, when the child is either froward or sick. And therefore she must take her rest when she may, whether it be in the day, or in the night, as the child will give her leave.  
Her belly must be always loose, and if it chance to be bound, she may take a Clyster. Let her use Broths, Prunes, and Apples well sodden, that so she may keep herself soluble.  
She must shun all disquietness of mind, and she must be merry and pleasant, neither vexing, nor grieving, nor too choleric.   

The care which a Nature must have of all the parts of the child's body. CHAP. III.  
THe Nurse should be chosen a month or two before the woman be delivered, that she may always have an eye over her, and her child, and then as soon as the Woman shall be brought abed, and that the child hath passed through the hands of the Midwife, or keeper, and is swathed by them he shall be delivered to the nurse to give him suck, and have a care of him.  
First of all, let the Nurse consider and view all the parts of the child's body, beginning at the head, observing whether it be well fashioned or no: that if it chance to have any ill form, or figure; that then it may be mended as well as it may, which shall be done by bringing the said head unto the form of a bowl, a little pressed and made flat on both sides: 
How to fashion the child's head.  in such sort that neither the forepart, nor hinderpart of the head, stand too far out, nor yet be too flat: which shall be done with such head-cloths, as they use commonly to wear, stroking it by little and little, without much pressing or crushing it, as some Nurses do: but only handling it in a mild and gentle fashion.  
Upon the Mould of the head you shall lay a piece of kotton orkersey: some use to lay a piece of scarlet.  
The ears must be cleansed: 
The child's ears must be cleansed.  with little rags made like tents: and the Nurse must look whether the holes be well made, that there may not remain any filth either within, or in the wrinkles and folds behind them. And as Rhasis saith, the ears must be a little pressed to the head, that they may not hang down.  
Let the ears also be wrapped about with fine linen clouts, that they may not be over heated, and so stick to the head, by the means of some gross matter, or sweat which commonly is bred there.  

The eyes cleansed.  But above all, the eyes must be looked unto and wiped with a fine linen cloth, especially about both the corners, that if there should chance to be any filth gathered in those places, it may be taken away. Avicen puts there a little virgin oil, because it mitigateth and taketh away the roughness and nitrosity which might remain about the child's eyes, through his long swimming and lying in his own sweat and Urine, while he was in his mother's womb. I have seen in some children, that (after they have been borne) there hath run out of the corner of the eye, many days together thick drops of blood, which congealed presently. There are many children likewise borne blear eyed, for the helping whereof, the Nurse shall use to anoint the corners of the eyes with a little unguentum Tutiae, and likewise spirit a little of her milk into them.  

The nose must be cleansed.  Now concerning the child's nose, it is fit, that it should be opened, and dilated gently, washing and cleansing it with a little warm water. The same Avicen bids, that it should be anointed with a little Virgin Oil, which must be done with the top of ones finger, the nails being pared very near and even. And if you chance to find some little membrane, or skin, that stops up the holes, and passage thereof, it shall be cut asunder, that there may be a passage for the excrements of the brain.  
And for as much as the head of a child aboundeth with store of moisture, (as Galen writeth) which is purged and voided by the mouth, nose, and other passages: therefore it will be very fit that the Nurse have a care to the taking of them away for fear lest by their stay, they either fall down upon the lungs, or into the stomach, 
For the cleansing of the mouth.  or else grow to be dried, which happening the Nurse must put her finger being anointed with honey, to the bottom of the child's mouth, and rub it above and under the tongue, which she may do also with syrup of Violets.  
Besides she shall look whether the fundament be well opened, and whether there be any filth bred there or no: as also, whether the passage of the yard be free: and if it be a wench, 
Care to be had of the fundament.  whether there be any membrane, that doth stop up the entrance: Not long since, I made a new passage in a little child, who had the hole of his yard grown, and as it were glued together: and an other boy, which had the string of his yard so short and strait, that it made the head of it (called Balanus) bow downward, and seemed as though it had no passage, but as soon as I had cut the string, the yard came to the right fashion.  
And concerning the membrane which sometimes stops the passage: I have made incision of the like membrans, in three girls, and lately in the daughter of M. james Boyzard.  
As for the arms and legs, 
For the arme● and legs.  if they be either crooked or stand awry, they must be set strait with little swaths, & fit bolsters, made for the purpose: as likewise if either the back bone, or the belly, do stand out. But for these they must repair unto a Chirurgeon: who must show and instruct the Nurse how she ought to proceed herein, when she shifts the child.  
Galen would have us, to look to these deformities betimes, 
A Precept of Galen, de sanitat. tuend.  because the bones (through their softness & tenderness) are more easily made strait and are apt to be set in their right place & form, then when they are grown drier: it being then very hard to amend such errors, as the same Galen saith. 
Gal. de arte medica.    

How the Nurse must shift the child. CHAP. FOUR  
WE must not only have a regard, to such defects of Nature, as the child may bring with him from his mother's womb, and cure them: but we must also look, and have an eye, that the Nurse, or she that swaths, and dresseth him, do not make him worse: and of a well fashioned child, in all the parts of his body, do not make him deformed or misshapen, and so spoil him. For in swathing the child, most commonly they bind and crush him so hard, that they make him grow crooked. Some swath all the child's body hard to make him have a goodly neck, and to make him seem the fatter: but this crushing makes his breast and the ribs which are fastened to the backbone, to stand out; so that they are bended, and draw the Vertebrae to them, which makes the back bone, to bend and give out either inwardly, or outwardly, or else on the one side: and that causeth the child to be either crump-shouldred, or crooked breasted, or else to have one of his shoulders stand farther out then the other, some also bind the hips so hard that they become very small, and that hinders them from growing and waxing big. Which doth much harm, especially to maids, 
Inconvenience of hard swathing the hips.  who should have large hips, that when they come to age, they may bring forth goodly children.  
Galen hath observed, 
Gal. decaus. morber.  that the too strait and hard binding or crushing of the hams, and legs of little children, when they are swathed, doth make them grow crooked legged and they will remain, as the Latins call it Vari or Valgi; going either inward or outward with their knees. This imperfection may also happen through the Nurse's fault, by carrying the child always upon one arm, and the same side: and by holding the child's knees hard towards her, making them stand like a bow: For the preventing of which mischances, the Nurses shall carry their children, sometimes on the right side, and sometimes on the left. And they must likewise swath them, but loosely, stretching down their arms, all along their sides, without binding or crushing them hard together.   

Of the child's cradle, and how it is to be placed; and also how the child ought to be laid when he goes to sleep. CHAP. V.  
WHen the child shall be thus dressed, and swathed, it will then be fit to let him sleep and take some rest, for which purpose he must be laid in his cradle: fitted with a little mattress, which shall be laid deep to the bottom, that the sides of the cradle may be a great deal above the mattress; that so the child may as it were sink down in his cradle for fear lest he fall out of it. Then upon the Mattress shall be laid a pillow, 
How to order the Cradle.  that is somewhat soft, to lay the child upon, letting him lie the first month upon his back: but afterwards when he is waxed a little bigger let him lie sometimes on his right side, 
How to lay the child.  and sometimes on the left, having his head a little raised up, that the excrements of his brain may the more easily flow and pass through the emunctoryes thereof: And he must be bound and tied in with strings, lest in rocking him, he fall out of his Cradle. At the head of the Cradle let there be a little Arch made of wood, or Ozier to lay a coverlet over it, thereby to keep away the wind, and that no dust fall upon him. But it would be more convenient (for those that can fitly have it) to set the Cradle within a little bed, the Curteynes drawn round about it.  
Now, 
The place where the Cradle shall be set.  concerning the place where the Cradle must stand, it will be very fit, that it be in a chamber that is neither too light, nor to dark, nor too hot, nor too cold: For if it be too light, it spends the spirits of the sight, and hindereth the child from sleeping: if it be too dark, it makes him desire the light, and causes him to be melancholic: if it be too hot, it will stifle him, & make him apt to catch cold, when he comes into the air: if it be too cold, it brings him to a murr, or stopping in the head: and therefore it will be best to keep a mean in all of them: And especially you must have a care, that the Cradle, and bed, stand not near the door, chimney, or windows, that the light do not draw the child's sight awry, and so make him prove to be squint-eyed: and therefore the fire, or the candle must be set right against his eyes: For if they were on either side, the glimpse will make the child turn and role his eye aside, to follow the light, and so the use and motion, which the Muscles would get thereby, may make him either squint or goggle-eyed.  
Oftentimes the child cannot sleep after he is laid down, and therefore he must be gently rocked, to invite him thereto, and not hastily or too fast, for fear of making the milk float in his stomachs; and his Nurse shall sing by him, because singing provokes sleep, and keeps him from crying.  
Till the child be two year old, he may sleep at all times whensoever he will, yea he may fall asleep at his mother's teat as he is sucking: and if you would observe the space of time for sleeping which the Ancients did, it must be thus: Till the child be three or four years old, let him sleep more than wake. But according to Galen, he ought herein not to exceed mediocrity, otherwise it is dangerous: for long sleeping cooleth and moisteneth the brain, and there retains superfluities. And Avicen saith, that it doth benumb and besot the child's senses, and makes him dull and lumpish.   

When the Mother herself, or the Nurse, aught to give the child suck, and how, and how much. CHAP. VI  
IT is very fit that either the Mother, or some other Nurse for her, do give the child suck after he is borne: if it be the Mother herself, it must not be at the soon, until eight days after her delivery: Some also are of opinion, that the mother herself, should not give her child suck in the month, by reason she hath been troubled and tired in her lying in: and because she is not as yet, well cleansed and purified of her after-purging, which commonly last a month, as Hypocrates saith: In which space she shall let little pretty whelps suck her breasts, to make her milk come the better, and that it go not away.  
Some women do make their keepers draw their breasts, and others draw them with glasses themselves: Besides, Avicen commands, that a woman should not give her child suck, until she be well recovered. Now, you know that some are well sooner, and some later, and so there can be no time limited or prescribed: But above all it must be observed, (as the same Author saith) that the Nurse do not give the child suck, after she is risen, before she hath milked forth some of her milk: And likewise, she shall not give him the breast, if by chance she hath over heated herself, either by some exercise, or else with going, till first she be come into a good temper, and well cooled.  
Now, in giving him suck, 
The manner how to give the child suck.  she shall observe this order: She must sometimes spirit some of her milk, either upon the child's lips, or else into his mouth; and when he hath left the nipple, she must crush her breast a little, that he may draw and suck with less labour, and she must be careful, that he swallow not down too much at a time, and that the milk come not out again at the nose: Besides, she must sometimes take away the teat, and give it him again, that he suck not too much at once, and too greedily.  
It is very hard to set down, 
What quantity of milk the child may suck.  the quantity of milk that a child should take; But therein the nurse must have a respect to the age, complexion, temper, and to the desire which the child hath to suck, increasing it, as the child groweth, or according as he is thirsty, either through some sickness, or when his teeth come forth: for at those times he is more dry, then otherwise. Now to know how often the child should suck in a day: Paulus Aegineta appoints, that it should be twice a day, or thrice at the most: which he meaneth for the first four, or five days, that he may be acquainted therewith by little and little, and also because there is then no great need. I have seen children that have not sucked in two or three days, after they were borne; for they know not then, whether they are yet in their Mother's belly, or no: where they sucked not at all; 
Hippocrat. lib. de princip.  although that Hypocrates saith, that the child receives some nourishment by the mouth, while he is in his Mother's belly. It can neither be told nor limited how often he ought to suck in a day; because it is fit he should have the teat, as often as he crieth: yet let it be but a little at a time, because the stomach at first is but weak. And if he wrangles but a little, it will be best to still him, either with rocking, or singing: And though he be not quieted, or stilled, a little crying can do him no great harm, but rather may serve for some good use: For it makes him run at Nose, shed tears, and spit: it purgeth his brain, yea, and stirreth up his natural heat, and also dilates the passages of the breast. But if he cry too violently, and eagerly, it may do him much harm, and cause him to be bursten, or break some vessel in his breast, or else bring the headache.   

How the child must be made clean, after he is awake and unswathed. CHAP. VII.  
AFter the Child hath well sucked, and slept, the Nurse must shift him, and make him clean: For which purpose the Nurse, or some other, must sit near the fire, laying out her legs at length, having a soft pillow in her lap, the doors and windows being close shut, and having something about her, that may keep the wind from the child. And when she is thus accommodated, she shall unswath and shift him dry. If he be very foul, she may wash him with a little water and wine lukewarm, with a sponge or linen cloth.  
The time of shifting him is commonly about seven a clock in the morning, than again at noon, and at seven a clock at night: and it would not be amiss, to change him again about midnight; which is not commonly done. But because there is no certain hour, either of the child's sucking, or sleeping: therefore divers, after he hath slept a good while, do every time shift him: lest he should foul and bepiss himself. And surely there be many children, that had need to be shifted, as soon as they have fouled themselves: which I would counsel you to do, and not to let them lie in their filth.  
When you change his bed, you shall rub all his body over, with an indifferent fine linen cloth: and then his head must be rubbed, and made clean: and when he is four or five month old, his head may be cleansed with a fine brush: and when he is grown bigger, let it be combed.   

What clothes and coats the child must have, and at what time. CHAP. VIII.  
AS soon as the child is somewhat grown, and that he cannot well keep his hands swathed in, and hid any longer, (which is commonly about the twentieth or thirtieth day, according as he is in strength) then must he have little sleeves, that having his arms and hands at liberty, he may use and stir them: and then the Nurse shall begin to carry him abroad, so that it be fair weather, to sport and exercise him, not carrying him out into the rain, or into the hot sun, nor when there is any rough wind.  
And therefore he must be kept in the shade avoiding all ill airs, as of sinks and the like: And if he should chance to be frighted with any thing, the Nurse shall endeavour to take away the apprehension thereof, and hearten him, without making him afraid. I have seen some children, that with a fright, have fallen into the Epilepsye or falling sickness, the Physicians not being able to give any other reason thereof, but only the fear he had taken.  
If by chance he doth cry and weep, then shall you endeavour by all means to still him, and not let him cry, observing diligently what it is he cries for, and what may be the cause thereof: that as Galen saith, he may have that he desireth, or else be rid of that which offends and troubleth him.  
But the same Author saith, 
Gal. de Sanit. tuenda.  that children generally are stilled and quieted by three means: by giving them the breast, by rocking, and by singing to them: They may be also stilled by giving them something to hold in their hand, or by making them look upon somewhat that pleaseth them, as also by carrying them abroad.  
About the eighth, or ninth month, or at farthest when the child is a year old, he must have coats, and not be kept swathed any longer. And if it be Summer, he must be coated sooner because of the heat, which makes the body oftentimes, to be full of weals and pimples. And some may have coats sooner, according as their strength will suffer it; of which an especial care must be had. And chiefly the Nurse must let him have a hat, that may be easy and large enough, which may cover all the forepart of the head, without being curious (as they say commonly) to make him have a goodly high forehead.   

At what age the child may take other sustenance beside Milk. CHAP. IX.  
THe child must be nourished with milk only, 
Gal. lib. 1. de sanitate tuenda  till his foreteeth be come forth both above, and beneath: as Galen writeth: for being nothing else yet but as it were milk it is very fit and probable that he should be nourished with no other food: 
The childs food.  Besides the teeth are chiefly ordained by nature, only to chaw: and therefore when he hath none, he ought not to be fed with any solid meat. But as soon as they are come forth it showeth that Nature hath given him those instruments, to make use of them: and therefore he may then take more solid meat, if you think he can digest it. For to give him any other nourishment, than milk or dish-meate, before he have teeth, it might breed great store of crude humours, and winds, which oftentimes (as Avicen saith) do cause the child to have bunches, or contusions, about his back bone,. and ribs. Nevertheless, though his teeth be come, yet must you not give him meat, that is too solid, or in too great quantity: but at the beginning, you may give him sops of bread, or Panado, or Gruel: afterward he may suck the leg of a Chicken, the greatest part of the flesh being taken away, that he may the better pull, and gnaw it, and this is but once or twice a day, & that too, when he is almost ready to be weaned (as Rhasis saith.) And this also doth serve to whet and rub his gums which about that time begin to itch. And when he is fifteen months old, or a little more, then may you give him the flesh of a Capon, or of Partridge minced and mingled with some broth, made either of Veal, Mutton, or Chicken, adding thereto some sops of bread. For the Ancient writers forbid, that we should give them any store of meat, before they are two years old: because they are not able to chaw, and digest it, and also for that they have not so much need of nourishment; And therefore you must stay till you have weaned him, before you feed him more plentifully.   

When the child ought to he weaned. CHAP. X.  
IT is a very hard thing to set down a certain time, when a child ought to be weaned; Notwithstanding if we will believe Paulus Aegineta, and Avicen, he must be weaned, when he is two years old, and hath all his teeth come forth. Now in some they come forth sooner, and in others later: and to wean him before they are come forth, might be an occasion, to make him have many diseases.  
Wherefore to know certainly when a child should be weaned, and that he should wholly feed upon other meat, it must first be observed, whether he take his meat well; and if he be able to chaw it thoroughly: whether he be sickly or else strong and lusty.  
Concerning the time and season of the year it must be when the wether is neither too hot, nor too cold: and therefore the fittest time will be the spring or in Autumn. But sometimes there is necessity to wean him at another time, yea & before two years, by reason that his nurse may chance to be sickly, and that he being come to some knowledge will not suck another. It may also happen that the child is to be weaned before he be two years, old for that the milk (although otherwise it be good) doth curdle and grow sour in his stomach, which requireth stronger meat.  
Now to wean a child well, let them observe this method following: First the teat shall not be wholly taken from him, but he shall suck a little, and eat a little meat; and so continue for a few days: then afterwards he shall not suck in the day time, though in the night, they may give him a little. Nevertheless, it will be very fit in the morning, when he is awake and hath been shifted and dressed, to give him suck a little, and then to let him stay two or three hours before he take any thing, afterward to give him somewhat to dinner, as some pottage, or panade, with a little flesh minced, or cut very small, and then let him stay two hours without giving him any thing, at which time you may give him a little suck, and lay him to sleep: And when he is wakened and hath been made clean, than the Nurse shall carry him abroad into the air, if it be fair wether, and give him suck, and then lay him to sleep again, without letting him eat any solid meat, or very little. At his dinner they shall give him to drink a little boiled water: and this order shall be kept a whole month, 
That is in France, where they have not Ale or beer.  and when he shall be accustomed to eat solid meat then the teat shall be quite taken from him.  
It happens oftentimes that the child will not forsake the breasts, but still crieth and is very eager after it, and then you must make him loathe it, anointing the Nurse's breast with Mustard, or else rubbing the top of the nipple with a little Aloes, and likewise make him ashamed of it.   

Of the diseases which happen to a child. CHAP. XI.  
HItherto we have showed what manner of Woman a Nurse ought to be, and how she should Nurse and give her child suck, it now resteth that we speak of some diseases, which happen unto children in their first age, which is from their birth, to the seventh month, in which time, they commonly have their first teeth, than afterwards those which happen in their second age which is from the seventh month, to the end of two years, at which time they commonly are weaned, and their teeth are almost quite come forth: leaving the third age, which is from two years, to seven: and the fourth also, which is reckoned from seven years to fourteen.  

Hippocr. lib. 3. aphoris. 24.  Hypocrates hath observed in his Aphorisms, that children, when they are young, are subject to these diseases: to a soreness of the mouth, with little whelks which do rise thereon, and upon the tongue called by him Aphthae, to vomiting, the Cough, watchings, or forsaking of sleep, inflammation of the Navel, 
Lib. 3. aph. 25.  and moisture of the ears. And in their second age (which is when their teeth begin to come) they are troubled with itching of the gums and chiefly when the dog teeth come forth, and those are most troubled therewithal, which are more fat, and fleshy, and which are bound in their belly. But because there are many other diseases that they are subject unto, whether it be that they bring them from their mother's womb, with them, or that they happen to them afterwards: therefore I will briefly speak of them all, beginning first with those that do most trouble them.   

How some diseases may happen unto little Children in coming forth of their mother's womb. CHAP. XII.  
THere be divers accidents which happen unto little children, and at their time of coming into the world. Some receiving bruises, and hurts, either in the head or other parts of their body, through striving and straining in the delivery; as Aches, or breaking of an arm, leg, or thigh: which I have often seen in a difficult travail. The latter must be helped by setting the bones again in their right place, whether it be that they were out of joint, or else broken, and then bind them, and keep them so till they be well grown together, and have taken firm hold.  
As for hurts and bruises, they must be bathed with some fomentation, made of Roses, Melilot, & camomile flowers, and then anointed with Saint john's Wort and Roses, mingled together.  
Mad. Maheu was delivered of a child so bruised and torn, that every one judged him to be dead, he was so black: whom I dressed and looked unto, & with the foresaid medicine I healed him perfectly. But the worst is, when there happeneth any hurt about the child's head, by means whereof, there comes some great swelling tumour, full of blood, which may be taken improperly for the Hydrocephalo. If it be but small, than it may be resolved with the former fomentation and lineament and some plasters of Diacalciteos, and Diachilon Ireatum mingled together. But if the swelling be much and big, then must we not think to heal it by resolution, as Master Pietrae, & I myself saw a Chirurgeon, who was very confident, and did assure himself, to make it resolve only with new wax spread and laid upon it. But in the end we were constrained to lance the humour, and in few days, it was perfectly healed under my hands.   

Of the greatness and swelling of the head which happens to little Children. CHAP. XIII.  
IT chanceth oftentimes, that the child's head after he is born, is bigger than naturally it ought to be, an accident which is very dangerous, and hard to be cured: whereof there be three kinds.  
The first is called of the greeks, Macrocephalos, which is, when the head is bigger than naturally it should be: and yet this comes naturally, as when the bones of the head be large, and of great compass containing great store of brain, and proportioned to the compass and circuit of them, there being neither wind, nor waters, nor any other humours, that are the cause thereof. Nature having thus proportioned it: and it is so heavy and unwieldy, that the child cannot hold it upright, his neck being constrained to bow under it, with the very weight, so that it had need to be propped up with some thing or other: Now there is contrary to this another which is called Microcephalos that is a little head, such a one had Thersites the Grecian and one Triboulet who was a French man. Both these accidents are very hard to be cured, yea almost impossible.  
The second kind is called Hydrocephalos, which is, when the head becomes big, by reason of some waters therein contained. Of the which there are divers sorts: for either the waters are contained between the skin, and the Pericraneum; or betwixt the Pericraneum and the bone; or between the bone and the membranes, called Dura matter, and Pia matter: Some of them are particular, and possess but only one part of the head; others are general and affect it wholly.  
Some of them have their spring and beginning, 
The Cause.  even from the Mother's womb: which happeneth when the Mother, while she was with child, through an ill Diet, gathered store of crudities and raw humours, whereof there is bred a waterish and phlegmatic blood, with the which the child being fed, and not being able to digest, or consume it, much less to evacuate and void it by the passages appointed by nature, the waterish matter gathers itself together in the head.  
It may also proceed from the child, being not well purged of the superfluities which are gathered in his brain, and diffused over all the head, or part thereof: whereunto we may add the ill nourishment which the child receiveth from his Nurse, whose milk is either serous and waterish, or overheated, which causeth divers vapours, to ascend up into the brain, which are there converted into waterish humours.  
The third kind is called Phisocephalos, when there chanceth to be a wind, which runneth between the skin of the head, and the bone; and also between the skull, and dura matter; which causeth the head to be so swollen, and puffed up, (as Avicen saith) that there have been divers children which have died of it; the bones of the head being very much thrust outward, which is very painful: And certainly, there is nothing that causeth greater distension, or more pain, then when there is some wind enclosed, in what part soever it be of the body.  
The watery swelling hath almost the like causes, by reason of some waterish matter, that is bred in the brain, which through the weakness of the natural heat, cannot well be dispersed, and so it is turned into wind: or else through some vapours, which arise from the neither parts, which do also distend, and stretch out the parts of the head.  
They are all of them different one from another: for the Macrocephalos, or great headed, yields not any impression when it is crushed, because it is the bones which make it so big and swollen: but in the waterish swelling, the finger enters easily, and leaves an impression as an O Edema doth: But if you press the windy swelling, it leaves no mark, or print, but presently it riseth up again like a football.  
Now, to know whether the water be contained betwixt the bones of the head, and the membranes of the brain: it may easily be discerned by the pain, and by the accidents: as if there happen any Vertigo, or Epilepsy, to the child, and that he sleep, little, or not at all; as also his continual crying doth witness it.  
The Cure of the windy swelling shall be performed, 
The cure of Phisocephalos.  by appointing the Nurse to keep a good Diet, using meats that shall neither breed wind, nor crudities.  
Concerning outward medicines, 
Outward medicines.  it is good to use Fomentations: for such kind of medicines surely may do him very much good, if the wind be contained between the skin, and the Pericraneum, or betwixt the Pericraneum, and the skull. But if the said wind be enclosed between the skull, and dura matter, it will be a very difficult disease to be cured, (except the wind be but in small quantity.) The Fomentation is this.  
A Fomentation. ℞. Fol. Salu. Betonic. Agrimon. Calaminth. Origan. an. m. i. sem. Anis. Foenicul. an. ʒ ij. flor. Chamoemel. Melilot. Rosar. rubr. an. m. i. Coquantur in aqua communi, addendo Vini parum, fiat fotus.  
And with this Fomentation warm, you shall bathe all his head with fine sponges: and then apply this Plaster afterwards.  
An Emplaster. ℞. Ol. Aneth. Amygdal. amar. an. ℥ i. Ol. Chamaemel. ℥ i. ss. Baccar. Lauri, juniper. an. ʒ ij. sem. Anis. Foenicul. an. ʒ i. ss. Vini alb. lib. i. Bulliant omnia simul ad vini consumpt. passaturae add Terebinth. Venet. ℥ ss. Ceraeq. s. ut inde fiat Emplastrum, extendatur portio, & admoveatur capiti.  

Hydrocephalos.  As for the waterish swelling, according to the quantity, and quality of the humour that makes it, and the place where in the said humour is contained, it will be either easy or hard to be cured: for if the humour be thin, and in small quantity, and that it be contained between the skin, and the Pericraneum, or else between the Pericraneum, and the skull, or between the membranes of the skull; then Avicen makes a doubt, 
Avicen.  whether it can be cured.  
But if it be curable, the best way will be to use the Fomentations and Plasters following: which have power to digest, and dry up the said watrishness.  
A Fomentation. ℞. Fol. Absinth. Puleg. Serpil. Betonic. an. m. i. Rosar. rub. flor. Stoechad. an. pug. i. Nucum cupress. Balaustior. Irid. florent. an. ʒ ij. Coquantur perfectè in lixivio ciner. sarment. & caulium, fiat fotus cumspongia.  
After the Fomentation, shall be applied this emplaster.  
An Emplaster. ℞. Pul. Betonic. Salui. Absinth. an. ʒ ij. Ol. Chamaem. Rosar. an. ℥ ij. ung. comitisses. ℥ i. Cerae q. s. fiat emplastrum.  
You must likewise apply the Magistral emplaster de Bettonica. Some take Snails, shells and all, and beat them, putting unto them a little powder of betony, and of the roots of Ireos.  
And if these medicines profit not, as indeed it is very hard they should: then must you determine to open it.  
The ancient Writers, as Rhasis, makes no question to apply thereto some gentle Cautery; others do rather counsel, that it should be opened with a lancet: For mine own part, I have practised both ways, without any ill accident, when that the waters have been contained between the skin, and the Pericranium, or between the Pericranium and the skull: But to say the truth, when the waters is between the bones, and the membranes of the brain; though myself I have been very careful in dressing of it: and not long since, being joined with Mons. Pietre, a sworn Chirurgeon of Paris; yet the success hath not been according as we desired; And therefore, the cure of it must not be taken in hand, but with foretelling of the danger.   

Other imperfections, that accompany the Child, when he is borne: as excrescences of flesh, the roof of the mouth cleft, a hare lip, and supernumerary fingers. CHAP. XIIII.  
We see many times, that the Child brings with him into the world divers other imperfections, and effects: As I saw a child of one Peter Ferot, who had a little piece of flesh, which hung in the middle of his chin, like unto a little sausage, of the bigness of a quill, and half as long: and I tied it about with a thread, and cured it quickly. I did the like also another time, being accompanied with Mons. portal, to a son of Mons. de Saint Gille, who had as it were a little cherry hanging at the end of his ear.  
I have seen three little children newly borne, (and among the rest, 
The roof of the mouth cleft.  I saw one, being with Mons. Hautin of Paris, ordinary Physician to the King, who was the son of Mons. de Cheery:) all these three children had the roof of their mouth cleft and divided, even to the bottom of the Nose: by means whereof they could not suck: because it is necessary for one that will suck well, to have the air closed in the mouth, and not to be dissipated and lost: which a child that hath a cleft pallet, cannot do: because the air doth spread itself abroad, and gets out by the pallet ot the mouth and the nose. Nevertheless, I have seen little children, that have been nourished by a sucking bottle, the space of two or three months: but at length they have died: because the milk ran out by the nose, it being a very hard thing, to make an artificial pallet, that should keep it from going forth: Nevertheless, I would counsel the Chirurgeon to make one, and to fit it with a little sponge tied to it, which shall be put handsomely into the said cleft with the pallet: and it must be put in when the child would suck, and then taken out again when he hath done. And this have I practised with good success.  

The hare lip.  The cloven Lip, called a hare lip, doth often happen unto children: but the chiefest point is, to know whether it should be cured betimes, or else stay longer before it be taken in hand. I was once present at a Consultation, for a great Lords son, who was brought hither from beyond the Sea, for me to take him in hand, and cure him: Six Physicians and chirurgeons were of opinion, that the cure should be deferred longer, (because the child was not above four or five months old.) Notwithstanding, it was put in practise contrary to their opinion, but the child's life was endangered thereby: And to say the truth, it is fitter to prolong and defer the practise of it, until the child have some more discretion: for otherwise there is danger, lest the points of the needles be broken, either by the child's crying, or sucking, or else in rubbing himself: 
A hystoric.  as I have known it happen unto some, their flesh being very soft and tender: Besides, the operation is hard to be done, by reason of the child's impatience, having no discretion, or knowledge, (the which happened to the foresaid Lord:) And also, for that it grows not a whit the worse, for the deferring it, till the child have more understanding and judgement.  
If the child should have a finger, or a toe, 
Extraordinary number of fingers.  above the ordinary number, as there be some which have six, whether it be in the hand, or on the feet: this deformity happening, I think it best, that it be taken away, as soon as the child is grown any thing big: Which I have done, 
A story.  to an honest Gentlewoman's son, who had two thumbs, which came unto him, as his Mother told me, by marking and beholding earnestly her Vintager, who had two thumbs, as he told money into her hand when she reckoned with him, whereat she took an exceeding pleasure, and delight, to see him wag the said thumbs, in that manner.   

Of the diseases which happen in the Eyes, Ears, and Nose, of little Children. CHAP. XV.  
MOST commonly little Children, when they are newly borne, are subject to divers diseases, which chance in their eyes, ears, nose, mouth Navel, and other parts of their bodies, as we will show hereafter in brief.  

Of the diseases of the eyes.  Concerning those that happen in their eyes; I refer the young Chirurgeon to my book of the diseases of the eyes, which I wrote on that subject. But because, that for the most part they are troubled with watering, and bloodshot eyes, it will not be amiss in this case, that the Nurse sprinkle him some of her milk, to make him open his eyes, and take away the gum that holdeth them together. She may likewise wash them with a little rose water, and Plantain water warmed, and shall anoint the lids and corners of his eyes, morning and evening with a little unguentum Tutiae well made & prepared; for this ointment hath power through his oylines, to keep the eyelids from sticking and gluing together, to strengthen them and take away any inflammation that may happen there.  
Oftentimes the Nose of little Children is so stopped with filth and matter which is dried, 
Of the nose.  that they can scarcely fetch breath thereby. This accident doth much trouble them, especially when they suck, and it makes them oftentimes swallow their spittle, and breath with pain: when this chanceth, the Nurse must moisten the inside of the nose, with fine soft linen tents, rubbed over with some unguentum Rosatum, or Pomatum, or for want of these, she shall take a little of the seething of the pot, and make him snift it up into his nose (if he have discretion to do it.)  
Likewise the ears of little children do commonly run as well within as without, 
Of the ears.  which happeneth because naturally their brain is very moist, and beside there arise many vapours from the entrails into the head, which fills their brain with moisture, and that run and flows by the ears: and therefore the Nurse must have a care to keep clean the child's ears, as well within as without, and behind them: dropping into them gently now and then, two or three drops of oil of bitter Almonds, with a little Honey of Roses, a little warmed. And if there be any fretting or excoriation behind and about the ears: then the nurse shall lay on them handsomely, fine linen plasters, handsomely, fine little plasters, made with an ointment composed of white wax, and oil of Nuts.  
Towards the hinder part of the ears, about the bottom of them, there happens oftentimes swellings which the Ancients call Parotides, and the French orillon's: when these happen, they must be rubbed with oil of sweet Almonds, laying upon it a little quilt made of carden cotton, or fatty wool basted between fine linen clothes.  
And the better to resolve the said swelling you may add to it a little oil of Chamomile, and Lilies. If these swellings come to suppuration, they must be dressed as other impostumes be, not using thereto any repercussive medicines.   

Of the sores and ulcers, which happen in the child's mouth, called Aphthae. CHAP. XVI.  
MOst commonly in the mouths of children, there arise little pustules and ulcers which possess not only the sides of the mouth, the tongue, and the gums, but even the very almonds, & pallet, of the mouth, and they were called of the Ancients Aphthae. Of these ulcers there be some that are malignant and creeping, 
Aphthae, or the ulcers of the mouth.  which spread abroad as the Herpes doth: and according to the malignity of the humour, which breeds them, they are either the easier, or harder to be cured: those which come of some salt phlegm, & which are neither deep, nor painful, nor of an ill colour, nor placed at the bottom of the throat. But are only about the gums, the tongue, and the sides of the mouth, which neither grow bigger, nor spread farther, they are easy to be healed. But those which creep farther, & are very painful, blackish, and which possess the bottom of the throat, having an Ague joined with them, they (as Hypocrates saith) are malignant, and hard to be cured. I have seen some, that for all the care and diligence that could be used to them, have fallen into a Gangrene. Which hath happened to divers and of late, to a Cutler's child, who was looked unto by Mons. Habigot a Master Barber Chirurgeon of Paris, although he had sought and used all the means, both skilfully and faithfully, that Art could require.  
For the helping of them that are curable, it is fit, that the Nurse keep a good diet, let the ulcers be gently rubbed a little with Honey of Roses, and syrup of Violets: But if they will not yield to this, than the Chirurgeon shall touch them with a little Aqua fortis, but to every drop of the said water, he must add twelve of Plantain water, according as he would have it to be in strength: 
A Gargarism for the ulcers of the mouth.  then with a little clout tied to the end of a stick, the ulcers shall be touched gently. They may also use this Gargarism.  
The ulcers must be dried up ℞. Hord. integ. Pug. i. Agrimon. Plantag. Rosar. rub. an. m. i. Coquantur perfect. in aqua commuri. in colat. ad ℥ vi. dissolve Mellis Rosat. ℥ i s. Piamor. ℥ s. Alumni. ʒ s. fiat gargarismus, utatur ut dixi.  
After they have used this Gargarisine a while, let there be added to it, of Berberis, flowers of pomegranates, and a little of the juice of the said pomegranates. For the ulcers of the mouth require medicines to dry them up, which do their operation speedily. 
An experiment of the Author  But if you perceive that they spread or creep farther abroad, use this medicine, which I myself use very often, and find it to be very singular good; which is to take half an ounce of rose-water, or Plantain water, adding thereto half a dram of oil of Vitroil, and to touch the sores with it.  
And this medicine did never deceive me: but the Chirurgeon ought to taste it first with his tongue to see that it be neither too strong nor too sharp.   

Of the Inflammation, swelling, and superfluous flesh, which happens in the Gums called Paroulis, and Epoules. CHAP. XVII.  
IT is seen oftentimes, that the gums of little Children are swollen, and inflamed, though their teeth be not ready to come forth: which accident the Ancients called Paroulis and Epoulis.  
The Paroulis, is a little swelling red and angry, which is either bred of a choleric, hot, and adust blood; or else of some sharp and salted phlegm, which falleth out of the brain upon the gums. It may proceed also, from some vapour, that riseth out of the stomach; which causeth not only the gums to be swollen and inflamed, but oftentimes the jaw, the cheek and the neck, to be also affected with it, bringing also with it an Ague and pain: 
The Cure.  which is the occasion that these tumours do often suppurate: and chiefly when there is any gross blood mingled therewithal, otherwise it will resolve and be digested well enough.  
For the Cure of it you must use at the beginning gentle Lotions, and Gargarisms, 
A Gargarism.  that are cooling and not much repelling, adding thereto towards the end, some things that may resolve. You may use this Gargarism.  ℞. Hord. integ. m. i. Plantag. Portulac. Acetoes. Agrimon. an. m. i Flor. violar. p. i fiat decoctio. in colatura ad ℥ vi. dissolve syr. violac. ℥ i. syrup. è Rosis siccis ℥ s. fiat Gargarisma. 
Herewith shall you cause the child to wash and Gargarise his mouth, if he be able: if not, than you must often rub his gums therewith. Or else you shall anoint his gums with the Mucilage of Psyllium and Quince seeds, 
A medicine for the neck and jaws.  drawn with Rose and Plantain water, adding thereto a little syrup of juiubes.  
If the jaw bone, cheeks, and neck be inflamed, the Ancients counsel us to rub them with a little oil of Roses warmed, adding thereto some juice of Nightshade, Mesues Ointment of Roses is also very good for it.  
If the child be any thing big, let him take this drink.  ℞. Rasur. Eboris in nodulo inclus. ʒ ij. sem. Portulac. ℥ ss. fiat decoctio ad lb. ij. in colatura dissol. syr. Granat. è Limonibus. an. ℥ i. utatur. 
If the tumour cannot be resolved, but rather grows to suppuration, than you shall make him a Gargarism with Figs, Raising, juiubes, Licorise, and french barley, well boiled. Let him hold in his mouth a little warm milk: and sometimes lay half a fat fig hot to the gums.  
When it is come to suppuration, the tumour shall be lanced, yet sometimes it breaks of itself; then let it be mundified with Mil Rosatum, syrup of dry Roses, or Cherries, or the like.  
As for the Epoulis, it is a little excrescence of flesh, rising like a blister upon the gums, and most commonly betwixt the teeth, but chiefly among the hindermost, sometimes it is painful and causeth an Ague. The cause thereof, is almost the same as we have said of the Paroulis.  
For the cure, at the beginning, you must use some such Gargarism as followeth, because it is needful to use more astringent medicines in this, then in the Paroulis.  
A Drink. A Gargarism for the Epoulis. ℞. Rad. Buglos. ℥ is. Plantag. Agrimon. an. m. i Hord. integ. p. i. Rosar. Rub. m. s. Balaustior. ʒ ij. Dactilos. n. iiij. glycyrrhiz. ʒ is. fiat decoctio in Colatura dissolve syrup. Granator. è Rosis siccis an. ℥ i. fiat Gargarismus.  
After they have used this, let them touch the part often with the medicine following.  ℞. Succi Granator. Cydonior. an. ℥ s. succi. Berber. Portulac. an. ʒ ij. cum tantillo decoctionis lentium & Rosarum Rubrarum, fiat Medicamentum. 
This medicine hath power to bind and strengthen the part, and to make the tumour resolve.  
Oftentimes the said Epoulis groweth so big, that we are constrained to tie it, not being able, either to resolve it: or bring it to suppuration. Some of them also are of an ill, & malignant quality which must not be touched or meddled with but with great discretion.   

Of the two strings or ligaments that a child hath under his tongue. CHAP. XVIII.  
IN Children that are newly borne there are commonly found two strings: the one comes from the bottom of the tongue, and reacheth to the very tip and end thereof. This string is very slender and soft, and it hindereth the child from putting it out at length, and from taking the nipple (as they say) that he cannot suck well. This string must be cut with a sizzer within a few days after he is borne: and then the nurse must thrust her finger under the child's tongue, and lay there at the first a little chawed salt to keep it from growing together again.  
There is also another string, which is both harder bigger, and more firm, than the former: which begins at the root of the tongue, and stretcheth itself almost through the middle thereof, the which string is oftentimes so short, that it hinders the child from stretching it, and putting it forth of his mouth, and also from turning and wagging it, thereby to bring back the meat he hath chawed, that he may swallow it. This may easily be perceived, for if you bid the child to put out his tongue he cannot do it; for when he goes about to do it, it binds and folds double in his mouth, he not being able to make it come farther than his lips: which much hindereth him in his speech, and in the delivery of his words, making him commonly to stammer.  

How to cut the string of the tongue.  The cure of this is only to be done by the Chirurgeon, and that after two manners: the first is thus: you must cause the child's tongue to be lifted up, and held stiff on both sides, as well by your own finger, as by some others, which shall hold the other side of the tongue, to keep it stiff, and then let the string be cut with a sharp instrument, thrusting in the point, as deep as shall be fit.  

Another way  The second way also is, by lifting up the tongue, and holding it fast, (as hath been already said) and then with a needle with a double thread in it, you shall draw the thread cross the said string, or ligament (to wit, as far as you would cut it) and tie it hard, cutting away the ends of the thread somewhat near the knot, and so let it stay there till it hath separated that part of the string or ligament thus tied. But this way in my opinion, is more painful than the former. But whether it be cut or tied, it will leave an ulcer which must be healed, as we have showed before, taking care that the string grow not together again.   

Of the Cough which happeneth to little Children. CHAP. XIX.  
WE see, that little Children are often troubled with a Cough: which happens unto them, because their lungs are weak and tender, which for every little thing that troubleth them, they endeavour to discharge and rid themselves of it, with some striving agitation.  
They may also catch this disease by lying uncovered, 
The causes of the cough.  or by being carried abroad in the cold, or in the evening; which makes them to cough, bringing up little or nothing. They may also cough with sucking too eagerly, drawing the milk faster than they can swallow it: and so some few drops by chance get into the Trachaea Arteria, which makes them never leave coughing till they have brought it all up again.  
The cough may likewise proceed from the distillation of some sharp, thin humour, which cometh from the brain, and falleth down upon the lungs by the Trachea Arteria. There may also be gathered, some humour in the Pipes or Passages of the lungs, which Nature at length striveth to expel and thrust forth.  

The cough is dangerous for children.  Of what occasion soever it proceed, it is very dangerous, especially, if it be of long continuance. For fear least through continual reaching and coughing, the child get a rupture, or bursting, or else an Ague, by reason he cannot sleep nor take his rest, only some headache, pain of the sides and stomach, and vomiting.  
Concerning the cure of it, we must have a respect to the cause, & so accordingly it must be remedied.  
If the Cough proceed of Cold, let the little one be kept reasonable warm, 
Medicines against the Cough.  and give him a little oil of sweet Almonds mingled with sugar Candy: let his breast be rubbed all over with fresh butter and oil of sweet Almonds: and then lay upon it some warm cloth: if his nose be stuffed, let it be unstopped, with a little ointment of Roses, or some of the liquor you boil your meat in, whereof you may put a little up into his nose for that purpose.  
If it proceed of some sharp humour: than it must be mitigated and thickened, by giving him a little syrup of Violets, and of juiubes mingled together. As also let him use juice of liquorice, Oil of sweet Almonds and sugar Candy; and Lozenges of Diatragacant hum frigidum. If the child be any thing big, you may give Barley Cream, with a few white Poppy seeds: and let him drink a Ptisane made with Barley, and Licorise.  
Let all his breast and throat be anointed with Oil of Violets washed in Barley water.  
Apply to the nape of his neck a tossed of bread hot, or else half a loaf new out of the oven. 
Means to stay the cough.   
If the Cough hinders him from sleeping, you may give him a little syrup of juiubes, and Violets, with as much Diacodium sine speciebus, mingled altogether: Let him also use Conserve of Roses.  
If the Cough come by reason of some phlegm, or gross and slimy humour, that is gathered together in the breast: You must give the child a little syrup of Maidenhair, with as much syrup or Licorise, and Hyssop, or Honey of Narbone, mingled together: Rasis addeth in this case a little Fennell water.  
Anoint his breast also with this Ointment.  
An ointment for the breast. ℞. Ol. Amygdal. dulc. ℥ i. Unguent. Resumpt. ℥ ss. axung. Anseris, Gallinae an. ʒ ij. liquesiant simul lento igne pro litu, ut dictum est.  
I have already set down divers other medicines in my former book, speaking of the Cough, which happeneth unto women with child; to which place I refer you for your farther satisfaction.   

Of the inflammation and swelling of the child's Navel. CHAP. XX.  
OFtentimes, 
The cause of the swelling of the navel.  after the child's Navel is tied, there cometh some inflammation, swelling, or ulcer, and especially this happeneth when that which hath been tied is divided and fallen away, it being not perfectly suppurated. The same Navel may swell also either through the child's eager crying, or when he coughs much, the tumour and swelling being full of wind, and sometimes also of water.  

The Cure.  The inflammation may be cured by the use of unguentum Rosatum, or with a little unguentum Refrigerans Galeni: The bathing it also with Oil of Roses, and a little unguentum Populeon, may do very much good.  
As for the Ulcer, if it be but small, you may put upon it some fine Flower, or the powder of a rotten post, or else a little plaster of Diapompholigos, and unguentum desiccatiwm, mingled together: You may also sometimes touch it with a little Allome water, and so cicatrize it.  
As for the swelling, you must have a care that the Navel stand not forth too far, and swell not more than it ought. Now to hinder that, you shall lay upon it, a cloth eight or ten times doubled, and then swath it gently, that the said Navel stand not forth too much: which ought to be done, if there be neither wind nor water contained within it. But when either of them are there, Avicen useth this medicine.  
Auicenus medicine. ℞. Spicae Nard. pull. ℥ ss. Terebinth. ℥ iij. Ol. Amygdal. dulc. parum fiat unguentum.  
But me thinks, to give it a form and consistence, it were not amiss, to add unto it a little wax.  
I use commonly this plaster, whether there be any wind, or water: which hath power to resolve, consume, and dry up the said wind, or water.  
An approved medicine. ℞. Unguent. Comitiss. desiccat. rubr. an. ℥ i. stercor. Columb. ʒ ij. pull. Irid. florent. ʒ iij. Sulphur. vivi ʒ i. Ol. Nard. ℥ ss. Cerae & Terebinth. q. s. fiat Ceratum.  
But the only thing is, to keep it down with a bolster and swathing, that it swell not, or stand forth the more.  
Some use Emplastrum contra Rupturum for it.   

Of Gripe and Fretting in the belly, which troubleth little Children. CHAP. XXI.  
THese gripings do trouble little children very much; the causes are two: For either they come because the excrement called Meconium, is retained in the guts: (This humour is black and slimy like melted pitch, which pricketh and wringeth their guts, and puts them to pain, to void it) Or else these Gripe are bred of the abundance of milk, which the child taketh, or of the ill quality thereof: the which being not digested, doth putrefy and corrupt, and turns either into choler, or into sharp and salted phlegm: Or else there is bred some wind, which causeth a distension of the stomach and guts. The cold air, and the worms also may cause it, which I leave to be handled in another place.  

The Cure.  Concerning the cure, if the said excrement, called Meconium, be the cause of the said gripings, it must be evacuated by little suppositaries made of the rib of a Beete leaf, or of Soap; and also by Clysters, to draw away this humour, and make it come forth.  
If too much milk be the cause: then the Nurse shall not give the child suck so often, nor in such plenty: If it proceed from wind, and that do cause the child to be thus troubled, it shall be discussed with Fomentations applied to the belly and Navel; and with Carminative Clysters, which shall be given him, as this: 
A Clyster for the wind. ℞. Malu. Bismal Parietar. an. M. i. flor. Chamaem. Melilot. summitat. Aneth. an. p. i. semin. Anis. Foenicul. an. ij. coquantur perfectè in iure pulli, vel capitis veruec. in colatum ad ℥ vi. dissolve Diacatholic. Mellis Anthosat. Saccar. rubr. an. ℥ ss. Ol. Chamaemel. Aneth. an. ʒ vi. fiat Clyster.   
Of the foresaid decoction you may also make a fomentation, with fine sponges: and then let his belly be rubbed and anointed with oil of Camomile, Melilot and Dill, mingled together.  
Parietary of the wall, with a few Camomile flowers, and tops of Dill, fried with Oil of Lilies, and Dill, and then laid to the belly hot, are very good.  
If you perceive, that these gripings proceed of some sharp, biting, or choleric humour, that gnaws and gripes the stomach, and the guts (which may be known, both by feeling his belly, which will be hotter than ordinary, and also by the stools which will be yellow and greenish) then shall you give him little Clysters of milk, or else of the broth of Veal, Capon, or of a sheep's head, wherein you shall dissolve two drams of Benedicta Lanativa, and as much Oil of Violets, and red sugar.  
Let his belly be rubbed with Oil of Roses and Violets, or else with Mesues' Ointment of Roses.  
You may give him to take inwardly some Oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn and mingled with Sugar candy.  
And if the child be any thing big, it will be very fit to give him an ounce of the compound syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb dissolved into Agrimony water, or of Carduus Benedictus, you may also mingle amongst his pap or gruel, a little Cassia drawn, the better to make him take it.   

Of the Worms. CHAP. XXII.  
THe Worms do trouble little children very cruelly, and therefore not without good reason did Hypocrates call them Theriodigastros; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  as cruel beasts in the belly. There be of them of divers forms, and bigness.  
Some of them are round and long, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  named Elminthes, which breed in the small guts, they ascend sometimes into the stomach, and come forth at the mouth. There be others that are long and flat, called Teniae, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  which are as it were a band couched, and placed all along the great guts. Some are little and slender as the point of a needle, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and are called Ascarides, by reason of the itching which they cause in the great gut, & the fundament, in which place they are bred: and oftentimes they are enclosed, as it were with a little purse. I have seen divers, that have voided a million, which have been, all of them fastened together.  
Touching their generation, Hypocrates observeth that little children do bring the worms even from their Mother's belly, but most commonly they are bred of putrid & corrupted phlegm, as also of other ill humours, which lie in the guts.  
When children are troubled with the worms, they wax lean, they have no desire to eat, their belly acheth, swells, and grows bigger; they start in their sleep, and do sometimes swoon, and have a little dry Cough: the colour of their face is pale and wan, and their eyes great: they rub their nose commonly: and when they are troubled with small worms, their fundament itcheth: But the surest sign that a child hath the worms of what nature soever they be: is when he voids them with his excrements by stool, or that they come up by the mouth, or through the nose, which I have oftentimes seen come to pass.  
Concerning the Prognosticke, as soon as you perceive that the little one is troubled, you must seek to help him; for the deferring of it may breed danger. The Ancients have written that there are some, which have come forth through the groin, and neither belly: which is witnessed by Paulas Aegineta, and Avicen.  
The Worms that come forth by stool, mingled with blood, show that they have gnawn the veins of the guts from whence that blood floweth. If they are brought up by vomiting, it shows that they provoke and trouble the stomach.  
Some have observed, that a child which hath the Worms, is in danger of death, if he be taken with a shortness of breath, and becomes moist, and cold.  
For the Cure, if the child be young, 
The Cure.  it will be very convenient, that the Nurse keep, a good diet: let her abstain from all white meats, raw fruits, Pease, beans, Fish, and all other meats that are of hard concoction, and easy to be corrupted.  
Rhasis forbids us, 
Rhasis opinion.  to give young children any medicines by the mouth: and appointeth only some outward medicines, as an Emplaster made of cummin seed, and an Ox gall, laid upon the Navel.  
In imitation of whom, I use to appoint this emplaster.  
An emplaster for the worms. ℞ Pil. sine quib. ʒ s. Pul. Absynth. ʒ i Myrrhae Aloes an. ℈ ij. farin. Lupinor. ʒ i s. fellis Bubuli. q. s. fi●t Emplastrum admoucatur supra umbilicum.  
You may also give the child, if he be somewhat big, a little of the scrape of Heart's horn, in his milk or other spoonmeat. Those that are rich do commonly give their children some Bezoards' stone, and unicorns horn.  
But when the child is grown somewhat older, besides the former medicines, let him take a little drink made with decoction of Purcelaine, and the shavings of Heart's horn, with a little juice of Citrons: If he can, let him take a little expression of Rhubarb, infused in the foresaid decoction: or else an ounce of syrup of Cichory. For it killeth and driveth forth the worms downward. But it will be good to give him first a Clyster of milk, red sugar, and honey, to draw down the worms by this sweetness, to the neither parts.  
There is no medicine, that will do more good if the child can take it, then to take little pills made of Aloes gilded, in an egg, and so sup them up.  
If he refuse these medicines aforesaid, than you may give him some of the powder for the worms, in a roasted Apple, or with Prunes or Raisins. The safest way is, rather to drive them forth, then to kill them: for oftentimes they breed others, when they stay in the body.   

Of breeding of teeth. CHAP. XXIII.  

Hippoc. lib. 3. Aphoris. 25.  HIppocrates writeth that amongst all the diseases, which children are subject unto, there is none that troubleth them more, than the coming forth and pain of their teeth. For the breeding of teeth, 
The ill accidents which breeding of the teeth brings to children.  bringeth divers dangerous accidents, with it, as Agues, Watchings, Convulsions, scouring, yea, and oftentimes death: From whence cometh the proverb, C'est un bel enfant iusque aux dents. It is a goodly child, if his teeth prove mild. And therefore, not without cause did Galen say in his Commentary, that the pain of a child's teeth coming forth, was more grievous and hard to be endured, than the pain of a needle thrust in any part of the flesh, which continues no longer than the needle stays there: but in the coming forth of the teeth, it is not so, because then the gums do prick and shout continually, which for the most part are much inflamed; and this pricking and shooting still increaseth, till the teeth be quite come forth.  
Now ye may know whether the child breeds teeth, by the heat of his mouth, which makes him drivel, and slaver, and his gums will be swollen, he holds his finger still in his mouth, by reason of the itching of his gums, which increasing more and more, puts him to extreme pain, and makes the blood ready to startle out of his eyes.  
Hypocrates in his book the Dentitione, 
Aelius. sem. 4. cap. 9  gives this judgement of it. They that do scour, when they breed teeth, are not so subject to Convulsions, as they that are bound.  
If they be taken with a sharp ague, they are the less troubled with Convulsions.  
Those that are in good health when their teeth come forth; if they be very drowsy and sleepy, there is danger lest they fall into a Convulsion.  
They that breed teeth in Winter, are less troubled, than those in Summer: and if they be a little helped, they will endure it the easier.  
All that are troubled with Convulsions at the coming forth of their teeth, do not die, but many escape.  
Their teeth come forth hardest, that have a little cough with all: and if they be troubled with pricking and shooting of the gums, they become very lean.  
Considering all the former accidents, and also the danger wherein the child is, there must be speedy help: which shall be done either by ordinary medicines, or else by Chirurgery.  
The Cure. First therefore, the Nurse must often rub the child's gums with her finger alone, thereby to open the pores of them, & make them soft, that the moisture may breathe out the better: and sometimes let her anoint her finger either with Honey, fresh butter, the brains of a Hare; or such like (either roasted, or raw) or else with oil of Lilies, 
An experiment  or Hen's grease. Some hold it for a great secret to rub the child's gums, with the milk of a bitch, either of itself, or mingled with the brains of a pig. Avicen prescribes that they should hold a slice of fat meat between their gums, 
Avicen  and chaw it often. And it is to be noted, that all the foresaid medicines ought to be applied more than lukewarm.  
The Ancients make mention of some medicines which by a hidden property have virtue to ease this pain, and help to bring forth the teeth. Some take the tooth of a Male Viper, and set it in gold or silver to rub the child's gums with it. 
Aecius.  Aecius bids, that we should hang about the child's neck a jasper stone, that is very green, and let it touch the stomach; Avicen saith, 
Avicen.  that the root of smallage hung about a child's neck, doth assuage and ease the pain which happens in the coming forth of the teeth.  
Neither will it be amiss before the pain grow to be great and vehement, to rub the legs, thighs, shoulders, back, and nape of the child's neck drawing still downward; thereby to alter, and turn the course of humours which fall down upon the gums, and passages of the throat in great quantity, which may stifle him.  
But if none of all these medicines do any good, as oftentimes it happens: then the safest, and speediest way, is to make an incision all along the top of the gum, just upon the teeth. Which the Chirurgeon shall know, is fit to be done, when he sees the gum grows white, and perceives that the teeth are even ready to cut the flesh. The Nurses themselves show us that this practice is very necessary and fit; for oftentimes they do scratch and tear the gum with their nails, which turneth to the child's great profit, and ease, and keeps him from lying languishing so long in pain: 
An experience of the Author.  And I can assure the young Chirurgeon that I have practised it, and caused it to be practised with very good success, above twenty times.  
Now when you perceive that the teeth begin to come forth, whether it be by the foresaid Medicines, by the lancing of the gums: Avicen would have the Nurse to hold a piece of an Ireos' root, in her hand, and let the child champ upon it: or instead thereof she may use a stick of Licorise bruised at the one end, or else a piece of an Althaea root: For this remedy doth assuage the pain, because it maketh the moisture, which is about the child's gums, breast, and root of the tongue, to come away, and cause the rest of the teeth, to come forward. And therefore they do use commonly for this purpose, to hang about the child's neck either a wolves tooth, or a branch of red Coral set in silver, for the child to hold in his hand, and to rub his gums with it.   

Of the Convulsions which happen to little Children. CHAP. XXIIII.  
IT is not my intent in this place to handle particularly all the kinds and differences of Convulsions, but only I will content myself to speak of that which commonly troubleth little children, 
Hip. de Aero loc. & Aquis. Morbus puerilis. Mater puerorum.  and is called by Hypocrates Morbus Puerilis, the child's disease, and by Avicen Mater Puerorum, the mother of little children.  
Hypocrates calleth this disease Sacer, and therefore it is easy to be conjectured, that it is an epileptical Convulsion.  
The cause proceedeth, (as Avicen saith) either because that the milk (wherewith the chid is nourished) is easily corrupted; though he suck but little: or by reason of the great quantity, that the child taketh, which because of his weak and dainty stomach cannot be well concocted, and digested: or through the ill quality of the milk which the child sucks daily; or through the weakness of the sinews, which do receive easily the moisture that is bred in the child's body, whereof Nature doth unburden herself, upon them, which happeneth chiefly, 
An Aphorism of Hypocrates.  (as Hypocrates saith) to children that are fat, and have full bodies, and are bound in their bellies.  
This Convulsion oftentimes chanceth through the child's breeding of teeth, 
divers causes of a Convulsion.  and especially of his dog teeth, by means of the pain, inflammation, fevers, and watchings, which do commonly follow upon it.  
The cold air also may be a cause, and likewise the Worms, which the child may have, or some ill vapour that striketh up, and offends the brain: which may arise out of the stomach by reason of some putrefaction; or else from that which is bred by means of the worms.  
As for the Prognosticke hereof, Hypocrates saith, 
The Prognosticke. Hippo. de morbe Sacro.  that the Children, which have clean heads, are subject to Convulsions: And chose that those which have scabs on their head and break forth are commonly in good health: For by them, they are purged & cleansed of all the ill humours, that they had gathered in their mother's womb. 
Good sentences of the Ancients.  Galen saith, that the danger is easily perceived, by the child's shortness of breath: Avicen & Paulus Aegineta do assure us, that the continuance of this disease long, doth oftentimes kill the child. Areteus saith, that one violent fit only, is enough to kill him: they that are younger, are in greater danger of death, than the elder, as Caelius Aurelius writeth, because they cannot so easily bear out the fits, as the elder.  
Therefore we must take great heed in the cure of it, 
The Cure.  not thinking that this disease may be helped by the child's growing older.  
The Cure must be varied according to the cause of the disease. As if it proceed of repletion, and fullness of humours, then must the Nurse eat less, and not give the child suck so often: in both which she must observe a mean: and therefore the Nurse shall rather use meats, that are somewhat drying: then such as are too moist: And not without good reason doth Avicen allow the use of Wine well tempeted, rather than Water alone.  
If the little one have need to be purged, it will be fitter to give the Nurse a purgation then the child: which must neither be very strong, nor with any Diagridium, 
Vomiting good for the child.  but gentle and easy, such as Cassia, Manna, and the like.  
If the child be subject to vomit, especially if he be very big, 
Cupping glasses.  the vomiting may do him much good.  
When he comes to be 2. or 3. years old, you may apply cupping glasses, upon his neck and shoulders: which is much commended by Avicen, thereby to draw the moisture of the brain to the lower parts.  
And concerning particular medicines, they must not be too hot (as some appoint) for the affections of the Nerves, because those heat too much: and (as Rhasis saith) they do only resolve the thinner part. But we must rather use in the beginning such as mollify and soften, and do moderately resolve, comforting withal.  
Among many other medicines, Dioscorides saith, 
Dioscorides.  that Oleum Irinum cureth the convulsion, which troubleth little children: and it is likewise commended by the ancient Practitioners: This Oil is described by Mesue.  
Avicen approveth Oleum Irinum, Keyrinum, and Liliorum: He saith moreover, that he hath made trial of this medicine.  
Auicens' medicine. ℞. Maioran. m. ij. macerentur in olei Amygdalar. dulc. vel Zezamin. ℥ vi. & vini generosi totidem in Balneo Mariae, vel bulliant lento igne ad consumption. vini; coletur & servetur usui.  
You may also use very safely this Balm.  
A Balm for the Convulsion. ℞. Axung. Anser. Gallin. Anat. Cunicul. an. ℥ i. Medul. cruris vitul. ℥ i. ss. Medul. Cerui ʒ vi. fol. Salu. Maioran. Ebuli, an. m. i. flor. Chamaemel. Melilot. Hyperic. an. p. ij. flor. Rosismar. p. i. Mastic. Myrrh. Irid. florent. an. ʒ ij. Olei Lilior. Lumbric. an. ℥ ij. macerentur omnia in balneo Mariae spatio trium dierum: Deinde lento igne fiat decoctio, coletur & servetur usui.  
The ancient Practitioners do very much commend the Balm made of a Goose stuffed with the foresaid ingredients, 
Balsamum Anserin●m.  and roasted: and then use the dripping of it in steed of a Balm; which I have seen practised.  
Galen doth attribute much to the hanging of a little chaplet, made of the male Peony root, about the child's neck.  
Oribasius much commendeth the Smaradge or Emerald, that looks greenish, which is found either in the stomach, or nest of a Swallow.  
But the safest medicine of all is, to lay a Cautery to the hinder part of the child's head, 
A sovereign medicine.  in the nape of the neck, between the first and second Vertebra, or joint: which I have done to some. And at Florence it is practised to all children, as soon as they are borne: yea, they do it, even with an actual Cautery.  
If you perceive that these epileptical convulsions do proceed from the Worms in the child's guts; than you may give him this Clyster.  
A Clyster. ℞. Hidromel. simple. ℥ iiij. Butir. recent. ℥ i. Aloes pulu. ʒ ss. fiat Clyster.  
Some give this Powder.  
A powder for the Worms. ℞. Pul. Lumbricor. terrest. in vino albo lotorum, & extinct. ʒ ij. Sacchar. ℥ i. misce Capiat singulis diebus ʒ ij. per se, velcum aqua, vel succo Portulacae.  
You may give a child, that is somewhat big, as of eight or ten months old, a dredge powder made of Worm seed, or of Rhubarb.  
Besides, there be many other medicines, which I have already set down in their proper place, as Emplasters, syrups, and Purgations for this disease, to which place I refer you.  
If these convulsions come of some ill and malign vapour, the child may take some Bezoards' stone, and unicorns horn, three or four grains at a time of them both, or either of them with a little Purcelane water: or else you may mingle five or six grains of treacle, or Mithridat, with the said water, and so give it him.  
Let the Nurse use to take some of this Opiate, very often: which the child also may do, when he is grown somewhat big.  
An Opiato. ℞. Rad. Poeniae subtle. pull. ℥ ss. Theriac. veter. ʒ ij. Cons. Rosar. Borag. Buglos. an. ʒ vi. syrup. conseruat. Citri q. s. fiat Opiata, de qua Nutrix capiat singulis diebus ʒ i. mane, & Infans ℈ ss. cum aqua Cardui Benedicti.  
As for Vomiting, Scouring, or being bound in the body, which accidents happens to little children: I refer you to that which I have set down heretofore for the Mother, (only diminishing the quantity) because I would avoid often repetition.   

Of Watchings, wherewith young Children are troubled. CHAP. XXV.  
ANd not without good cause doth Hypocrates say, 
Hippoc. lib. 3. Aphorismor.  that too much watching in a child, is a disease: because sleep is naturally proper to a child. And when it falls out that he cannot sleep, there must needs be somewhat that troubles and offends him.  

Whereby a child may be hindered from sleeping.  A child may be hindered from sleeping, by lying in a chamber that is either too light, too hot, or full of smoke: or else because the clothes lie too heavy on him: or because of much noise, or pain, as it happens to them, when they breed Teeth, as likewise by having a pin that pricks them: or else because they are not clean. Besides, the child may be hindered from sleeping through the overmuch quantity of milk, that he hath sucked, as also though it be taken in small quantity, if it chance to corrupt; because (as Avicen saith) by means of this putrefaction, there is commonly bred wind and vapours in the brain.  

Signs that the child is amiss.  The signs hereof are evident enough; as when the child crieth continually, and cannot be stilled or quieted at all by the teat. Then (as Gordonius saith) their ey-browes seem swollen, and sometimes their countenance becomes very wan and pale: which comes so to pass (as Avicen saith) through the dissipation of the spirits, and because the brain is filled full of vapours and exhalations.  

The Cure.  Concerning the Cure, we must take away the cause that nourisheth this watching: if it be by lying in a place that is too light, and open to the air, then must the windows be shut, making it darker: if the chamber where he lieth be too hot, or if the child have too many clothes on him, then must he be laid cooler, and have fewer clothes, and be without any noise.  
If breeding of Teeth be the cause, then shall it be helped, as hath been already said.  
Besides, the child shall be vnswathed, 
divers means to make a child sleep.  and laid in clean clouts, and then the Nurse shall look whether there be any pin, or fold of his clothes, or any other thing that hurts him: She must neither give him suck so often, nor in so great quantity: and to help to void the corruption that may be in his stomach, it will be good to give the child some little Clyster, or gentle purgation. Likewise the Nurse must rock and sing to him: and if you find, that he cannot take any rest, by all these means; then may you give him a little Barley water, or Barley cream, with a few white Poppy seeds in it: or else you may let him take a spoonful of Syrup of Violets and Diacodium mingled together: But you must abstain by all means from giving him any Narcoticall or stupefying medicines, according to the opinion of all Practitioners. Rhasis bids us anoint the inside of the child's nose, with Oil of Violets, and juice of Lettuce, putting thereto also a little juice of Henbane, and yet he goes farther, for he addeth some Opium to it. But herein we must be very wary and circumspect, and rather forbear the use of it.   

Of the affrightings, start, and raging, which happens to young Children. CHAP. XXVI.  
ALl children are naturally very greedy, and gluttonous, and therefore many times, and especially when they grow somewhat big, and are waned, they do fill themselves with much milk, or with store of divers other victuals. Beside, they are subject to breed worms, which dying, abide still in their guts, by reason of which there grows much corruption both in the stomach and guts, and also in the mesentery, and this corruption growing hot by the heat and moisture of the child, it sends up vapours to the brain, from the aforesaid parts, which mingling themselves with the spirits, which are there placed, do cause dreams, frights and start in the sleep, and (as Avicen witnesseth) makes children afraid of things which are not at all to be feared.  

Gal. in Hip. lib. 3. Aphoris. 24.  Galen teacheth us, that this fear happens then when the stomach of the child is weak, and the meat which he taketh corrupts in it: which causeth vapours, and fumes to rise to the head, and so bring these terrors.  
This may also happen to those which are more in years, by the use of bad meats: especially if the mouth of the stomach be weak and feeble. And therefore Avicen saith, that bad concoction, makes bad dreams.  
As for the signs that belong hereunto, 
The signs to know whether a child be frighted in his sleep.  there can none be observed in children that can not speak but only (as Pliny saith) that as soon as they be awake, they will screech and cry out, as if they were out of their wits, and utterly cast away: and commonly you shall find them all of a water, and quaking every part of them: And if you ask them, why they cry, they which can speak will say, that they were made afraid, and that they saw some thing in their sleep. Moreover they that are thus frighted are much given to vomiting, they are pale of countenance and sometimes very red: and also they do hide their faces, and if anyone come near them they cry out, and are afraid of him.  
Thus may we easily observe that such dreams, and frights happen not to young children, but when they be ill at ease, and full of bad humours. 
Aristot. de hist●r. anim. lib. 4. cap. 10.  And this is witnessed by Aristotle, who saith; that young infants are not subject to dreams: experience teaching us, that those who as yet have not discretion to know good from bad, are not feared with terrible and fearful sights, but chose, do laugh at them, and are well pleased.  
For the Cure of this accident, 
The Cure.  both the Nurse and also the child (when he comes to eat) must avoid all meats, which do corrupt the stomach, and such as are apt to breed gross and malignant vapours, such as Pease, beans, Leeks, Onions, Coleworts, which (as Dioscorides reporteth) do procure sad and Melancholic dreams.  

The diet, that the Nurse, & the child must keep.  Let them feed upon good meats, and in a moderate quantity, that so the stomach may not be overcharged, and that the concoction may be the more easy. Rhasis wisheth the Nurse to drink a cup of good wine.  
After that the child hath sucked, and the Nurse hath eaten, they must not (according to the precept of Avicen) go to sleep presently, 
They must not sleep presently after meat.  because the meat can not descend so soon to the bottom of the stomach, there to be embraced and perfectly concocted: And when part thereof stays at the upper Orifice of the stomach, than the fumes and vapours thereof do easily rise, and ascend to the brain.  
If there be any bad humours abiding within the stomach, 
Medicines for the child.  guts, or mesentery, let them be purged out. Avicen giveth to the child a little honey fasting. If he be somewhat big, you may give him a little Cassia, a spoonful of syrup of Cichory, and syrup of Damask roses, or some Manna in broth.  
If his stomach be weak, let it be strengthened with this Lineament.  
A lineament for the stomach. ℞. Olei de absynth et mastic. qu. ʒ s. puluer. ganophyl. gr. vi. cerae. ʒ s. liquefiant simul. et fiat litus.  
But especially let the Nurse, and those that come about the child, embolden him: taking heed that they put him not in fear of any thing, by showing him any picture or beast, or other thing, which may breed any fear, or terror.   

Of the rupture, or falling down of the gut, in young Children. CHAP. XXVII.  
CHildren, and chiefly male-childrens are much troubled at this day with the rupture, of which though there be many kinds, 
The divers kinds of ruptures.  yet will I treat at this present only of the falling down of the gut, and call, and of the watery and windy rupture: for those which are called Camosa and Varicosa do seldom or never happen to young children. I have observed, that many children are born with these ruptures, which happen because the child being in the Mother's womb, doth often strive in turning and winding himself, or else doth so strain himself, that the guts and call do bear down upon the production of the Peritonaeum: which being enlarged giveth occasion of a rupture.  
As for those which are called Hydrocele, and Physocele, which is the watery and windy rupture, it cannot be denied, but that the child before he be borne (if he draw bad humours from the mother, breeds these waters and winds, which may flow down into the purses of the cod.  
Nevertheless, 
The causes of ruptures.  most commonly these kinds of ruptures are bred after the child is borne and come into the World: which happens upon divers occasions, either because the child hath cried much, or through a long Cough, or by filling himself too full of milk, or victuals; or by leaping, stretching, or straining himself too much going to ride astride upon something.  
As for the watery and windy ruptures, they proceed for the most part of the bad nourishment, which the child takes either of his Nurse, or else of himself after he is waned: whereupon grows infinite Crudities and Winds, which steal by the production of the Peritonaeum into the cod.  

The Cure.  For the cure of the falling down of the gut, if the child be very young, keep him quiet, and still him from crying, and if he eat pap, put into it this powder.  
A powder. ℞. Radic. consolid. maior. ʒ ij. radic. sigilli. beatae. Mari. et. salomonis an. ʒ is. herniar. ʒ ij. puluer. limacum rubror. ʒ i fiat omnium pulvis.  
Every time that you make him pap, put a dram, or thereabout into it, and when you unswath him, to make him clean, use this fomentation to the part: 
Afomentation ℞. Radic. consolid. maior. osmund. regal. cortic. ulmi. fraxini. an. ℥ s. folior. plantag. tapsi barbati centinodiae, herniariae, caudae equinae, flor. chamom. meliloti, rosar. rubr. an m. i. s. balaustor. nucum cupressi, calic. gland. an. ℥ ij. fiant sacculi parvi, coquantur in aequis partibus vini austeri, & aquae fabrorum, pro fotu partis.   
After that you have used this fomentation a quarter of an hour, dry the part, and then lay upon it this plaster following.  
An emplaster ℞. unguentum de siccat. rubr. ℥ ij. puluer. Mastich. olibani sarcocollae, nucum cupressi an ʒ i cum tantillo cerae, et olei Mastich. fiat Emplastrum satis molle.  
Let this Emplaster be laid upon the part, and upon that a little bolster, to keep all fast together, that nothing slip of: you shall bind it on, or else use a truss; but it will be fitter for the child to have it bound on, and then to be swathed up.  
This fomentation and plaster must be used for the space of thirty or forty days: 
Rest necessary for the child.  and if the child be somewhat big, let him be kept quiet in his bed for forty days together, taking the powder before described, with broth, or with a little water of Myrtels, or else making the said powder into small Lozenges.  
The fomentations must be made for him, as is already described, wherewith he must be bathed half an hour every morning: and then the plaster laid on, and fastened with a truss, or cloth bound on it.  
He must forsake all windy meats, as Pease, 
The dies which the child must keep.  beans, raw fruits, Salads, and white meats: feeding upon good meats that are roasted, and of them but in small quantity.  
Let him drink a little Red wine, 
His drink.  mingled with boiled water: if his belly be bound, give him a little clyster, or else some broths, with Seine in it.  
And you must remember, that the Fomentation must not be used, nor the plaster laid on, nor the truss, or swaths applied, before the gut or call be put up: if so be that they be fallen down. And especially you must have a care, that his head be laid somewhat low, 
How the child must be laid.  and his buttocks high, as he lieth in his bed, that by this means nothing may come down.  
Concerning the watery and windy ruptures, the child must keep the same Diet, as hath been already prescribed. And as for local medicines, they must be such in both, as have power to attenuate, dry up, discuss, and resolve the waters and wind which is within the purse of the cod.  
For the watery rupture, I have often tried this medicine.  
A Plaster. ℞. Unguent. comitisses. & desiccativi rubr. an. ℥ ij. stercor. Columbi ℥ ss. Sulphuris vivi ʒ iij. puluer. baccar. Lauri, & semin. Sinapi an. ʒ i. olei Aneth. & Terebinth. Venetae an. ʒ iij. Cerae q. s. fiat Emplastrum.  
This Emplaster also is of good use for a windy rupture, unless you can heal it with this fomentation.  
A Fomentation. ℞. Rosar. rubr. flor. Chamaemel. Meliot. & Aneth. an. m. i. semin. Foenicul. & Anis. an. ℥ s. folior. Origani, Calamenth. an. m. i. baccar. Lauri & Ireos florent. pulueris. an. ʒ ij. fiant sacculi duo, Coquantur in aequis partibus vini albi & aquae, pro fotu.  
But when these watery ruptures grow so hard, that they cannot be dissolved by the medicines aforesaid, then must they be opened: Which I have practised upon young Infants; and amongst others upon a child of Mons. de Vilantry, being not above two months old: and this I did by the counsel of Mr Hautin, and Mr Duret, the King's Physicians in ordinary, and Physicians of Paris.  
The manner of making this Incision, I have set down in my book, Of the practises of chirurgery: to which I refer the Reader, where he may find all the particularities set down.   

Of the difficulty of making of Water, wherewith young Children are troubled. CHAP. XXVIII.  
IT happens oftentimes, 
The cause why children can hardly piss.  that young Children can not make water, and that upon divers occasions, but chiefly through the fault of urine, which offends either in quantity, or quality. The ill quality of the Urine is, when it is hot, sharp, and pricking, which makes the child afraid to piss: because of the pain which they feel when their water comes. The Urine offends in quantity, when it is in so great abundance, and doth so overcharge the bladder, that the Fibres being overstretched, can not draw themselves together, to expect the urine: which happens to them which have kept their water too long. 
Children must be often held out to piss.  And for this cause, children must oft be called upon to piss, both when they awake, and when they are changed, to be laid down to sleep. And when they grow bigger, let them make water both before and after they eat: for since they abound with moistures, and have their bladder but small, they must in no wise keep their water long: and therefore if sometimes they bepiss themselves in their sleep, they must not be much chidden, or beaten, for fear lest if they hold their water by force, they fall into this difficulty of voiding it.  
If there be any phlegm, or slime, or blood mingled with the water: or if there breed any sand, or stone, this may be the cause to hinder the child's urine. And this may happen to young children, as Hypocrates noteth: 
Hippocr. lib. 3. Aphoris. 26.  because they eat much, which procures much crudity, and breeds the matter of the Stone.  

The Cure.  For the Cure hereof; you must proceed according to the cause: which if it be, because the urine is sharp, and pricking, or too hot; then if it be a sucking child, it will be good to prescribe the Nurse a diet, 
A Diet for the Nurse.  to temper her blood, which it may be is too hot. Let her also be purged, let blood, and bathed; and let her use broths made with cool herbs.   depiction of probe 
If the child be somewhat big, you may give him this medicine.  
A medicine for the gravel in the bladder. ℞. Ol. Amygdal. dulc. ℥ i. ss. aquae Parietar. ℥ i. succi Limo. ʒ i. fiat potus.  
Set him also in a little bath. Galen, and Avicen do much commend the water of Rapes, or Turnips, which you may give with a little decoction of Parsley roots, Dogs tooth, and Dandelion.  
But it happens oftentimes, that the child can not piss, by reason of some slime that sticks in the passage of the yard, which makes it swell, and puff up, and show as clear as a bladder.  
For the help hereof, you must bring forth the stone, by the help of a little instrument, like to this here described, in the fashion of an earpicker; which you shall use in this manner.  
You must hold down the child fast, that he stir not; and then the Chirurgeon must take the yard between the forefinger and the thumb with his left hand, by that part, which is next toward the groin, that is beyond the stone: for fear, least in the performance of the work, it slip up, and go back again: Then holding the little instrument in his right hand, let him put it up into the passage of the the urine, so far till he meet with the stone: which when he hath found, let him bear down the instrument, to make it slip under the stone, for to catch hold of it, behind; and when he hath hold of it, let him draw it forth in such manner, as shall be needful. And it will be necessary to draw it out somewhat strongly, because oftentimes it sticks very hard.  
Sometimes it happens, that the Stone is so big, that it cannot be taken away by this means; and then we are constrained to make an incision in the yard; which must be done in this manner.  
You must hold the yard fast with the left hand, taking it by the midst, so that half the thickness of it may be between you finger and thumb, and the other half out, that so the Stone may rise and swell up the more, on that side: Then on that side that the Stone swells up, right over and against the Stone, let an incision be made, so deep, till you come to the Stone; which when you find, you shall put under it such a small instrument, as hath been before described, therewith to draw it forth. And afterward let the wound be healed, as an other ordinary wound: taking care, that there grow no little excrescence of flesh in the passage of the water. 
An experience of the Author.  I have practised this with very good success: and amongst others, upon the son of Mons. Robert of Chartres.   

The means to help children that piss in their bed in the night, and cannot hold their water. CHAP. XXIX.  
LIttle children do commonly piss a bed, & that for many reasons: As because they breed and abound (as we have already showed) with store of Urine which cometh down into the bladder, and that is so little, that it is not able to retain and keep it, being in so great quantity, besides the Sphincter muscle is very soft, and weak, by reason of the child's tenderness: Again, they do so go about all the day long, that when are laid to bed, they sleep so sound, that they cannot easily be wakened: whereto may be added, that they use to dream often in the night, which makes them piss, thinking that they are awake. Some think that wenches are more subject hereto then boys.  
Now for the delivering and freeing them of this accident: divers Physicians are of opinion, that it is best to let them alone, till they are grown bigger, and not to trouble them with many medicines: For the fibers of the Sphincter muscle, which keep the neck of the bladder shut together, grow dry, and stronger, and beside then the child abounds not so much with moisture, and by consequence neither with urine: but yet they must be hindered from drinking so much (as they use in France) clear water and also kept from eating so much raw fruit, and moist meats, and the like, which provoke Urine.  
You must also endeavour to keep children always loose bellied, which will make them piss the less, as well in the night time, as in the day. And you must warn them to make water before they go to bed, and sometimes also you may waken them out of their sleep, to put them in mind thereof.  

The child must be put in mind to make water.  You must also threaten them, that you will whip them, and likewise make them ashamed, of doing it. But yet for all this, you must not correct them too much: for I have known some children (fearing to be beaten, if they pissed a bed) that have tied their yard themselves, whereof hath followed a Gangrene: which happened to Mons. Paraeus, when he was a child, as he himself hath told me.  
When the child is grown somewhat big, let him eat roasted Chestnuts filberts and A corns: and drink styled water, and a little Claret wine well allayed.  

Medicines of the Ancient Physicians.  Avicen commendeth the brains of a hare boiled with thick Wine.  
Some hold that the inner skin of a Capon's gizzard dried, and made into powder, is singular good. Rhasis sets it down for a secret, that the comb of a Cock, dried, and made into powder: as also the bladder of a Bull, or a Goat is very good, which Gordonius approveth of.  
You may give him a little water of Mirtills, with Conserve of Roses, and syrup of dry Roses.  
It will be very fit to bathe the part of the child called Perinaeum with astringent Fomentations, 
Fomentations for the Perinquin.  such as we have set down for the Rupture or Hernia.   

Of the Gallings and fretting of the skin, which happens in the groin, and between the thighs of little Children. CHAP. XXX.  
LIttle children, 
The cause of excoriation, or galling.  by reason of the sharpness of their urine, and lying in their excrements are much troubled with galling and fretting, which wears away the thin skin, called Epidermis and chiefly about their thighs, and groin, which unless the nurse take the better heed, may grow to some foul and malignant ulcer.  
Which that it may be the better helped, 
The Cure.  it will be very fit, that the Nurse keep the little one as clean as she can, and that in making him clean and shifting him, she wash his buttocks and thighs gently, with a little water of Plantain, Roses, or Nightshade. Some add thereto a little wine: Others make a decoction of Barley, Roses, and Plantain.  
I use to prescribe a little Pomatum, wherewith I mingle sometimes a little Lime well quenched and powdered: unguentum Refrigerans Galeni, well washed in Plantain, and Rose water is much commended. Both these medicines, by reason of their oylines, do hinder the Urine, and excrements from making the place to smart.  

Common medicines.  Women do commonly be sprinkle those parts with meal dust, or with Barley, or bean flower. Some use the powder of a rotten post, or else a little Ireos and Roses beaten into fine powder, Rhasis useth this medicine.  ℞. Amyl. spoelij Rosar. Mirtillor. farin. Hordei. an. fiat omnium pull. subtiliss. asperge excoriationes, post Balneum.  

Of the accidents which happen to the child's yard, either before or after his birth. CHAP. XXXI.  
THere may happen seven accidents about the top and end of the child's yard, even from his birth: 
divers imperfections of the Praeputium.  to wit, three in the Praputium or foreskin: and four in the Glans or top thereof. Touching those of the Praeputium, the first is when it is so strait, and the hole so little, that the urine being come forth of the Glans, cannot pass through the skin, but drop by drop, by reason it is shut so close together; which makes part of the Urine remain betwixt the top of the yard and the Preputium. The second is when the passage of the Preputium is not altogether so narrow, but yet it cannot be put back neither can the Glans be uncovered; 
Phimosis.  which the Ancients have called Phimosis. The third is when the Praeputium cannot cover the Glans, because it is slipped over, 
Paraphimosis  and drawn backward; called by the Ancients Paraphimosis.  
Concerning these of the Glans: the first is, when there is no passage at all, in the end thereof: the second is, when there is a passage, but the hole is too little. The third is, when the hole is not in the place where it ought to be, which is at the end, but is placed at the bottom or lower part of the Glans. The fourth is, when the top of the yard bendeth downward and makes the yard stand crooked and awry.  
Aristotle hath observed another kind more strange than those, where he saith, 
An observation of Aristotle. lib. 4. cap. 4. de generatione Animalium.  that there have been some male children, which naturally have had no passage made at the end of the yard, but the hole hath been lower in the Perinaeum, so that they were constrained to piss, as it were sitting, & when they held up their Cod, or Scrotum, they seemed to be both man, and woman.  
I have heretofore, for all the other accidents above named advised the Nurse to have a care, and look to them: But because the cure of these belong properly to the Chirurgeon to have set it down more at large,, and specified it more particularly in this place that they may the better help it, considering the inconveniences, that may follow, as we will show you.  
For the first, 
What happens when the Praeputium is closed.  which is when the skin of the yard is so strait that the water cannot come forth, but drop by drop, this imperfection causeth a great deal of filth to be gathered betwixt the Praeputium and the Glans, whereof proceedeth many troublesome and dangerous ulcers, yea, and sometimes a Gangrene. I have observed it, in some young children, that the top of the yard, hath become black and blue with pissing, through the very pain they endured.  
The best way to remedy it, is to cut off the very top and end of the Praeputium, thereby to take away a piece of it, as they do in the Circumcision. For the performance whereof, there be divers means, but the safest and least painful way, is this.  

The order of cutting the Praeputium.  First, it is to be considered, that the Praeputium is double, so that when one thinks to cut both the skins, he cuts but one; for the second leaps away especially from between the Sizzers. Besides, in cutting them both together, oftentimes you may cut more of the uppermost skin, then of the nethermost which is next to the Glans, which causeth it to remain bare, and uncovered, whereof followeth great pain: it being fitter (for that occasion) to cut away less, of the first, then of the second.   depiction of pincers 
I have learned this manner of practice, of Mons. de Maverne, the King's Physician in Ordinary, who hath caused it to be done after this fashion: and it is the order and Method, which the jews at this day, do observe, in their circumcision: If you have not such an instrument, you may take two little flat pieces of wood, and tie them both together at one end, and then put the Praeputium between them, as we have showed, afterwards tying both the other ends together, reasonable hard, & then cut away so much of the Praeputium as is without the wood, after the same manner, as you see smiths cut off the tops of horse ears.   depiction of medical instrument 
As for the Paraphimosis of little children, 
The Paraphimosis of little children.  it is of two sorts: For the Praeputium being slipped up over the Glans, it either sticks and stays so, or else it is only too short, and will easily be brought over it again and cover it, but not staying so, it goes back again strait: To that which doth cleave and stick to it, it is not fit to do any thing, by reason of the youngesse of the child: And for the other, which is only too short, 
The Author's opinion.  because it breeds no inconvenience, I would advise the Chirurgeon not to meddle with it, but rather to defer the practice of it, till the child be grown bigger, and be able to endure it, which shall be done in this sort.  
You must first of all, 
The method of doing it.  turn back all the Praeputium, that you may the better come at the inner membrane, which you must hold very fast; & make an incision round about it, the which incision must go no deeper than the said inner membrane: then letting it bleed well, you must make such another incision round about the uppermost membrane, which must go no deeper then to the nethermost: and presently as soon as you have made these two incisions, you must pull out the Praeputium at length which will easily stretch, because both the membranes by reason of the foresaid incisions, will yield. Afterwards you must have a care, that the said incisions grow not together again, and that the innermost membrane be not glued, and stick to the Glans, or top of the yard: which you may hinder by laying betwixt them, fine little linen rags, spread over with some ointment, which may serve also to heal the said incision.  

An other way  Some after they have made these incisions, pull the Praeputium quite over the Glans, and tie it reasonable hard, that the urine may have a passage, as also by this means to keep it from going back again, and then afterwards they untie it, when they would dress the inner incision.  

Cornelius Celsus appointeth this kind of Cure.  Some do only pull over the Praeputium, and tie it as we have shown: then they make an incision round about the skin of the yard near unto the groin, being very careful, that they neither cut any vein that is in those parts, nor of going so deep, as to the passage of the urine: When they have done thus, they draw the skin, toward the ligature, and lay some lint in the incision, to dilate it, and breed some flesh therein. And it is to be observed, that the Praeputium must be always tied at the end, otherwise it would turn back again, and the incision would grow together.  
But, 
Aeginetas' opinion.  (as Paulus Aegineta saith) since these two accidents of the Praeputium, do neither trouble them much, nor hurt any action: I would not counsel them, to make the party suffer such pain, whether he be young or old, nor to have him try the torment of such experiments.  
When it happens that there is no passage at the end of the yard, then must the Chirurgeon very cunningly make an hole there, that the urine may have free passage to come forth: which being done, it must be kept open, and skinned over with little cearing candles put therein, which must be bowed at the top, for fear lest they should get whole into the bladder; 
A good observation.  which I have seen happen unto some: The said cearing candle must be gently rubbed over with a little powder of Bole, and Tutia, and upon it shall be laid a little plaster of Refrigerans Galeni.  
If it chance, that the hole be not big enough, it must be widened with fine little cearing candles, fitted to the passage, and made with medicines that are somewhat corrosive, thereby to fetch away the upper skin of the hole: Taking great heed, that the candle go but a little way in; because the passage is narrow and strait only at the end, the rest being commonly large enough: And when the hole is wide enough, it must be cicatriz'd with the like cearing candles, as we have shown already, observing the same method as before.  
When the hole of the yard is at the bottom, and not at the end, where it ought to be naturally: If it may be done possibly, that the bottom of the Glans must be stopped up, and an other made in the end of it: For those that have the hole so low, cannot piss strait, but downward, or else they are constrained to hold up their yard toward their belly. And when they grow to be men, their seed cannot be carried strait, as it ought: which may be a means to hinder them from having children.  
For the performance of the Cure, it will be very needful to excoriate the sides of the said passage, and to breed a little flesh there, and afterwards to confirm and skin it: having first of all made another little hole at the end of the said Glans, which must be dressed and skinned with little cearing candles, as we have shown already.  
Besides all the other accidents heretofore mentioned, I have seen the yard of some children so crooked, that when it rose and grew stiff, the Glans or top of it was drawn, and bowed quite downward, which made them, that they could not piss strait. This fault proceedeth from the shortness of the string, which holds the Glans so straightly tied, that it cannot stretch itself forth when the yard grows stiff.  

The Cure.  As touching the Cure, both the Chirurgeon and the Parents must be content to let it alone for a while, till the child be grown a little older, and bigger. And when they would put it in practise, they must watch their time to do it, when the child's yard doth stand, and is stiff: Then the Chirurgeon turning back the Praeputium, shall uncover the Glans, as gently as he can: and as he finds the ligament or string to be too short, he shall cut it in the middle, and presently bring the Praeputium over it again, that the Glans be not left bare: having first laid upon the incision, a little chawed salt, as they do to the string of the Tongue, lest it should grow together again, and then he shall lay a little Emplaster of Refrigerans Galeni round about the yard.   

Of Wenches, that have their natural passage closed up, even from their birth. CHAP. XXXII.  
THere be some Maids, that are borne with their womb quite shut up, or that have no natural passage: which happeneth by means of some membrane, that is placed in that part, which closeth and shutteth up the entrance, (for certainly there is none which naturally hath not a passage.) But because there is something found, that stops up the entrance of it, therefore we say, that they have none at all. This membrane is not always seated in the same place, neither is it of the same form, and composition, nor of the same matter: For in some, it is placed in the very edge of the passage, and is easily perceived: and in others it lies deeper, near unto the inner orifice of the womb.  

Difference in figure.  In respect of the figure, some are pierced through the middle: Others have holes, like unto a Sieve, and some have none at all.  

Matter.  Concerning the matter, some are membranous, and others are fleshy: but those which come even from the birth, are rather membranous, then fleshy children.  

The Cure.  Those that trouble little children, are cured in this sort. First, we must diligently consider, and take good heed, where about the membrane is seated, or placed: for undoubtedly, the deeper it is, the more dangerous and difficult will be the Cure.  
But when it is at the brim, and edges of the outward neck of the womb, 
The order to do it.  and is plainly seen: the Chirurgeon (after he hath placed the child, as is fit) shall cut asunder the said membrane, with his instrument directly in the middle, without going any farther: As soon as he hath made the incision, he shall lay upon it, a little dry lint, that it come not together again: and some days following, let him use some drying Ointment, which must be laid on with fine linen clouts, as hath been showed before.  
To defer the Cure of it, till the child were grown elder, it might prove more dangerous with the time: 
Aristot. lib. 4. cap. 4. the gene ra● Animal.  which hath been well observed by Aristotle, where he saith.  
There be some women, that have even from their birth, the neck of their womb, as it were closed, and incorporated together: which hath continued so with them till the time they should have their courses, but when they have been ready to have them, with the very pain, in some the said neck hath broken open of itself, in others it hath been opened by the chirurgeons, and when they have been constrained to open it by force, or that it could not be opened, there have very many died of it.  
This accident hath happened unto divers, and amongst others to an honest maid who being ready to have her courses, fell very sick, her belly swelled, with great prickings and shootings downward, and continual vomiting, that troubled her, by the keeping back of the said courses, which could not come away by reason of the membrane that stopped up the passage. Which was very hard; for all the Physicians and chirurgeons, that looked unto her, to find it out, who had appointed her divers medicines, to bring down her courses: But when they saw, that all their medicines did her no good, they were of opinion to marry her, which was a means, that her husband found out her disease sooner than any Physician could. I was sent for to help her, but by reason of the badness, and danger of the way in travail, Mons. le Fort, and M. Collo sworn chirurgeons of Paris, were sent thither: who after they had perceived the disease, they cut the said membrane, and made such an incision, that there came out of it above three pound of congealed and clotted blood, and as black as melted pitch which eased the patient very much. But whether it were, that the incision was but half made, or that it had grown together again, about a year afterward Mr. Pineau, and I were called to finish the Cure, which we did with very good success after this manner.  

The manner of doing it.  Having well considered the membrane (which was hard and gluey, and had a hole in the middle of it, whereinto you might have put a large quill) we were of opinion to enlarge it, by making three incisions; which was done with such an instrument as hath been set down before to cut the Praeputium; and then presently we put in a Dilatory, such a one as they use to dilate the wound with, when they would take a stone out of the bladder) thereby to dilate and tear asunder the rest of the membrane, and to make the passage big enough for her to have the use of her husband: and as soon as we had stretched it, we presently put into it a Pessary made of silver, of a convenient bigness, which stayed there three days together, and was never taken forth, that the parts which had been cut and torn asunder, might not grow together again, as it had done before.  
At the three days end, the said pessary was taken forth, and others put in, made of linen cloth, and covered with digestive, 
A pessary of Lead.  and suppurating medicines: And when the said ulcer was ready to heal, it was skinned with Pessaries of Lead, applied as they ought to be, and with others made of cloth, covered with cicatrizing medicines. The said Gentlewoman was perfectly healed in three weeks.   

Of the fundament that is closed and stopped. CHAP. XXXIII.  
AS the yard of a boy, and the natural passage of a wench, are oftentimes found to be closed and stopped up, when they come into the World: So in like manner there are some of both sexes, whose fundament is naturally closed & stopped also, which cometh thus to pass by means of a Membrane, which hinders this passage. 
The fundament that is shut up must be speedily remedied.  Wherefore, considering the accidents, yea and the danger of death, which doth often attend it, it will be very needful to remedy it speedily. For if the child be not quickly purged of a certain matter, and excrement, called Meconium, which he hath gathered together in his guts, all the while he hath been in his mother's womb, he is in danger to have great and intolerable pains and gripings, and also to die in a short space: For the child cannot live except he have the benefit of nature that way.  
The means to help it is this: 
The Cure.  The Chirurgeon must first open the child's buttocks, & then let him consider, whether there be a hole in the fundament or whether it be stopped by some membrane. If he perceive, that the membrane is thin, Paulus Aegineta counseleth us to tear it. But if it be tough and strong, the best way will be for him to cut it with a fine little instrument, and to go as deep as the very fundament: 
How the even Cure must be performed.  which he may know by putting gently into the fundament, after he hath made the incision, a little fine probe, with some lint at the end of it: or else a piece of cearing Candle. Then the ulcer must be dressed with little linen tents, covered over with some drying medicine, which must be put into the fundament, lest the brims and edges thereof, being raw and excoriated, should grow together again. And it would not be amiss, to let the child take a gentle Clyster, to help to unburden him of the excrements that have been retained. And since that the staying or stopping of them, as I said before, is oftentimes cause of the child's death, it will not be from the matter to relate this story.  

A story.  Not long since, the wife of Mons. de Cugy, Mr. of the Munition in the arsenal of Paris, was delivered of a little Daughter, which had the passage of her fundament shut up. After she was born, she was delivered unto the Nurse to be carried into the country, where she continued seven or eight days, without voiding any thing by stowle, which made her belly swell extremely. Whereupon she was brought unto this City, and Mons. Rabigois, a Master Barber Chirurgeon and sworn at Paris, a very diligent and painful man was sent for, to see what might be the cause of this swelling: and he enquiring whether the child went to stool or no: it was answered him by the nurse she had never purged herself as yet that way, since she was born: then by & by he searched the fundament, and found it to be closed and stopped up, and therefore he did counsel the child's father to let him make an incision of the membrane, that stopped up the passage: whereunto the Father and Mother would not consent, till the morrow. But while the matter was debated and argued upon, the child died: And she was opened by the said Master Rabigois, who found all her guts filled, with the humour, called Meconium, and other filthy matter.   

Of the scab which comes on the child's head and face. CHAP. XXXIIII.  
OFtentimes there cometh upon the child's head and face a hard crusty scab, which covereth all the head quite over (and therefore it is called the Cap) and sometimes the face also: so that you can see nothing but the child's eyes, as though he had a mask on. The Latins call this scab Lactumen, 
Lactumen. Lactitium.  or Lactitium, as being an excrement of the Milk: And because it is of a yellow colour, like unto wax, it is also called Cerium. The cause hereof, 
Cerium.  is two fold, for either it is engendered of the relics of the women's courses or purge: 
The Cause.  or else of the Nurse's milk, which being of an ill quality, doth easily corrupt in the child's stomach, and cannot be turned into good juice, and much less be corrected by the Liver, it being sent thither to be turned into blood: which makes it, that being carried unto the head and face, it cannot be assimilated in those parts.  
Lest this scab might corrode, and eat into the skin, and afterwards the very bone of the head and face, and at length Gangrene the eyes: it will be very good to remedy it.  
For which purpose, the Nurse must keep a good diet, as we have formerly shown.  

The Cure.  Concerning Topical or outward medicines, you must have an especial care, that you use none that do repel, and drive back, but rather such as gently draw.  
You may bathe the crusts, especially those of the face, with gentle Fomentations made of Mallows, Althaea, Violet leaves, Chamomile and Melilot flowers and Linseed, boiled in milk: and with this decoction you may foment the crusts, and afterwards anoint them with Oil of sweet Almonds, Fresh Butter well beaten with Parietary water, and Oil of Violets washed with Barley water.  
I am wont to use an Ointment of Lard melted, and then well beaten and washed with Parietary water, and so anoint the crusts with it.  
If there be any ulcer, and that the scabs are fallen off; you may lay upon it a Cabbage, or a Beete leaf, a little heated on a Gridyron. The Ointment made of white Wax, and oil of sweet Almonds, is very good, when there is any rawness, or excoriation.   

Of the Meazels, and the small Pocks, what they are, and how they do differ. CHAP. XXXV.  
IT remaineth now, that we speak of the Measells, and the small Pocks: and because there be few children but have them either first or last, 
Few children escape the small pocks.  I have thought good, here to say a word or two of them briefly.  
The Measles and the Pocks, 
What the measles and the pocks are.  are little risings or pustules, which appear most commonly in great number, upon the outside of the skin: and at the first, they are so like one another, that you can hardly discern whether of them it is. But yet the Measles come more suddenly, and the face and skin of the whole body looks redder: and the redness continues longer without rising; there being joined with it most commonly a greater itching and pricking. 
Difference.  But the small pocks comes not forth so suddenly, neither is the skin so red: nor doth the colour stay so long: the pustules or pimples rise higher, neither itching nor pricking so much, and at length grow white.  
The cause of both of them, 
Cause.  are the relics of the impurer part of the blood, wherewith the child was nourished in his Mother's womb; which now is separated and thrust to the skin, through the help and strength of nature, because the child's blood boileth in the veins of every part of the body: (as Avicen saith) No otherwise then new wine doth in a vessel, 
A good comparison.  which boileth, casting up his froth, or scum, and separating it from itself. And, (as avenzoar saith) though the child be nourished, with the best part of the menstrual blood, yet there remains some little portion behind, which is of an ill quality; and after the child is borne, and is grown strong, he gathering together his forces and natural heat, thrusts it forth by the pores of the skin, nature being willing to acquit and rid herself of this superfluity.  
Besides, there is a certain disposition of time, caused through the malignity of the air, which raiseth and stirreth up the relics of the said menstrual blood in the child's body, wherewith he hath been nourished: unto which the corrupt air (that we breath, and which we cannot avoid) doth add an impression, of a second bad quality, wherewith nature being overcharged and offended, she thrusts them out to the skin, which receiveth the filth and uncleanness of the body.  
Now, the fuller the body is, of this menstrual blood, the deeper impression doth the outward air make in it: which is the reason, that some have them in greater quantity, and are fuller of them, then others: And so according to the malignity of the humour, it is also more, or less dangerous to some, then to others.  

Signs.  The marks and signs whereby you may know that the child will have the Pocks, are these: Headache, together with an Ague, redness of the eyes, which water very often, itching of the nose, a dry Cough, gaping, weariness of the body, pain of the heart, desire to vomit, the urine red, a pricking, and shivering through all the body, and sometimes convulsions, and rave. When it is the Measles, the face grows red, and ariseth all at once: but when it is the Pocks, neither the face, nor the rest of the body look so red: but you may perceive some little risings here and there, in the face, back, breast, and thigh's, which afterwards increase, and grow bigger.  
And when the Pocks begin to show themselves, than there happens heaviness of the head, the face swelleth, the eyes are settled, all the body becomes as it were puffed up, the voice grows hoarse, with difficulty of fetching breath, and soreness of the throat: For it is the property of this vile disease, to take hold of the Lungs; and yet we see oftener than we would, that the small Pocks do fall even upon the bones, and corrupt them.  
The signs to judge of the event of them, 
Good signs.  are these: If the Ague be but little, and diminisheth as the Pocks come forth: if they be but few in number, and those scattered here and there: if they come forth easily, without much pain, and that the child is not much disquieted, if they grow white and ripen quickly: these are signs of recovery. But if the Ague continue, and increase at the coming forth of them, 
Bad signs.  if they thrust forth in great quantity, one upon another; and if they run as it were all into one scab, not ripening speedily; if the child be very hoarse, and not able to speak; or fall into a bloody flux, these are ill signs. The first showeth, that it hath seized upon the Lungs: and the second, that it fretteth the guts.  
Again, the small Pocks is very dangerous, when it comes forth with pain and grief, though they be white. When they be small, green, bluish, or black, and that they sink down, and grow dry on the sudden, not coming to maturation and suppuration: if the child piss blood, and then by and by after his urine turns to be black, it is sign of death.  

The signs of the Measles.  Concerning the Measles, if they be but reasonable red, and have no ill accidents joined with them, but go away suddenly, they are not to be feared: But when they are high coloured, or if they be bluish, or greenish, accompanied with vomiting, pain of the heart, weakness, the bloody flix, and the like, they are very dangerous.   

Of the cure of the Measles, and small Pocks. CHAP. XXXVI.  
IN all diseases that happen unto little Children, and especially in the cure of this present sickness, the Chirurgeon must not be too hasty, nor do any thing rashly: For there be many oftentimes deceived, which think that the child will not have the Pocks, or Measles, because at the first they have but a little Ague, or Headache, or some other light sign of it: seeing, that this disease lieth long in the body, before it makes any show.  
And therefore, not without good cause, have the ancient writers observed; 
Hypocrates.  that sometimes it is better to do nothing, than to begin amiss, oftentimes altering thereby nature's course. Nevertheless, you cannot do amiss, in giving the child some little preservatives, as unicorns horn, Bezoard stone, and Cordial waters, causing him to be kept quiet, without taking the air, especially if it be cold weather.  
But as soon as the Chirurgeon perceiveth, 
How the Pocks must be helped.  that the child is taken with an Ague, and that he hath the signs heretofore mentioned, he must proceed in this manner to the cure of them.  
First he must have a care, 
The Cure.  in what place the child is laid, seeing that this disease doth partly proceed of a malign and contagious air, which after that it hath been drawn and carried by the Lungs, to the heart, and other parts of the body, it leaves there an impression of his bad quality, in that part of the menstrual blood, wherewith the child was nourished in the mother's womb, wherefore let the child be kept in good air, that is neither too hot, nor too cold. For being too hot, it may cause the child to have faintings and swoonings, and being too cold, as the Pocks, or Measles are coming forth, 
The Place.  it may keep them back, and drive them in again, and so hinder nature from expelling and putting forth the impurities, that are in the body. And therefore he must be kept warm in his bed, and reasonably well covered. Such as are more nice and curious, do hang the bed round with red coverlets: If it be winter, it will be good to have a fire in the Chamber, to rectify the Air, which perhaps is of the coldest, and also to correct some ill quality, which it may have, as Rhasis and Avicen write. If it be in heat of Summer it will not be needful to make so much fire, nor to keep the child covered so warm.  
Concerning his meat and drink: if the child suck, 
His Diet.  then must the Nurse keep a good diet, as we have heretofore prescribed, and as if she herself had an Ague. If the child be weaned, he must abstain from eating all manner of flesh, no not so much as of a little Chicken, till the pocks be wholly come forth. But (as Avicen saith) he may use Broths made with Capons or Chickens wherein you must put good store of Sorrel, 
Broths.  Cichory, bugloss, Borage, and Lettuce: He may also use the strained broth of Pease, Lentils, and Barley waters made with Figs, Dates, Raisings of the sun also, Jelly Prunes, and roasted apples, well sugared. For his drink let him use a Ptisane, 
His Drink.  made of Barley and Licorise, adding thereunto some Raisings of the sun, Figs, and Dates, but in small quantity. If that drink please him not, then let him use this drink following.  
An excellent Drink. Take of French Barley a handful, shavings of ivory, and Heart's horn tied in a little linen cloth, of each two drams. Boil them in a quart of water, and when it is almost sodden, put to it half an ounce of liquorice, half a Citron pealed and cut in slices: then strain it, and let him drink of it at his Meals, and when he is thirsty. When the Pocks are quite come forth, and begin to look white, and that the Ague grows less & less, than he may eat a little stronger meat, and drink a little water and Wine: his meat and drink must not be actually cold.  
And because the pocks do come in the mouth, tongue, and throat, 
A lenifying and soupling Drink.  as also all along the windpipe you may put to his drink, a little sugar, or syrup of Violets, juiubes or Cherries, and chiefly to that he drinketh between meals. This drink lenifieth & suppleth the roughness and excoriations, it is good for the Lungs, and the hoarseness wherewith they are troubled, and also it cleanseth gently.  
For his sleep, that must be moderate, 
His sleep.  if at the first he be very drowsy and heavy, he must be wakened, forfeare lest his head be filled with vapours: But it is also fit, if he cannot take his rest, to give him somewhat to make him sleep. For sleep doth well concoct the humours, and maketh the Pocks come forth the better: And for this purpose you may give him some fine Barley waters, and put into his Broths some Lettuce, and the cold seeds, and at night you may give him a little spoonful of syrup of juiubes, Nenuphar and Violets, mingled together, abstaining from all Narcoticall, or stupefying medicines.  
If he be bound, and cannot go to the stool, you may give him inwardly a little Oil of sweet Almonds, newly drawn, or a little Honey, as Avicen appointeth: which avenzoar allows not of, because he had taken some of it, (as he saith) when he had the Pocks, where with he thought he should have died. It will not be amiss, to give him a spoonful of Cassia, and if his belly be not loose, you may give him this gentle Clyster.  
A Clyster. ℞. Sacchar. rub. ℥ s. Ol. violate. ℥ i. Mell. Mercur. ʒ iij. cum Decoct. Vituli vel pulli ℥ v. fiat enima, cum quo intestina abluantur.  
Concerning blood-letting, if the child be somewhat big, 
Blood letting.  as of three or four year old, or if he be of a very sanguine complexion, and that the Ague be accompanied with unquietness, tossing to and fro, raving, difficulty of breathing, and inflammation of the eyes. I would advise you to draw a little blood from him, which I have seen practised, (in the first days of the sickness) by the best Physicians of this City.  
Rhasis and Avicen command, that at the beginning we do open the vein of the Nose: and they say moreover that many have very happily been freed of this disease, by bleeding at the Nose: because the matter that breedeth the pocks, hath been diminished thereby: and also it hindereth the violent ebullition of the blood, that it ascends not in so great quantity, up into the head and face, or keeps it from taking hold on any part, as the lungs or guts: So that nature being disburdened of part of this humour, expelleth and thrusteth out the rest more easily.  
The same Authors for the bringing of them forth the sooner, and with the less pain do appoint that the child should take this drink.  
A Drink. ℞. Caricar. ping. ℥ i. Lentium excort. ℥ s. G●m. Lacca. ʒ ij. Tragacanth. sem. foenicul. an. ʒ ij ss. fiat decoct. in aqua. font. ad lib. ij. percoletur. Colatura dulcoretur saccharo, vel syrupo Capill. Vener. & de hac in potu exhibeatur, ut aetas consenties manè ieiuno stomacho, & serò cubitum ituro.  
If the child be so little that he cannot take this drink, than the Nurse must be careful to drink a good draft of it herself morning and evening.  
Whilst that this diet is observed, and the foresaid medicines used, you may give the child some of this cordial julep.  
A Cordial julep. ℞ Aqu. Cordial. an. ℥ ij. syrup. de Limonibus ℥ i. misce utatur sape.  
Besides he may take four or five days together the quantity of four or five grains of Bezoards stone, and as much unicorns horn.  
But because for the most part, this malign humour seizeth upon the eyes, nose, ears, throat and lungs, it will be very good to defend and fortify them, that they may be as little offended, as may be.  
For the eyes, 
To preserve the eyes.  they take commonly a little saffron mingled with Plantain, and rose-water, and therewith they rub the eyelids round about.  

Avicen.  Avicen appointeth the lids to be washed with the juice of a Pomegranate.  
If there be a great inflammation and redness, than this Collyrium shall be applied to the eye.  
A water for the Eyes. ℞. Aq. Rosar. Plantag. Euf●as. an. ℥ ij. Album. ovi ℥ s. Troch. Albor. Rhas sine Opio ℈ j Corcigrana vi. Agitentur diu omnia simul, deinde colentur per filtrum, de quo oculi saepius tangantur & illinantur.  
The Collyrium must be applied always warm.  
It will be also very good to put a little unguentum Tutiae into the corners and lids of the Eyes.  

To preserve the Nose.  That nothing may happen unto the Nose, you must use this medicine.  
An Errhinon. ℞. Aq. Rosar. Betonicae, an. ℥ i. Aceti ℥ ss. succi Granator. ʒ vi. in quibus macerentur Santal. Citrin. subtiliter pull. ʒ ij. Croci gr. vi. fiat Errhinum.  
You must cause the child to smell often to this water, and sometimes put a little of it into his nostrils: 
Ears.  The like medicine may be used to his Ears, with a little cotton.  
Let him use this Gargarism, to preserve his Mouth, 
Mouth and Throat.  Tongue, and Throat.  ℞. Hord. integ. m. i. fol. Plantag. oxalid. Arnogloss. Agrimon. Verbenae, an. m. ss. fiat decoct. ad ℥ vi. in quibus dissolve syrup. Granator. è Rosis siccis, an. ℥ ss. Croci ℈ i. fiat Gargaris'. 

The Lungs.  The Lungs must be preserved with medicines, that do lenify and supple the Trachea arteria: which may be done with Syrup of juiubes, Nenuphar, and Violets: Also let him hold in his mouth Sugar Candie, Lozenges of Diatragacanthum frigidum, and Trochisa bechici.  
Three or four days after the Pocks are come forth, you must rub the face with Oil of sweet Almonds, drawn without fire, to make them ripen the sooner, or else with this Lineament.  
Take old Lard, and cut it into pieces, and melt it, when it is melted, strain it through a cloth, then wash and beat it well with water, and anoint the face with it.  
When the Pocks are come to maturation, and are ripe enough, which you may know by their whiteness, as also when they feel them begin to itch (which happens commonly toward the eighth or ninth day,) that they may be the sooner dried, and leave no marks or pits behind them, the face must be anointed with this medicine, which I have used, and found to have done much good.  
Take two drams of Chalk, 
An approved medicine.  and two ounces of thin Cream, mingle them well together, and herewith shall you rub all the face over with a feather, or else a linen cloth tied at the end of a stick, for the space of two or three days.  
This medicine doth kill and dry up the Pustules, which will fall away of themselves, without pulling them off: and the skin underneath will be smooth, and even, without any dent or hollowness.  
Some do only use the foresaid Ointment made with Lard, and continue it till the Pocks be wholly dried of themselves.  
Avicen useth this medicine.  
Auicens' medicine. ℞. Farin. Hord. Fabar. Lentium excorticat. an. ʒ i. Thuris, Myrrh. Lytargir. an. ʒ ss. lactis Nutricis q. s. fiat linimentum satis liquidum, quo illinantur pustulae.  
And if there be any excoriation, you shall use this Ointment.  
Another Ointment. ℞. Litharg. Auri, Cerus. an. ʒ ss. Myrrh. ℈ ss. Ol. Mastich. ℥ i. ss. agitentur omnia simul in mortario, & fiat Linimentum.  
And for the beautifying and making the skin smooth, use the Oil drawn out of Pompey, or citrul seeds, and of Pistaces; Oil of Eggs maketh the skin look yellow.  
Fresh Buttermilk is excellent good, but you must warm it, that the little pieces of butter which stay behind, may be melted: and with this liquor must you wash or rub the face.   

The means to preserve little Children from the Measles, and the Pocks. CHAP. XXXVII.  
THe small Pocks, and the Measles do much annoy, and bring many inconveniences unto children: For daily experience showeth us, that many die thereof, and those which escape, do oftentimes bear the marks and badges of this vile disease. I have seen divers children, that have been lame and maimed, both of their arms, and legs, through the very malignity of the humour, that fell down upon their tender joints and bones: 
divers accidents.  Others have lost their eyes: or at the least there hath remained some pearl, or spot upon them: Others have had their eyes staring, red, or watering: Some have been deaf, and dull of hearing: Others have had their nose and mouth shrunk together, or else puffed up: and some have been hoarse afterwards all their life time: The least accident of all is, that many have remained disfigured with pits and holes in their faces.  
So that if they could be preserved from them, 
To preserve children from the Measles & small Pocks.  it would both be a great contentment to their Parents, and an ease to themselves. Now, as this disease is caused (as we have said) of the relics of the menstrual blood, wherewith the child hath been nourished, stirred up by the malignity of the air (which it is impossible to shun or avoid:) So to go about to preserve a child from it, we must do two things; The first shall be, to shun and avoid this corrupted Air, and to rectify it the best we can possibly: The second is, to evacuate and purge away the relics of this humour, and to make them less hurtful.  
Wherefore, both the Nurse and the child must live in a house, that stands in a good air, far from any sinks, privies, or Churchyards, from whence there arise many unwholesome vapours, and exhalations: Her chamber must have a good air, rather standing high, then low: Let the window look rather toward the North, or the East, then to the South, or the West. If the weather be not too cold, let the casements stand open, to air the chamber. If it be very cold, they must be shut, and you must make a good fire, burning some juniper, Rosemary, or Cypress, using also sometimes a little sweet perfume. If the chamber be too hot, you must strew it with Rushes, & a few Vine leaves, Violet leaves, Nenuphar, and Roses, sprinkling it with cool water, and a little Vinegar.  

The Nurses and the child's diet.  The Nurse must keep a good diet, such as we have heretofore prescribed: she must drink water a little coloured with wine, and if the child be weaned, he must keep the same kind of diet: His meat must be seasoned with the juice of an Orange, and you shall also put some juice of Lemons into his Broths, but you must parboil it a little that it hurt not his stomach.  

Their sleep.  Both the Nurse and the child must sleep moderately: she must not sleep after dinner, unless she have not rested in the night, by reason her child hath been froward, who may sleep a little in the day time, after dinner, if he be not weaned.  

Purging.  The Nurse also and the child (if he be any thing big) may be gently purged with Cassia, Rhubarb, Senay, syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb; and syrup of Damask Roses.  

Letting blood  If you perceive that both their bodies be plethorical, or full, it will be fit to draw a little blood: which must be understood, if the child be three or four years old.  
And concerning medicines, either General, or Topical: I refer you to the former chapter, which have as much power and virtue to preserve one from the disease, as to cure it after it is come.   

Of the French Pocks which happeneth unto Children. CHAP. XXXVIII.  
THe French Pocks may happen to a child, either from his mother's womb or else by the Nurse's fault, who may be defiled and infected with it.  
The signs are like unto those, 
Signs.  which are observed in elder persons: but the most common are Pustules, Ulcers, and Excoriations, which appear chiefly about the child's buttocks and thighs.  
As for the Cure, we must have a respect, 
The Cure.  both to the nurse, and the child. If the child hath taken it of the Nurse, she must be put away, and he must have another: who must take such a diet as is commonly prescribed for those, that are infected with this disease.  
First, she shall be purged, and let blood, 
Her diet.  she must keep a good diet, and eat rather boiled meat, than roasted, because the decoctions she must use will dry her the better to breed sufficiently: as also milk to nourish the child.  
Let her drink every morning of this or the like decoction, 
The use of the Decoction.  having a care to make it either weaker or stronger, according to her temper, and the time of the year: But before she takes it, you must give her some of the Opiate following.  
Both of them have power to make her milk medicinal, and to hinder the child from imparting the disease unto her so soon, as otherwise he might do, if she took no preservative.  
The Decoction. ℞. Rasur. interior. lign. sanct. ℥ i. radic. sarsaes, Chinae an. ℥ i ss. lign. sassafras ℥ i. sem. Cardui weaned. ʒ ij. Trium flor. Cordial. an. m. i. rasur. Eboris. Cornu cerui. an ʒ iij. Macerentur omnia in Balneo Mariae spatio xxiv. horar. in aq. fontan. lib. x. deinde fiat Colatura per manicam Hippocraticam, & dulcoretur sacchari albi lib. ss. ad usum.  
The Opiate. ℞. Opiatae Fernel. ℥ i ss. Cons. Rosar. Boragin. Buglos. seorzoner. an. ℥ i. spec. Diamargarit frigid. ʒ i eum syrup. Conservation. Citri fiat Opiata. Capiat ʒ ij, ante decoctum, ut dictum est.  
She must first take the Opiate, and then drink some of the decoction or infusion after it, and keep her bed, and sweat an hour or two, without forcing herself.  
After she hath sweat, she must not give her child suck presently: but she must rest, and cool herself a little, and then give him the teat: But first she shall rub it with a little Aqua Theriacalis, to resist and hinder the infection.  
If you cannot find a Nurse, that will venture to give the child suck, in stoede thereof, you shall cause him to suck a Goat; which I have caused some to do.  
A Treacle water for the little child. 
Aqua Theriacalis.  ℞. Theriac. veter. ℥ i. Cons. Rosar. anthos. Borag. Buglos. an. ℥ ij. Rasur. interior. lign. Indi. ℥ i. Rad. sarsae par Chinae an. ℥ ss. Rad. scorzoner. ʒ vi. flor. Cordial. Calendul. Genist. an. m. ij. Aquar Cardui Benedict. Scabios. Borag. Buglos. Melissa an. lib. 3. ponantur omnia in Alembico vitreo, posteà macerentur spatio xxiv. horar. deinde fiat destillatio, ut artis est.  
Let the child take a spoonful of this water, three times a day, in the morning, at noon and at night, 
The use.  adding thereto a little sugar Candy or syrup of Lemons. The nurses may also take two ounces of it in the morning.  
And because the true Antidote against this disease, is Quicksilver, therefore will it be very fit to anoint the child's pustules with some such Ointment, not bringing him to a flux of the mouth.  
The Ointment. ℞. Vng. Rosat. Mes. ℥ iiij. Hydrargiri cum succo limonum extincti ℥ s. misce, fiat ung. pro litu.  
If the child be elder, let him be purged twice with a little Seine; and syrup of Cichory, with Rhubarb, neither will it be amiss (if he be bigger and stronger) to open a vein, and take away a saucer full of blood: He may also use the foresaid decoction, and Opiate some eight or ten days: only diminishing the doses of the Ingredients.   

Of the breeding, and coming forth of Hairs on children's backs and rains, called in Languedocke Masquelon, and of the Latins, Morbus pilaris. CHAP. XXXV.  
IT had been more agreeable and convenient, to have set down this disease, in the Chapter of the Unquietness and Crying of little children: But as this book was even almost printed, Mr Toignet, a Barber Chirurgeon of Paris, put me in mind of this disease, that happens unto little Children, which is very common in Languedocke, and is called in their language Masquelon. Having inquired of divers Physicians, about this disease, and amongst the rest, of Mons. Riollan, Doctor of Physic in Paris, and the King's Professor in chirurgery, a very learned and painful gentleman; he told me, that Montanus had written of it, 
Morbus Pilaris.  and that he called it Pilaris affectio.  
As soon as little Children are taken with this disease, they cry and take on extremely, and yet one can not perceive any cause, why they should do so; which brings them oftentimes even to their grave, for that this disease draws along with it Epylepticall convulsions: because the Sinews which come forth of the backebone, and are scattered on each side, are over burdened, and filled with some fuliginous vapour, of which Hairs are bred, and they by their great length, and continuity, are carried directly to the brain: whither when they are come, they cause this disease.  
The women of the Country of Languedocke, because it is a common disease with them, make no great reckoning of it, and do help it in this manner.  
With the palm of their hand, they do rub the bottom of the child's back and rains down to the crupper bone so long, till they feel through the pores of the skin, the tops of very stiff and pricking Hairs to come forth, like unto hogs bristles: which as soon as they see, that they are come forth, they pull them away by and by with their nails, or else with such little pincers, as women use to pull the hair from off their eyebrows.  
The same Montanus counseleth the woman, to rub her hand first with some new Milk: which being done, and the Hairs pulled away, the child presently recovers his health, and leaveth his ordinary cries and laments.  
There may also happen unto little Children divers other diseases, besides these that I have spoken of: But because they be common as others are, and such as may happen to one of any age: as Wounds, Ulcers, Impostumes, Fractures, Luxations, and soreness of the Head; we have willingly omitted them for brevity sake: And also for that you may have recourse to those, that have written thereof more particularly in their chirurgery.  
The end.