THE EXPERT MIDWIFE, OR An Excellent and most necessary Treatise of the generation and birth of Man.  
Wherein is contained many very notable and necessary particulars requisite to be known and practised: With diverse apt and useful figures appropriated to this work.  
Also the causes, signs, and various cures, of the most principal maladies and infirmities incident to women.  
Six Books Compiled in Latin by the industry of james Rueff, a learned and expert Chirurgeon: and now translated into English for the general good and benefit of this Nation.  
LONDON. Printed by E G. for S. B. and are to be sold by Thomas Alchorn at the sign of the Green Dragon in Saint Paul's Churchyard. 1637.   

Imprimatur  
THO. WYKES. R. P. Ep. Lond. Cap. Domest.   

To all grave and modest Matrons, especially to such as have to do with women in that great danger of childbirth, as also, to all young practitioners in Physic and Chirurgery, whom these matters may concern, Grace, Peace, and good success, in their undertake, hearty wished.  
ALbeit the sundry precedents of books in this kind, formerly published, might free me from Apologizing for myself for this work, yet will I add to what others have said one reason of main consequence, not observed by any that I have read, which will much strengthen these my endeavours. It is observable that in all ages of the world and throughout all countries in the world, that the help of grave and modest women (with us termed Midwives) hath ever been useful for relief & succour of all the daughters of Evah, whom God hath appointed to bear children into this world, which things so being, and women with all being universally as all men know (for the most part) unlearned, any further than to understand their own native language, as a french woman to understand french, a dutch women dutch, or an english women english. And the business whereunto God hath ordained them of so great and dangerous consequence as concerns the very lives of all such as come into the world, and withal for preventing of great danger and manifold hazards, both unto the mother and unto the infant it being necessarily required that the parties employed thereabout, should understand the business which they take in hand, which cannot be without the knowledge of many particulars concerning both the mother and the Infant, which they can never attain unto, but either by the use of books penned by skilful Physicians & Surgeons, or by conference with the learned and skilful (which can hardly, or not at all, in most places be had, or else by practical & long experience, which though it be the surest mistress, yet is it the dearest, and hath cost the lives of many, both in this kind and otherwise, before knowledge could be thereby obtained; these things so being, what reason hath any to seek or debar grave and modest women, such as God hath called to that function (or other grave and modest matrons; such as though not so precisely thereunto called, yet may be assistant and helpful unto the midwife in so great dangers, and whose pains & labours also are of an absolute necessity, in the midwives absence) of the use of such means as may enable them to the undertaking of matters so dangerous, and so full of peril, with much less hazard to the patients, and pains and turmoilings to themselves; for the unskilfulness and want of knowledge in the midwife in matters both concerning the mother and the infant, doth questionless oftentimes endanger the lives, both of the one and the other, and procure much unnecessary trouble to themselves, whenas, perhaps, had a skilful midwife the matter in hand, there would be neither peril to the one, nor pain to the other: but will some (nicely precise) perhaps say, It is unfit that such matters as these should be published in a vulgar tongue, for young heads to pry into. True, if by other means it might be effected: but the danger being great and manifold, and the unlearned for their sex for the most part (further than their own tongue) being in all ages and in all places, (as I have said) thereunto assigned; whether is it better that millions should perish for want of help and knowledge, or that such means which though lawful in themselves, yet may by some be abused, should be had and used? do we not see in many cases, that those things which otherwise were monstrous, are yet by necessity made tolerable? Or shall we because some good things are by evil men and evil minds abused, therefore deprive the good, of the use of good things? If such slender reasons as these might prevail, than might there perhaps a great number perish, before ever they saw the light, who otherwise might live and increase the number of God's church by their offsprings, and perhaps also a great deal more work might be made for men-mid-wives, than yet is, although there be too too much already, and some perhaps for private profit have too fare already encroached upon women's weaknesses and want of knowledge in these their peculiar businesses. To conclude, I say only this, my intentions herein are honest and just, and my labours I bequeath to all grave, modest and discreet women, as also to such as by profession, practise either Physic or Chirurgery. And whose help upon occasion of extreme necessity may be useful and good, both for mother, child, and midwife. But young and raw heads, Idle serving-men, profane fiddlers, scoffers, jesters, rogues; avaunt, pack hence; I neither meant it to you, neither is it fit for you. Thus craving the favourable construction of the grave and honest, but not respecting the rash censures of the peevish. I rest at your devotion unto whom in the beginning I have inscribed these my labours, the particular contents whereof, follow in the next leaf.  
Far you well.   

The Method of the Work, through the Arguments of the Books and Chapters.  

THe first Book intreateth of the Generation of man and women.  

Of the generative, or begetting seed, what it is, how, and in what manner it hath its beginning. Chap. 1  
Of the mixture of the seed of both sex: also of the substance and form of the same. Chap. 2  
Of the three coats, with which the Feature is environed, defended & covered in the womb. Chap. 3  
Of the three faculties disposing and governing the body, and of the spirit itself. Chap. 4  
Of the true Generation of the parts, and the increase of the Feature, according to the days and months. Chap. 5  
Of the food of the Feature in the womb, with what nourishments it is nourished, and when it groweth to be an Infant. Chap. 6    

The second Book, of the Matrix and parts thereof; also of the condition and state of the Infant in the womb, and of the care and duty to be observed by women with child.  

How necessary a thing it is, to insert the Anatomy of the Matrix to this Worke. Chap. 1  
Of the substance, form, qualities of the Matrix, and the parts annexed. Chap. 2  
Of what great profit it is, to have an exact knowledge of this Tractat. Chap. 3  
Of the condition of the Infant in the womb, also of the care and duty belonging to women conceived with child. Chap. 4  
How the Infant is conditioned, and in what state he is, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth month: And also of the difference of the sex and forms. Chap. 5  
Of certain Precepts very necessary for women conceived with child, even to the hour of the birth, by reason of diverse chances. Chap. 6    

The third Book, of the birth, and of all manner of remedies, which may concern women in time of childbirth, and also their Infants.  

Of the due and lawful time of the birth, and of the form and manner of it, and also of the pains and dolours of women in time of their travel and labour. Chap. 1.  
Of the office of Midwives, and of the apt form and fashion of their Stool, or Chair. Chap. 2  
Of certain natural Precepts and Medicines furthering and easing the slowness and difficulty of the birth. Chap. 3  
How the Secundines or after-burden may have an easy passage if it stay behind. Chap. 4  
Of the usage and ordering of the woman in childbed, and of the Infant being newly borne. Chap. 5  
How, and with what Instruments children sticking in the womb, and being dead, are to be brought forth. Chap. 6    

The fourth Book, of the differences and varieties of an unnatuarall birth, and of the cure and remedies of them.  

Of the first form and fashion of a birth not natural, and how it is to be remedied. Chap. 1  
Of the second. Chap. 2  
Of the third. Chap. 3  
Of the fourth. Chap 4  
Of the fifth. Chap. 5  
Of the sixth. Chap. 6  
Of the seventh. Chap. 7  
Of the eighth. Chap 8  
Of the ninth. Chap. 9  
Of the tenth. Chap. 10  
Of the eleventh. Ch. 11  
Of the twelfth. Chap. 12  
Of the thirteenth. Ch. 13  
Of the fourteenth. Ch. 14  
Of the fifteenth. Cham 15    

The fifth Book, of the false conception named Mola, and other false tumours of the womb: Also of aborcements and certain Monsters, and likewise of the diverse signs of conception.  

Of the deceiving conception Mola, and of other falsely supposed conceptions. Chap. 1  
Of the cure of the false conception Mola, and other false tumors and swellings of the womb. Chap 2  
Of unperfect children, and also of monstrous births. Chap. 3  
Of the causes and signs of aborcement, or untimely births, and also of all manner of cures of such as suffer abortion. Chap. 4  
Of the signs of Conception. Chap. 5  
Whether men and women may engender or conceive children of Devils and Spirits: and again, whether Devils and Spirits may have children by men and women. Chap. 6    

The sixth Book, of diverse causes of sterility and barrenness, and of the special maladies of the Matrix; and also of the diverse remedies of all of them.  

Of the sterility of men and women: also of the causes and signs of the same. Chap. 1  
Of the cure and remedy of sterility and barrenness, proceeding from phlegm. Chap. 2  
Of the cure of sterility, arising from the choleric humidities and moistures of the Matrix. Chap. 3  
Of the cure of barrenness, if it proceed from superfluous bloody humours of the Matrix. Chap. 4  
Of the cure of sterility proceeding from a melancholy humour. Chap. 5  
Of the remedy of sterility, proceeding from overmuch heat, dryness, moisture, and coldness. Ch. 6  
Of certain general Precepts, serving for the curing of the barrenness of men and women. Chap. 7  
Of the suffocation or choking of the Mattrix, and of the causes and cure of the same. Chap. 8  
Of the precipitation or falling down of the Matrix, and of the causes and cure of it. Chap. 9  
Of the superfluities of the Terms, and of the cure of the same. Chap. 10  
Of the causes and cure of the stopping of the Terms. Chap. 11     

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE Generation of Man.  

CHAP. I. Of the Generative or Begetting Seed, how, and in what manner it hath his beginning.  
WE observe the natural Procreation of man, 
The procreation of man, such as the generation and beginning of Plants or Herbs.  to be altogether such, as we perceive the Generation & beginning of Plants, or Herbs, of every kind to be. For as they, every one of them from the seed of his kind, cast into the womb of the earth, do bud, or increase, and do naturally grow to the perfect form of his proper Nature: So man also, being a reasonable creature, according to the quality of his body, doth naturally draw his original & beginning from the sperm, and Seed of man, projected and cast forth into the womb of woman, as into a field. But that matter of Generation, which we call sperm or Seed, 
What the begetting seed is.  by his original and nature, is only a superfluous humour, the residue and remainder, I say, of the nutriment and food, and the superfluity of the third concoction, or gestion in the body, derived and conveyed along, through the hidden and secret organs, or instruments, from the chiefest members of the body, unto the generative parts, and serveth for Generation.  

From whence it hath its beginning.  And it hath his beginning and breeding, from the residues and remnants, of all the meats belonging to the nourishment of man, after they be altered, and transmuted, even to the third Concoction: of the superfluity of which concocted food, collected and gathered together, in his proper and due manner, it is evident that the same is engendered, according to the constitution of the age and nature: For there is made, a threefold concoction of any meat, 
Three Concoctions.  altered and converted into the nourishment of the living creature, even to generation of Seed, that concoction nevertheless following, which is the purest of all concoctions: For the food being Concoction. 1 sent down into the stomach by chewing, straight, way the pure nutriment, which is ordained to the other part (the dry excrement being driven downward thorough the guts to the belly) through the sucking veins (named in Latin Meseraicae) carried, as it were, to one gate, flowing out of innumerable channels, is brought to the Liver. Where, to the disposition of the former concoction, made in the stomach, there is forthwith made the second concoction, in the Concoction. 2 Liver, of the food derived unto it, the superfluous matter being separated, that is to say, both kinds of choler, and the waterish humour drawn and attracted by the emulgent vessels (in Latin Vasa emulgentia) that it being strained thorough the Kidneys, might descend down into the Bladder, than the remnant and residue refined and cleansed in the Liver by this concoction, that is to say, blood, is conveyed over to the heart to receive his vital administration and office. In Concoction. 3 the heart again is made the third concoction of the food, being received at one time: For there blood, having taken unto it vital and lively Spirit, being diffused and sent abroad throughout the several members of the body, doth again expel and void out that, 
How seed is it gendered.  which is superfluous in itself, by the secret pores & passages. At length, here the Spirit changeth, and turneth the blood conveyed thorough the spermaticall, or seede-vessells (being branches of Vena cava) there also further concocted, into the Nature of sperm or Seed, by the twined revolutions and backe-turning of the smallest vessels for this purpose, and by the Glandulous, or kernelled substance of the testicles, and the seed passages (which they call Parastatae) available in that behalf. So the blood exquisitely wrought, and laboured, and, for the most part, converted into vital spirit, is straightway conveyed by the Artery, named Oborta, and branches thereof, to all the other members of the whole body. But Concoction. 4 afterward in the fourth place (that we may add this besides our purpose) there is made an alteraon of the food, into the like substance of the thing nourished, this juice quickening and strengthening life, which being the purest of all remained lastly with the vital spirit; that thing in like sort being expelled, in sweat thorough the pores, if any impure thing shall be remaining, or engendered.  
But that the reason of this generation, 
The like reason of seeds in Plants.  and beginning may be made more plain, and evident unto us: we will declare by a brief demonstration hereunto added, that there is the same beginning of Plants, and herbs, and of other things, which fall under the same consideration, that Plants and Herbs do. Therefore as in the seeds of every kind, the grain itself cast into the ground is the food, and, as it were, the first subject of all the alteration following, whereby it buds & springs, is augmented, and grows up into a Nature like unto it: so meat being taken, affordeth in man's body, the first, matter to variable concoction. And as there in Plants, we observe a most certain separation of the pure from the impure, and of the remnant from the superfluous matter; so here we perceive a natural separation and sequestration of that which is unprofitable from that which is profitable, by their certain degrees. For, first the seed being committed to the earth, by and by swelling with moisture of the same, strippeth itself from that little skin, in which it was enclosed, and springing upward, casteth forth the same being empty, as a dry excrement, the grain in the mean time budding and sprouting forth, that it may proceed forward to the increase. Afterward the increase and growing, stretching even to the fruit disrobed and bereft of the flower; the second purging casteth down the flower sprung up in the top of the bough, but preserveth the hope of the fruit, being stripped of his flower, as that thing which remaineth pure and profitable, by the second purging. Afterward, the fruit being grown to his just quantity, the third alteration casteth down the leaves, as the superfluity of this degree, but ordaineth the fruit, being now so often cleansed and purged, for the utility of the naurishm nt of men, maturity and ripeness being granted unto it. But now either the seed breaketh the fruit, lying hid in it, or else it sendeth it out by putrefaction, and being cast into the ground, it hastenth again into the property of its own nature, not tending towards itself, which is remaing, but to the likeness of his first original, from whence it had his beginning: that in the same it is altogether true. 
Nature engenders things like unto itself.  That Nature doth engender things like unto itself: For every thing doth naturally covet, and desire the form and likeness of that, from whence it is bred: whereby thou canst not see apples, to grow from a pear, nor pears from an apple, unless it be otherwise procured by the means of grafting, and planting. Wherefore the same thing remaineth, to be acknowledged in the Generation of man and woman, which is to be confessed in the growing of Plants and Herbs, that because we see bodies well distinguished by members, to be engendered of seed, we may also believe that the same seed doth proceed from the distinct, 
Whether the ingendring-seed be from the brain.  and several parts of the body; wherefore let them look what and how well they speak which do affirm, the seed of Generation to be engendered of the brain only, when as it is not so agreeable to the consideration of the concoctions, 
A good part of the seed derived from the brain; but the greatest part is from the chiefest parts of the whole body.  nor to the constitution of the bodies. Truly, it is certain that some, neither also a small part, is derived from the brain, but the chiefest part is collected and gathered together from the chiefest parts of the whole body. For if we say, that this should be engendered of one, or two parts only: every man shall perceive that this consequence would follow by an infallible reason, 
What the consequence would be, if the seed should be engendered of one or two parts alone.  to wit, that those same parts only, should be engendered again. Therefore we say rightly, that besides that beginning, which it draweth from the brain, it is engendered from the whole body, and the most especial parts of the same, the effect itself manifesting the cause, most especially when we see distinct members, and perfectly finished, according to the due form of the body, in things procreated and brought forth. We have on our side, 
Hypocrates affirmeth, the seed to be collected from the whole body.  against the opinion of others, Hypocrates himself, being the Prince of all Physicians; who also himself doth affirm, that the seed is collected from the whole body, and so truly, that the thing begotten, doth answer and agree to the constitution of the thing begetting, of feeble seed, I say, a weak man being borne, 
The infirmities and ill-favoured marks in children proceeds from the corruption of the seed in parents.  but of strong seed, a strong and lusty man being borne. By which things it happeneth, that also many times we see the infirmities, and ill-favoured marks of the body in the children, which are remaining in the parents, which we do constantly believe, to have passed into them, by the corruption of the seed. Therefore, these things being certainly determined, concerning the beginning and matter of engendering seed, let it suffice to have spoken these things in the first place.   

CHAP. II. Of the mixture of the Seed of both sex, also of the substance and form of them.  
But after the womb (which is a generative member of the Female sex) hath conceived the seed of man, it doth admix and mingle her seed also to it, so that of both the seeds of both sex, there may be made one mixture. 
The first matter of the Feature. Aristotle's opinion.  But about the first matter of the Feature, all are not of the same judgement. For Aristotle saith, that the Terms of the woman, are a prepared matter, of the whole Feature, although it be crude and indigested, which is formed & fashioned by the seed of man, received into it, the same seed being turned into vital spirit, which like a workman, doth proportion and fashion this matter, like a Smith plating and smoothing his rude piece of Iron upon the Anvil. But Galen declareth, 
Galens' opinion.  that both the seeds confused and mingled together in the Matrix, are the first matter of the Feature, and so truly, that with out the due mixture of these, nothing can be conceived, nor engendered. Yet although the mixture of these may be made equal, notwithstanding it is out of all doubt, that the quality of them is not alike: 
The seed of man more hot and thick than woman's.  for the seed of man doth exceed woman's seed, in heat and thickness, which incomparison of man's seed, is more moist and cold, and therefore also it is manifest that it is more waterish, yea, in respect of the temperature. 
The woman's seed affordeth the like help as man's doth in framing the Feature.  But nevertheless, although they differ so much in quality, the woman's seed doth yield and afford the like help and furtherance, in framing the Feature, that the seed of man doth, so that the seeds do mutually grow, and increase at once together, by the virtue of both of them.  
Further, when as menstruous blood, is the matter of woman's seed (that as well the beginning of this, as of man's seed, may be evident unto us) we must understand, 
What the Terms are.  that the Terms (named in Latin Menstruum) are no other thing, (a natural consideration being had of them) than the excrement of the third concoction, or digestion, gathered together, and voided every month (named the monthly Purgation, of the Latin words, 
Every woman of a sound constitution ought to have her natural and monthly purgation.  mensis Lunaris) for every woman being of that age, which may endure this Purgation, so that her body be of a sound and healthful constitution, ought naturally to be Purged and cleansed from this superfluous matter every month; And for the same cause the Germans do name this Purgation, Flowers; because even as the trees which do not blossom and send forth flowerrs either through age or corruption of Nature, do not fructify, nor bring forth fruit: 
Without natural purgation in due se●ion, women cannot conceive nor engender.  so also every woman deprived of these Flowers, I say, of this purging in her due season, by the course of Nature, can neither conceive, nor engender, being like unto an unfruitful and a barren man, destitute and deprived of the same virtue, and faculty of engendering, either by some defect or corruption, or because natural heat is exhausted and wasted, by his over-moist and cold complexion.   

CHAP. III. Of the three Coats, wherewith the Feature is environed, defended and covered.  
THe little room, or coffin being engendered after the conception; the vital Spirit enclosed in the same, rouseth and putteth forth itself, and then the defences or cawls are engendered to the Feature conceived. And first, truly, of the uttermost face and superficies of the seed, because of the waterish moisture and humidity of women's seed, is engendered a thin and slender membrane, or call, which by reason of his moist quality, is extended and stretched abroad; at the first being so transparent and clear, that we may see thorough it, 
The first coat or call of the Feature, is named, Chorion.  but after the birth, it is contracted and drawn together into a little heap, named Chorion, or Secundae. Besides, of the superfluous humidity, and moisture of this, there are engendered also, two other little coats, or cawls, which do protect and defend the Feature from superfluous and noisome things: as from the Terms retained, and stopped after conception, 
Two little coats or cawls engendered, which defend the Feature from hurt.  and also from other superfluities, which neither serve, nor are profitable to the nourishment, nor increase of the Feature, but do rather hurt and offend, yet nevertheless they are retained in the Matrix, between the cawls, named Secundae, even until the time of the birth, than they issue forth, a breach being made by themselves, or they are set at liberty, by the help of the Midwife.  
Therefore the second coat or call, 
The second coat or call is named Biles.  named of the Arabians, Biles, of the Grecians Allantoides, adjacent and lying near to the connexed and united parts of the Feature, encloseth and infoldeth all inferior things from the Navel, which call is wrinkled and somewhat pleated, not unlike to a pleated garment, into which the urine, and sweats do distil, and also other sharp, and eager humours, if any do flow, and issue from the nature and ripe Feature, and are detained there, even until the time of birth. For now, the Infants grown to greater maturity and ripeness, do not void and expel urine, by the urine-pipes and conduits, to the privy parts out of this vault, but by certain passages thorough the Navel. Therefore the Feature is fortified and defended from the urine, and other noisome humours, by that coat or infolder, lest he should be molested, and grieved with the acrimony and sharpness of them, or else gather some impurity, or uncleanness unto him.   

CHAP. FOUR Of the three faculties, disposing and governing the body, and of the spirit itself.  
NOw the Seeds, both of man and woman, being mingled, blended, and enclosed together, eftsoons the force or faculty, the power and might, I say, of the soul, essentially attributed to it, to perform and accomplish her actions in the body, doth appear and show forth itself, and beginneth to work conveniently almost in a threefold manner.  

The first faculty is natural.  The first faculty and virtue is natural, being the mover and foundation of the other faculties, common both to living Creatures, and to Plants. This, by and by, from the time of Generation, doth work, even until the perfection of that which is engendered, namely, by augmenting and nourishing. And it hath his place and seat in the Liver, and from thence is dispersed and sent abroad by veins into the whole body: But the operation of it at first appearance is found to be threefold. Thy altering, or changing faculty (the which some do call the immutative faculty) which first generally immuteth, and altereth the substance of the Seed, and also converteth and digesteth it, 
1. The altering or changing faculty.  from that which it was before, into the substance of the several parts, that every one of them may be distinctly composed and made: and particularly inclining again into that substance, by those mixed qualities, and elementary faculties, by heat and moisture effecteth and frameth the softer substance, such as flesh is in living Creatures, but in Plants, or Herbs, the flowers and the pith: by heat and dryness it frameth the heart is living Creatures; in Plants, or Herbs, is maketh the roots: by cold and moisture, in living Creatures, it maketh and works the hairs; in Plants, or Herbs, the leaves: also by cold and dryness, in living Creatures, it worketh and maketh sinews and bones; and in Plants, or Herbs, the rinds, barks, and wood. Afterward, the forming or fashioning faculty, 
2. The forming or fashioning faculty.  or virtue (which others call the Informative faculty) is that which formeth and fashioneth the matter which is changed, to the similitude and likeness of that from whence it drew his original and beginning, the parts like unto their first original, being severally disposed and ordered. By this virtue and faculty, the parts, which ought and should be hollow, as the guts, veins, arteries, and such like, are made hollow, and those parts which ought to be massy and solid, are in like manner form so. And in few words, it formeth all things, yea, the smallest of them particularly, and perfecteth the superfice, or uttermost face of every little particle, or diminutive portion, so that nothing remaineth idle, nothing also superfluous.  

The helping, or minstring faculties.  But to these principal faculties, belonging to natural force, in perfecting the living Creature, other helping, or rather ministering, faculties are added beside. The begetting, I say, or generative faculty, dilating and extending the thing engendered, into length, breadth, and profundity. The augmenting virtue also, which doth augment and increase the same by nutrition and nourishment, and doth complete, and accomplish it, even to his just augmentation and increase. So also there cometh to them, the nutritive and nursing faculty, which ministereth to the Feature, and cherrisheth the Feature in the womb, from the time that the seed is conceived, that it may suffice for the composing and ordaining of so many, 
To the nutritive faculty, four other aiding and helping faculties.  and so great parts of the living Creature. And to this last faculty and virtue, four other aiding and helping faculties, are said to approach. The attractive, which some call the appetitive faculty, which attracteth convenient nutriment and food to the several parts, by his force, as with an instrument; as for the nourishment of flesh, it attracteth the substance of blood, and for the aliment and nourishing of the brain, the substance of Phlegm, and so likewise in the other parts, working by his hot and dry faculty. The concocting or altering virtue, working by a hot and dry faculty and power, changeth and transmuteth the substance of the nutriment, and reduceth the nourishments of a divers nature, as it were, into one mass or lump. The retaining or retentive faculty, which retaineth and helpeth the pure nutriment (whereby that being digested is assimilated, made like, and is united to the particular members) using the help of coldness and dryness. The expelling or expulsive faculty, which by the help of moisture and coldness, doth necessarily expel and void superfluous things, neither agreeable or convenient to the quantity, nor quality of the parts, and therefore by no means to be assimilated and united to the parts.  

The second principal faculty is named Vital.  The second faculty and virtue which worketh principally in humane seed, is called Vital, and possesseth his seat and mansion in the heart. And that quickeneth and giveth life to the heart, from whom the vital Spirit by the Arteries annexed to it, doth proceed to the members, to be quickened and revived by the disposition of a natural faculty and virtue, by dilating and contracting the Heart and Arteries. By dilating and enlarging, I say, because the moving force and power which remaineth in the heart, doth dilate and spread abroad the motion of the heart itself, from the middle and Centre of it, into all the extreme and outward parts. But by contracting and knitting together, because the same force and faculty collecteth and contracteth again the motion of the heart from the extreme and outward parts, to the middle and Centre of it. We see both of them to be done and performed by the benefit of the lungs, which, like a pair of bellowes attracteth and draweth air to the heart by an Artery: 
The lungs like a pair of Bellowes attracts air to the heart.  that is conveied and diffused again from the same by the Arteries to other parts of the body. The same month the breast with a continual motion, the nerves and sinews being moved first of all. 
Aire most necessary for the mitigation of natural heat about the Heart.  Therefore this air is most necessary, both for the mitigation and assuagement of natural heat about the heart which is attracted from the cold air, to temperate and moderate immoderate and overmuch heat; especially, seeing it is manifest, 
The heart of so hot a constitution, that unless it be mitigated by air from the lungs, it would be suffocated and perish.  that the heart is of so strong a constitution, that it would quickly be suffocated and strangled by itself, and so perish, unless it should attract to it a cold temperament and mitigation every foot from the air by the lungs, of whose temperature the Animal Spirit is engendered, and is seated in the brain, as we will straightway declare, from whence all the nerves & sinews drawing their beginning, do descend down by the ridge-bone of the back, named in latin, Spina dorsi, and from thence afterward are distributed and divided into the body, and are also cherrished and preserved of their primary Animal Spirit, by the help of the vital spirit. Notwithstanding the same air attracted by breathing, 
The air attracted by the lungs, is by many means often corrupted.  by the labour and employment of the lungs, and passing into his vital spirit, by many means is also corrupted, as hath been often observed, I say, by the evil disposition of the brain, by the infection of the Liver, by the passion of the heart, by the corruption and rottenness of the Lungs, and such like infirmities; also by excessive corruption of the air outwardly approaching unto it: of which to speak much, for the present time, would both be besides the purpose, and also to no profit.  

The third faculty is named Animal, and is threefold.  The third faculty is Animal, which, as the Queen, doth possess the highest place, and obtaineth a seat in the brain. And the same is certainly found to be threefold: For, the first virtue of the same, 
1. The disposing and ordering faculty.  is the disposing and ordering faculty, which disposeth and ordereth the whole brain, and alone doth employ and busy it in his order. 
In what parts of the brain Imagination, Reason and Memory are seated.  For in the former part of it, it placeth and seateth Imagination, in the middle part, it scituateth Reason, and in the hinder part it setteth Memory; For whatsoever Fantasy hath conceived in the former little cell, cave, or ventricle, that it straightway transferreth and sendeth to the Senate and Councel-chamber of Reason, there, as it were, to be examined by judgement and determined: and whatsoever is here collected, and approved by judgement, that it sendeth and committeth to Memory, to be reserved (as it were, in a treasury or store-house) and to be directed, concerning his acts and effects. 
2. The Sensitive faculty.  The second virtue is the Sensitive faculty, the which although we know, that it is variable and divers, in respect of the senses, yet we may understand, that it is caused and effected in this manner. The Animal spirit (whose place of late we said to be in the brain) proceeding from the interior and inward little caves and ventricles of the brain, 
The Animal Spirit doth form and frame the senses.  by the mediation and assistance of certain subtle and slender sinews, doth form and frame the Senses, and by his virtue through the ministry and furtherance of the sinews, directeth and transposeth sight to the eyes, smelling to the nostrils, hearing to the ears, and tasting to the palate of the mouth, which senses we see only to be numbered and nominated of the senses of the head. The third is the Moving virtue, 
3. The Moving faculty.  engendered and bred in the brain; to whom it is said to be proper, to move and give motion: For as the Animal spirit disposeth and directeth the orders and properties of the senses, 
The Animal spirit directs the motions.  as is before declared, so by the benefit of the same faculty, the motions also are directed, by which the virtues and faculties of the Spirit are dilated, opened, and enlarged, and are likewise conveyed and sent abroad to the other members.  
But for the perfection, and compliment of all these virtues and faculties, Spirit is necessarily required, 
Spirit necessary for the perfection of the former faculties.  by whose benefit and continual motion, as well the senses, as the faculties, are instigated and provoked to perform and finish their faculties and actions. And they say, that the Spirit is a certain airy substance, which continually exciteth and stirreth up the powers and faculties of the body, to fulfil and accomplish their actions. And indeed, this Spirit is a certain subtle body, 
What spirit is.  engendered by the force of heat, because of blood flowing and streaming in the Liver, attracted and drawn by breathing and the Arteries, and afterward diffused by the veins to all the members, quickening the bodies, serving to promote and further motion, by the means and aid of the nerves and Muscles. But first this is directed and conduced to the Liver in this manner: Heat remaining in the blood, 
How natural spirit is engendered.  there is caused a certain boiling in the Liver, from whence a certain fume or vapour issueth and proceedeth forth, which eftsoons being purified, by the veins of the Liver is changed and transmuted into a certain airy substance, and is called Natural Spirit, which purifieth and clarifieth the blood, and afterward is sent and distributed to the particular and several members.  
Afterward the same Spirit is transferred and carried from the Liver by certain veins to the Heart, 
How vital spirit is engendered.  where by the motion of the parts of the Heart, and a mutual coagitation, it is made more pure, and is converted into a more subtle and finer Nature, and beginneth to be Vital and truly Spirit: because is diffuseth and spreadeth itself from the Heart by Arteries, to the members of the whole body, and doth augment and further the virtue of Natural Spirit.  
And again, 
How Animal spirit is engendered.  the same Spirit mounting and penetrating upward, from the Heart through Arteries, to the little caves and ventricles of the brain, is there more exactly laboured and refined, and is transmuted and altered into the essence and substance of the Animal Spirit, 
Animal Spirit most pure.  which is most pure of all, from whence straightway it is sent and conducted again by the organs and instruments of the senses, to corroborate and strengthen those senses in some measure. Although therefore it be the selfsame one Spirit, yet because of his diverse offices and functions in diverse parts, 
Why the Spirit is called Natural, Vital, Animal.  it is diversely taken and understood; as in the Liver it is named Natural, in the Heart Vital, and in the brain Animal.  
But we must not believe that this Spirit is the immortal soul infused into man of God, 
Whether the Spirit be the Soul.  but it is only the instrument, and, as it were, the Chariot of the same. 
The Spirit but the instrument or Chariot of the Soul.  For by the means alone of this Spirit, the soul is conjoined and united to the body: neither yet also is there any perfect exercise of the soul, without the ministry and service of this spirit, which thing might easily be proved, but that already, this discourse, concerning the faculties and Spirit, hath been overlong.   

CHAP. V Of the true Generation of the parts, and the increase of the Feature, according to the days and months.  
A little while after also a vein directed by the Navel, 
A twoforked vein engendered.  attracteth the grosser blood confused in the seed, fit and convenient for nourishment, whereby a twoforked vein is engendered according to the form of this Figure.  
And these veins do attract, suck, and draw unto them the hottest, the most subtle and purest blood, of which the heart is engendered in the membrane or skin of the heart, involving and lapping the same round about, named in Latin Pericardium, and the heart is fleshy, 
What the Heart is.  and of a gross substance, by nature, as is necessary for such a hot member. But the notable and great vein, Vena cava, spreading out himself, and penetrating into inward concavity, vault, or privie-chamber of the right side of the heart, deriveth and carrieth blood thither, for the nourishment of the heart. 
The unmoveable and still vein.  Also from the same branch of that vein in the same part of the heart; a certain other vein doth spring up, named of some the unmoving or still vein, in Latin, Vena immota, vel tranquilia, so named, because it doth not beat and move, as other pulsive moving veins of the heart do, named in Latin, Venae pulsatiles, but lieth hidden, being calm and still, ordained and destinated to this office, namely, 
The office of the unmoveable and still vein.  that it should conduct and convey blood digested in the Heart, unto the Lungs and Lights, which vein is environed and lapped about (for which cause it is named Vena arteriosa, an arteried vein) with two coats, like unto the Arteries. But in the concavity & hollow of the left part in the heart, a most great and notable pulsive or beating vein, 
Aorta.  called Aorta, doth spring up, diffusing and sending abroad vital and lively spirit by the blood of the heart, into all the pulsive and moving veins of the body. For as Vena cava is the original, fountain and spring of all the veins by which the body attracteth and draweth to it the whole nutriment of blood: Even so, from this great vein, Aorta, are derived all the pulsive, moving, and beating-veines, on every side dispersing & pouring forth vital spirit throughout the whole body. 
The heart the fountain of lively heat.  For the heart is the source and fountain of vital and lively heat, without which no living creature, no member can be cherrished.  
Under the great vein Aorta, even now spoken of, 
The Veyned Artery.  in the left cavity and vault of the heart, another vein as yet springeth forth, called in Latin Arteria venosa, the veined Artery. Although that truly be a pulsive and moving vein, and convey vital spirit, yet it hath only one coat, as those veins have which convey blood; and that is framed and ordained, that it may drive and transport cold air from the Lungs to the Heart to refrigerate, cool, and refresh it, and to temper and allay, the immoderate heat.  
But because veins do break forth from both the concavities and hollow cells of the Heart, 
The generation of the lungs.  and are implanted and inserted to the Lungs, the Lungs also form and framed by them. For a vein proceeding from the right cavity and hollow of the heart, proceedeth and bringeth forth most subtle and pure blood, which, the Fibraes, threads or hairs, being from thence afterward dispersed, is altered, changed and transmuted into the flesh of the Lungs.  
And from the great veins of the Heart and Liver, that is to say, Vena cava and Aorta, 
The breast, legs, and arms engendered.  the whole breast is engendered, and also the legs with the arms successively and in their due order.  
And the brain is so form, that it may be able to conceive, retain, and alter the natures, and qualities of all the vital, and lively spirits; From the brain also the beginnings both of Reason, 
The Original of Reason and the Senses.  and all the senses do proceed, and have their original: For as the veins derive their progeny from the Liver, and the Arteries from the Heart: 
The Original of the Nerves and Sinews.  So also the Nerves and Sinews being of a softer and milder nature, do spring and grow from the brain, not being hollow, after the manner of veins, but solid and massy. For indeed they are the first and principal instruments of all the senses, by which all the motions of the senses are duly caused and procured through vital and lively spirit.  
After the Nerves and Sinews, the Marrow of the backebone, 
The Marrow of the backebone.  (in Latin Spina dorsi) is engendered from the brain, not unlike to the nature of the brain, so that it may scant be called and termed Marrow, 
Not unlike to the nature of the brain.  both because it hath no similitude, nor likeness unto Marrow, and also because it doth not resemble the same in substance. 
What Marrow is.  For Marrow is a certain superfluity of the nutriment of the members proceeding from blood ordained and destinated to moisten and cherish the bones of the body: but the brain and Marrow of the backebone, or Spina dorsi, 
The Marrow of the backebone derived from the seed.  do draw and derive their original and primacy from the seed, not deputed or allotted to nourish other members, and to make them prosper in good plight, but that they should by themselves ordain and constitute private and particular parts of the body, for the motion, emolument and use of the senses, that from thence all other nerves and sinews may take their roots and beginnings. 
Many nerves do spring from the Marrow of the back bone.  For many nerves do spring from the Marrow of the backbone, or Spina dorsi, from which the body may have sense and motion, as it is evident, by the Vital and Animal faculty and virtue by good defence, as hath been declared in the former Chapters.  
Further, we must here note and consider, that of the seed are engendered Cartilages, or gristles, 
Of the seed a e Cartilages or gristles, bones, &c engendered.  bones, the coats of the veins of the Liver, and of the Arteries of the heart, the brain, with the nerves and sinews; again, the coats, and also both the other pannicles or cawls, and wrappers, and cover of the Feature. But of the proper and convenient blood of the Feature, 
Of the blood of the Feature the flesh is engendered: also the Heart, Liver, and lungs.  the flesh is engendered, and those things which are fleshy, as the Heart, Liver, and Lungs. And afterwards all these things do flourish, prosper, and are nourished with menstrual blood, a tracted and drawn by the little veins of the Navel, which veins are observed to attain to the Matrix, from the orifices or mouths of the veins. All which things are distinctly and orderly caused and brought to pass from the conception even unto the eighteenth day of the first Month, at which time it is called seed, but afterward it beginneth both to be called and to be a Feature, 
Feature.  which thing also some ancient Writers have comprehended in these Latin verses: 
Sex in lacte dies, ter sunt in sang vine trini;  
Bis seni carnem, ter seni membra figurant.   
Et aliter.  
Injectum semen sex primis certe diebus  
Est quasi lac: reliquisque no vem fit sanguis, at inde  
Consolidat duodena dies: bis nona deinceps  
Effigiat: tempusque sequens producit ad ortum.  
Talis enim praedicto tempore figura confit.  
Which verses, for the benefit of the unskilful in the Latin tongue, may thus be Englished.  
Six days to milk by proof, thrice three to blood convert the seed.  
Twice six soft flesh do form, thrice six do massive members breed.  
Or otherwise.  
The first six days, like milk, the fruitful seed  
Injected in the womb remaineth still;  
Then other nine, of milk red blood do breed,  
Twelve days turn blood to flesh by Nature's skill;  
Twice nine firm parts, the rest ripe birth do make,  
And so foregoing time doth form such shape.   

CHAP. VI Of the food of the Feature in the womb, with what nourishments it is nourished, and when it groweth to be an Infant.  
SO long as the Feature remaineth in the womb, it is nourished and cherrished with blood, attracted and drawn to it by the Navel: 
The Feature in the womb nourished 〈◊〉 with blood attracted to it by the Navel.  whereby it cometh to pass, that the Terms of women are stayed, and cease to issue forth, after the conception: For then the Feature beginneth to covet, and to attract unto it much blood. 
Three differences of menstruous blood after conception.  But the blood is discerned to have a threefold difference after the time of conception. The first and most pure part of it the Feature attracteth for his nourishment. The second and not so pure and thin, the Matrix forceth, and driveth upward to the breasts by certain veins, 
The breeding of milk.  where it is converted and changed into milk, and for that cause it is, that certain passages do bend and incline upward from the Matrix to the breasts, as in the book following shall appear in the anatomical demonstration. The third, the most gross and impure part of blood remaineth in the Matrix, and issueth and floweth forth with the Secundine, in the birth and after the birth. Thereby it is, 
Great affinity between milk and the terms.  that Hypocrates saith, that there is great affinity between the milk and the Terms, when as it happeneth that the milk is bred and made of them. Galen also, because of this matter, doth elegantly and excellently advertise us, that the Infant taketh and hath more from the mother, 
The Infant receiveth more from the mother than from the father.  than from the father; because first that the seeds are augmented and increased by the Terms, next because the Feature is nourished by them in the womb by and by; thirdly, because being borne, he is nourished with her milk: and even as any sprigs or slips have more from the earth than from the Plant, being, as it were, the Father, So Infants have more from their Mother. Hereby, he saith, it cometh to pass, that so much the more is retributed and yielded back again to the Mother, by how much the more they have given. 
The Infant being perfected in the womb the first month sendeth forth urine by the passages of the Navel, but the last month by the privy members.  But now the Infant being form and perfected in the womb, the first Month it voideth and sendeth forth urine by the passages of the Navel: but the last Month, that passage and conveyance being stopped and shut up, he voideth it by the privy members, as hath been before declared in the third Chapter, 
Nothing expelled by the fundament so long as the Infant is in the womb.  concerning the three coats or cawls. But by the Fundament so long as he is in the womb, he voideth and expelleth nothing at all, because he hath as yet attracted no nutriment by the mouth. 
The time of the life of the Infant.  After the forty and fift day, by the advertisement of Hypocrates, he taketh life, and with it the Soul infused into him from Heaven, by the judgement of many, so that then he beginneth to have sense and feeling. But at this time, although he be able to have sense and feeling, yet he wanteth motion, to wit, being as yet very tender and feeble; 
The time of moving.  but concerning the time of his moving, Hypocrates doth excellently instruct us in this wise. 
A rule to know the time of motion, and the time of the birth.  If you double the number of the days from the conception, you shall find out the time of motion; and the number of the time being tripled & accounted thrice, will declare the day of the birth: For example sake. 
An Example.  It the Infant should be form in forty five days, he will move and stir himself the nintieth day after, which is the middle day of the Infant lying in the womb; but in the ninth Month he will proceed, hasten, and come forth to the birth, although maiden-childrens, for the most part, are borne the tenth Month. And let these things suffice concerning the forming, growing, increase, and perfection of the Infant, in respect of the days and times.  
The end of the first Book.    

The second Book. Of the Matrix and parts thereof, also of the condition and state of the Infant in the womb, and of the care and duty to be observed of women with child.  

CHAP. I. How necessary a thing it is to insert and annex the Anatomy of the Matrix to this work.  
But because there is no difference in the bowels of the body of man and woman: 
No difference in the bowels of man and woman, but in the privities and seede-vessells.  except only in the privy parts, and in the Spermaticall or seed-vessells: we distinguish and divide them severally, as the intent of our Tractate requireth, and do propound to sight the Matrix with the Orifice, or mouth of the neck thereof, with the annexed Vrine-pipes, or water-conduits, and also the whole frame of the same to be viewed and seen in this Figure.  
But the Figure following doth demonstrate and show the womb, mother, or Matrix, with the neck cut from it, with the mouth or port-passages of the Matrix being closed and shut up, within the which the conceived seed is fashioned, form and detained, even unto the hour of the birth. The same Figure also doth in like sort shadow out the bladder cut from the neck; But we accounted it a superfluous thing, to mark and point out every several thing with Letters and Characters, because they are extant, and are to be seen every where in the books of those which have written of Anatomies.   

CHAP. II. Of the substance, form, qualities of the Matrix, and parts annexed.  
THe Matrix, mother, or womb, a member proper and peculiar to the Female sex, is made and framed of Nature, to be the receptacle and receiver of seed, in which it being conceived, is contained until it grow to the due form and shape of a body. 
The form of the Matrix.  The form of this is somewhat square, at length it is also round not unlike unto a bladder. 
The parts are two.  The parts of it are two; The first is the receptacle, concavity or hollow vault, 
1. The receptacle.  whose substance is full of sinews, having one coat of sinews, ligaments, and mixed flesh mingled together, and the substance is endowed with small sense or feeling, closed together with a strict, strait & narrow passage, greedy and desirous of receiving, altering and distributing that natural humour. That part is called the Matrix, Mother, Womb, or the Generative member, in which the seed is conceived and form; The passage and gate of this after conception, 
The passage of the womb after conception so closed that a needle cannot enter into it.  is so fast and firmly shut and closed together, that a needle cannot enter into it without violence and danger, which thing is a most certain argument and sign of conception: 
A certain sign of conception.  Also this passage or wombe-port is not opened, but in the conception, Carnall-copulation, birth, & issuing forth of the Terms. The latter part of it is called Cervix, or the neck, 
2. The Neck, or Cervix.  full of sinews, as it were, consisting of Cartilaginous or gristled flesh, yet not without fat, having a wrinkle in the upper part, and being of itself very sensible. That part is called the woman's privity or privie-passage, in the top of which there are two lips or brims, called the foreskinnes, in Latin Praeputia, by which the womb and secret parts are covered, fortified and defended against external air coming underneath. About the sound and bottom of this part, under the bone, named in Latin Os sacrum, the neck of the bladder and conduit of the water or urine is discerned to be, under which also lieth the great gut, named Colon. In the middle part of the neck of the Matrix, 
The Virgin Pannicle.  is the Virgin-pannicle or skin (not unlike unto a most slender racket) linked & woven together with many Fibraes or threads, which is corrupted by the loss and decay of Virginty. Some call it Eugion, 
Hymen.  Cento, and Hymen. Further in the same part, on the right and left side, two horns, as it were, do boss out, called the Ligaments or binder's of the Matrix with which it is bound, 
The Horns or Ligaments.  fastened, and basted, and also cleaveth, affixed to the backebone or Spina dorsi, on both parts. To those Ligaments, 
The testicles or stones.  or stay-bands, the testicles or stones are annexed and combined, by their nature, lesser and harder than those are which belong unto men. Moreover, both of them are environed and compassed about with white sinews, I say, seed-vessells, being both also compacted of Arteries. To these also small veins are united and affixed, derived and springing from the great vein Vena cava, diffused and dispersed into the Matrix by diverse branches to nourish and cherish the Feature in the womb, and to send forth the Flowers or Terms in their due season. 
The Kidneys.  The Kidneys do hang near the womb by certain Ligaments or binder's behind the backebone, or Spina dorsi, being of a hot and dry temperature, by the which all the wheyish and waterish humidity is attracted and drawn to be carried from the veins into the bladder, and also receiveth his colour and tincture, by them.  
The Paps or Dugs of a cold and moist quality, 
The Paps or Dugs.  intermingled and interlaced with Veins and Arteries, being not unlike unto a Sponge, consisting and composed of soft flesh, like unto the lungs; have power and faculty to transmute blood into a white colour, and to convert and turn it into milk. For as the Liver transmuteth the juice of the meat attracted unto it into blood: so the Dugs or Paps, 
The Dugs or Paps change the blood into milk.  altar and change the blood into milk. Further, two veins do descend from the Paps into the Matrix, which draw blood from thence, to be digested and turned into milk. Whereby it cometh to pass, the Infant being borne, the Terms due by and by mount and ascend up by these passages, and begin to change into milk, also the Dugs begin to swell, and are hardened, until they be made lank and soft with giving of suck.  
Because it doth not a little avail, 
The qualities of the Matrix.  to know the qualities and properties of the Matrix: you shall be able briefly to observe and perceive them by these marks and signs. It is hot in them, which have a swift pulse, much thirst, 
Signs to know when it is hot.  their urine of a very high colour, a love and desire to Venus, a speedy pleasure and delight, store and plenty of seed, the hairs curled, the Terms inclining to a yellowish colour, and not issuing out beyond the third day. It is cold in them which have a slow pulse, 
Signs to know when it is cold.  little thirst, their urine thin and white, no love or appetite to Venus, small store of seed, no pleasure or delight, a lazy sluggishness, few store of hairs, 
Signs to know when it is dry.  the Terms inclining to whiteness. It is dry in them which have a hard pulse, thin urine, the lips dry, small pleasure or delight in Venus, few Terms. It is moist in them which have a soft pulse, 
Signs to know when it is moist.  the urine thick, the lips moist and slippery, no pleasure. And in this manner simple qualities are known. Concerning compound and mixed properties, there is another judgement.   

CHAP. III. Of what great profit it is, to have an exact knowledge of this Tractate.  
I Would have the Reader, to be here diligently admonished, rightly to esteem & regard, of what great utility and profit it is, 

What more profitable than this knowledge, for preserving and recovering of health?  
What better, than to consider the end of our excellent and wonderful building?   to have an exquisite and exact knowledge of this Tractate. For what is more profitable than this knowledge and science, for preserving and recovering of health, and for the preservation and restauration of all the parts of the body? What will frame and instruct our minds better, than to have considered the end of so excellent and wonderful a building and workmanship? 
What more pleasant than to understand the artificial framing of our bodies?  What is more pleasant and beautiful, than to have understood the artificial framing and forming of our proper Nature and body, which we inhabit and continually abide in? Also the proportion of these parts considered, 
To be mindful of sobriety & temperance.  will command us to be mindful of sobriety and temperance, left that due concoction be not perfected and accomplished, they being filled more than is convenient. For when as the first digestion or concoction is diverted from the course of Nature, 
The first digestion being hindered, occasion of grievous diseases is offered.  by and by also the other fail and are frustrated: whereby it cometh to pass, that the humours being corrupted, and the blood infected, the body is burdened and surcharged, and occasion is offered for breeding of most great and grievous diseases: 
Instructions of temperance to be learned from the condition and situation of the generative members.  also the condition and situation of the Generative members and seed-vessells being so secret and hidden, with so many windings and turnings, what other thing do they yield unto us, than documents and instructions of temperancy? namely, that they serve only for propagating and increasing mankind, and for the alleviating and easing their bodies, and for preserving and maintaining health. Neither is it doubtful, for that same cause, naturally also the forces of mankind to be weakened and diminished, and further, that they are exceedingly decayed and debilitated through the immoderate use of these parts. What shall I say, that by the framing & building of these things diligently considered, 
By the admirable work manship of Nature, we are admonished of our duty.  and by the admirable Art and work-manship of Nature in perfecting man, we are also always admonished of our duty? that so much as lieth in us, we may carefully preserve those things, which Nature with so much business and labour hath hardly produced and brought forth: and also mindful of charity & love, we do not mutually rage's against those bodies, which we possess, procreated by Nature the common and general mother, the same compact and uniting together of one body of diverse members throughly pondered and considered, which Nature hath most excellently framed, contrived and jointed together with a strict band of a sociable law. And that which is most principal and chief of all, 
The artificial frame of our bodies should make us acknowledge the profound wisdom of God.  we are put in mind, to acknowledge and learn from such a cunning and artificial frame of our body, the most profound and deep wisdom of God, and his admirable goodness: also the end of our state and condition, that is to say, his glory, and our salvation, and always to utter and express our greatest gratuity and thankfulness to so great and wonderful a Workmaster, and Creator.   

CHAP. FOUR Of the Condition of the Infant in the womb, also of the care and duty belonging to women conceived with child.  
THe seed conceived even unto the forty and fift day, is changed into the due and perfect form and shape of the Infant: and then by the judgement of some learned men, is receiveth life, and therefore afterward ought not to be called a Feature, but an Infant, although as yet, 
When the conception is called an Infant.  by reason of his tender and feeble condition and state, he wanteth motion. For than he is most like to a tender flower and blossom of trees, which is easily cast down and dejected with any blast of wind and rain; 
Great heed to be taken by women with child of affrightments, immoderate joy, sorrow etc.  and for that cause there is need of very great caution and heed to be taken, that no peril and danger may happen to them which are with child by any manner of means, either by sudden fear, affrightments, by fire, lightning, thunder, with monstrous and hideous aspects and sights of men and beasts, by immoderate joy, sorrow and lamentation: or by untemperate exercise and motion of running, leaping, riding, or by surfeit or repletion by meat and drink: or that they being taken with any disease do not use sharp and violent medicines using the counsel of unskilful Physicians. Again, 
The wicked Art of old witches and harlots not to be used.  that they use not the wicked Arts and policies of old Witches and Harlots, for removing and punishing of whom, the care and charge ought most specially to belong unto the Magistrates, to wit, being the fathers of the people. For how many Virgins, how many Widdowes also ensnared and entangled with these Arts and devilish practices, 
Cruel murders committed by the devilish arts of witches.  have committed cruel and more than brutish murders of their tender Babes and Infants? But of many I will declare a few, which those pestilent and damnable wretches have used most freely thorough the whole world, the rest I will leave to the consideration of others, at least the mischievous practices of these being somewhat discovered. 
The arts and acts of Harlots and Witches.  When first being deflowered (and rob of their best jewel) they have perceived some alteration to be caused in them, as variable appetites, a loathing of their accustomed meat and drink, continual vomiting, dispositions to parbrake in the morning, passions and pains of the heart, swound, pains of the teeth: by and by instructed with evil Arts, they make the first experiments by lacing in themselves straight and hard, that they may extinguish and destroy the Feature conceived in the womb. 
They lace themselves very straight.  But when they perceive no help thereby, they assay and attempt greater matters, going by the instinct of the Devil, to some old Witch very skilful in curing these diseases, 
They go to some old Witch.  and famous by long experience, ask and questioning with them about the cure and remedy of the stopping of their Terms, desiring a medicine and counsel to procure them to issue: For they say, that they being stopped, do breed and bring those pains about the Midriff and thighs, and also to procure many vomits. 
The old witch adviseth them of means.  The old Witch not ignorant of the matter, willeth them to inquire for medicines of Apothecaries, also to gather some herbs in a certain place, willing and advising them, that they use them in Wine, that they take the vapour of some, that they put some of them in their shoes, that with some boiled in water they wash their feet and legs morning and evening: also that they drink of the docoction of some of them morning and evening. But when this cure and remedy doth not profit, she willeth them to open the veins in the feet, 
The opening of the veins in the feet destroyeth that which is conceived in the womb.  which being done, that perisheth by and by which was conceived in the womb. Sometime Fathers, Masters, and Mistresses of the house observing and marking this thing, and also some other beside, and conjecturing, as the matter is indeed, 
Their precences.  straightway they pretend and make a show that they are troubled with wring and gripings in the belly, with pains of the breast and head, and do shadow and dissemble the truth of the matter. But the issue of their terms returning, when they know they are free and delivered from the Feature, 
These murdering arts imparted to others.  they impart and communicate likewise those murdering arts and cruel practices to others, that thereby many murders of silly Infants are committed. Besides, also many Midwives, and also Surgeons, and unskilful Physicians, sometimes over-credulous, do counsel & advise such things to great evil and mischief. But it is the part and office of a godly and religious Magistrate both to observe & prevent all these things. Now let us return to the matter.  

The motion of the Infant in the womb.  After the third and fourth month from the conception, the Infant doth begin to move and stir himself in the womb, and somewhat to display and stretch out himself, and also to enlarge and amplify his narrow little Cottage, whereby it cometh to pass, that the womb beginneth to swell, and to be amplified and extended into length, 
How the Infant about the time of the birth is disposed.  breadth, and profundity. But about or towards the time of the birth, the Infant inclineth and boweth downward, with the face toward the knees, draweth both his legs to him, casteth and throweth both his hands above his knees, his nostrils being placed in the midst, being rolled and wrapped together on a heap, in manner of a Globe, with his former part looking on the back of his mother, but turning his hinder part to the belly of his mother. And although some Anatomists do think otherwise, notwithstanding we find it so by often experience, and set it forth to be viewed in this annexed Figure.   

CHAP. V How the Infant is conditioned and in what state he is, the fift, sixth, seventh and eight Month, and also the difference of the Sex and forms.  
AFter the third and fourth Month, the Infant useth more plentiful, and copious nourishment, and doth prosper, 〈◊〉, and increase more and more with it, until 〈◊〉 time of birth and deliverance shall come 〈◊〉 we must know, 
The Infant home the sixth month cannot live.  when he shall be born 〈…〉 not able to retain life 〈…〉 (although he be distinctly and propound 〈◊〉 form) yet he hath not attained to his just perfection. But if he be borne the seventh month, 
Why the Infant borne the seventh month may live.  he shall live most easily, because he is perfect enough then. But that they which are borne in the eight month, are most seldom able to live, when some borne in the seventh month, do, for the most part, remain alive, doth come to pass, not without good reason. For in the seventh month, the Infant is always moved to the birth, at which time, if he shall be of that force and strength, he cometh forth to the birth; If he be not, he remaineth in the womb, until he shall be able and strong enough, that is to say, the other two months. If after that motion of the seventh month he proceed not to birth, he removeth himself from thence into another place of the womb, & is so debilitated & effeeblished by that moving, 
The Infant borne the eight month cannot live.  that if he come forth to birth the eight month following, he cannot live at all, because of that motion. For neither is the Infant weakened with this moving alone, but with a double motion even unto death. First, 
Two deadly motions of Infants.  when he is borne the eight month after his moving in the seventh, as we said of late. Next, because (in respect of the Planets) every seventh month bringeth forth a motion hurtful and dangerous to any Feature. The Sun, I say, at that time remaining in an opposite Sign, and because the eight month is proper to Saturn, an enemy of all things which receive life.  
Also we must know, 
The difference of sex, and the cause thereof.  that male-childrens are conceived in the right side of the Matrix by plentiful seed, issuing out of the right testicle or stone of the man: but female-childrens in the left side, by the seed of the left testicle. For the right side, because of the Liver, is hotter, but the left side is colder. But principally the more copious and plentiful heat is a cause of engendering and procreating of male-childrens.  

The similitude of form with the parents, is from the power of the seed.  That also children do sometimes answer and agree to their parents in likeness of form, that thing is caused by the virtue and power of the seed, that the Infant is most like to him or her in form and shape, whose seed doth most exceed and excel in power and virtue. But in this case, 
Motion of the stars supposed a cause.  the motion of the Stars is supposed to prevail some thing, that when the seed is conceived under good aspects of the Planets, this causeth an excellent shape; but when it is conceived under evil aspects, in like case it procureth an ugly shape. And so much hitherto.   

CHAP. VI Of certain Precepts very necessary for women conceived with child, even to the hour of the birth, by the reason of diverse chances.  
HEreafter we will give some wholesome and necessary Precepts to women conceived with child, by which, being instructed, they may certainly know how they may behave and use themselves from their conception, even to the birth and deliverance, that no danger may happen to them, or they cause a hard and painful birth to themselves by the neglect of the Precepts. Before all things, 
1. To be merry and cheerful, not pined with care.  let them be of a merry heart, let them not be wasted and pined with mourning and cares, let them give their endeavour to moderate joys and sports; For these things do both exhilarate and cheer up the Infant, and stir up all the faculties of the Feature, and do strengthen and comfort him in his parts and members, as is manifest in the third Chapter.  
Further, 
2.  let them abstain and forbear from all violent motion and hard & painful labours, 
To abstain from violent motion and painful labour, etc.  and let them use moderate exercise, let them not leap, or rise up suddenly, let them not run also, neither dance nor ride, neither let them lace or gird in themselves hard or strait, or lift up any heavy burden with their hands. Sleep especially is convenient.  

3. To take heed of sharp and cold winds, great heat, etc.  Again, let them take heed of cold and sharp winds, great heat, anger, perturbations of the mind, fears and terrors, immoderate Venus, and all intemperance of eating and drinking. Let the diet and food of women with child, 
4. To be moderate in diet.  be frugal and moderate, let them abstain from crude, raw, and gross meats: to wit, Lentils, Beans, Milium, Beef, salt and fried, fruits, milk, cheese, and such like. But let them use Chickens, Eggs, diverse sorts of Pottages, Birds, Mutton and Veal, It will be good sometime to use Cinamome and Nutmeg, with Sugar. Let reasonable white Wide serve for their drink.  

5. Not to let blood the first four months, nor to use boxing-glasses.  The first four months from the conception (by the counsel of Hypocrates) let them not open any vein, let them also abstain from boxing glasses, or boxing, let them take no Pills, or purge, without the counsel of an expert and skilful Physician; for that time the Ligaments and binder's of the Feature, are as yet tender and weak, and therefore the Feature is easily destroyed, and nourishment is substracted and drawn from him.  
But if it shall happen that they be bound and cannot got orderly to stool, 
6. To make the body soluble being bound.  let them take spinach seasoned with store of Butter, also Lettuce made tender with Water, with Salt, Wine, and Vinegar. But if those things will not relax and unloose the belly, let them use Suppositors, confected and made of Hony and the yolk of an Egg, or with Venice-soape. But if the constipation and binding shall be so great, that this remedy will not profit, let them by the advice of a skilful Physician, use a potion of the decoction of the leaves of Sena, together with Cassia newly extracted and drawn, which the Physician shall minister, more or less, according to the quality of the constipation or costiveness.  
And if they shall conceive with grievous Symptoms and accidents, 
7. If after conception there happen swooning and fainting, what to do.  and after the conception shall suffer swoning and fainting continually, let them drink Sorrell-water, and Rose-water warmed, tempered with Cinnamon and little Rundells' or Cakes, named Manus Christi, or Diamargariton. Or the water of Roses and bugloss, being tempered with a little Cinnamon, Cloves, and Saffron beaten to powder: shall be laid upon the breast in a cloth once or twice doubled together, dipped and steeped in that water.  

If they think they shall be delivered before their time through some accident, what to do.  But if they think they shall be delivered before the time, as in the seventh month, or some other immature and unseasonable time, and shall already feel the dolours and pains of their labour to be moved and stirred up, either through some immoderate exercise, or constipation and hard binding of the belly, or by an Ague, or some other disease; let her receive a Fume or Suffumigation of Frankincense upon the coals. For the doing of this will greatly strengthen the Matrix and the Infant. Afterward, let her bathe the outwards parts with Allome, Galls, Comfrey decocted and sodden in Rainwater, Wine, and Vinegar. And if they shall be weak and feeble by swooning, let them take Diamargariton, or Manus Christi, after the same manner as we spoke before.  
But if a disposition to vomiting shall creep upon them, 
If there happens a disposition to vomit, or want of digestion, what to do.  or that they cannot digest the meat which they have taken, let them use this syrup: Take of the syrup of Pomegranates one ounce and a half, Musk, Lignum Aloes, of each one scruple, cinnamon one scruple and a half, temper and commix them with three ounces of water of Sorrell, and make a draught of it for them to drink. Let them drink this syrup every day when they are fasting, being well warmed: Also for the strengthening and comforting of the stomach, let them use these Roundells or Trochiskes: Take of the confection Diambra, morning and evening, and also after meat. 
To strengthen and comfort the stomach.  Also let them lay this Plaster following upon the mouth of the stomach. Take Mastic, cinnamon, red Roses, Sage, Mint, Baulaustium, or the flowers of Pomegranates, of each one ounce and a half, Oil of Quinces, of Turpentine a sufficient quantity; make a Plaster, of which take so much as may suffice to spread, upon a piece of Leather, the breadth and form of a stomack-plaister, termed Seutum, which may be covered with silk: Or let them use this Unguent or Ointment. Take Mastic, white Frankincense, Mints, of each a little quantity, let them temper every one of them beaten to powder with common oil, and therewith anoint well the mouth of the stomach.  

10. If they shall have their Terms come down, what to do.  But if in the time of childbearing they shall have the Terms to come down, they shall prepare sweet milk in which a piece or gad of steel red hot hath been extinguished and quenched, they shall drink of it, they shall eat of it, they shall make Pottage and Sops with it. Also they may sweat using these things. Take of the greater Plantain, Inula campana, Cinquefoil, or Five-finger grass, Culvers or Pigeons dung, the stalks of Beans and Oats, of each one handful; let them all be let decocted in water together, and let sweatings be provoked by sitting in a bathe of them.  

11. Women that are seldom delivered at the due time, what to do.  There are also many women, which are seldom delivered at the due time, but too soon, and before the time: let them when the are conceived with child, prepare and make baths for their feet and legs, in which let them sit daily one hour before supper, and again three hours together after supper.  
Take Saxifrage, Camomile, Salt, Dill, of each a handful: Also they may use this Electuary, in the morning, and when they go to bed. Take Electuarium laetificans mixed and tempered with Been, white & red, beaten to powder. But especially this thing (which is known by much experience) shall greatly profit.  
Take the little skins extracted and drawn out of stomaches of Hens, and let them take them beaten to fine powder for a few days in the morning fasting with Wine, the weight of a French-crown. And these, truly, are general precepts, fit and convenient for many accidents and changes, that it may be certainly evident and apparent to every one, how they ought to carry and demean themselves from the conception even until the time of the birth, the knowledge of the which is not so profitable, as the use is necessary.  
The end of the second Book.    

The third Book. Of the birth, and all manner of remedies, which may concern women in time of childbirth, and also their Infants.  

CHAP. I. Of the due and lawful time of the birth, and of the form and manner of it: and also of the pains and dolours of women in time of their travel and labour.  
NOw the ninth Month being instant, the nourishment of the Infant beginneth to fail in the womb, and not to be sufficient, 
The Infant being great, and wanting nourishment, moveth with great violence in the womb.  because of the greatness of the Infant, to which he is grown unto. For now being great, he needeth much nutriment and food; which, because he cannot sufficiently attract and draw unto him by the small veins, and likewise by the Navel, he is moved with great force and violence in the womb: 
He breaketh the ligaments.  so that he breaketh asunder the Ligaments or binder's, the small veins with the coats or call, in which he is wrapped & enfolded, I say, the Secundine with the other two coats or wrappers, of which it hath been spoken before; and doth prepare & unloose himself to the birth, after the manner of this figure.  

What the pains of the birth are.  By this declaration & appearance, Midwives and other women which are present with pregnant and labouring women, may mark and observe the true and proper pains, passions and throngs of child birth: which indeed are no other thing, but the violence and struggle of the Infant being come to perfection, with which he is driven, tossed and rolled hither and thither, and striveth downward to the lower parts, that he might have passage to come forth into the light. For the membranes or cawls being broken by his striving & violence, and the Matrix being disclosed and opened, the humours do begin to flow abroad, from which the Infant being freed and delivered; by and by feeleth the air, and through desire of this life is rolled towards the out-passage of the Matrix, 
A natural birth.  his head turned towards the mouth and entrance of the Matrix. And this is the form and manner of a legitimate and most natural birth, if first the head proceed forth, the hands stretched downwards by the sides, and laid upon the hips, as the present Figure adjoined doth show and express. But the birth is said to be unnatural, if any of these conditions and properties shall be wanting. 
The Midwife to be provided of convenient things.  Wherefore the Midwife shall have a diligent care, that she be furnished and provided timely and speedily to receive any birth, with a convenient Stool or Chair, with a Knife, Sponge, binder's, and with oil of Lilies warmed, with which she may profitably anoint both the womb of the labouring woman, and her own hands.   

CHAP. II. Of the Office of Midwives, and of the apt and fit form and fashion of their Stool or Chair.  

The office of Midwives.  But what the Office of Midwives is, in the time of birth, and how the action may proceed, we will now declare. First, let the Midwife know the time, and observe the true pains and dolours, also let her comfort and cheer up the labouring woman, and let her cheerfully exhort her to obey her Precepts and admonitions. Likewise let her give good exhortations to other women being present, especially to pour forth devout prayers to God, afterward to do their duties at once, as well as they are able. Which done, let her bring the labouring woman to her Stool, which ought to be prepared in this fashion.  
The Navel being cut, and the child washed, 
The Navel to be sprinkled with powder.  his Navel being dry must be strewed and sprinkled with powder compounded of Bolearmeniacke, Sanguis Draconis and Myrrh, and to be pressed down with a double cloth laid upon it. For this doth remedy a Flux of blood, and other chances.   

CHAP. III. Of certain natural Precepts and Medicines, furthering and easing the slowness and difficulty of the birth.  
BEcause here we will discourse of removing the impediments of the birth: we must consider first of all, that the birth is hindered two manner of ways, 
The birth hindered two ways.  naturally and unnaturally. When it shall happen to be hindered unnaturally, we must proceed according to the Precepts and Rules delivered in the fourth Book following. But when it is hindered naturally, we must use the Precepts delivered and set down in this Chapter. Before all things, let the Midwife be so skilful of the matter, that so much as lieth in her power, she may conveniently and readily decline and avoid all impediments and hindrances of the birth. 
If the birth be hindered by the dryness or straightness of the neck of the Matrix, what to do.  But if it shall happen that the birth is hindered by siceity, dryness, or straightness of the neck or privy passages of the Matrix, a little quantity of sneesing-powder and Pepper is to be blown into the nostrils of the labourig-woman with a quill; also her mouth is to be kept close, and her breath to be kept in, and sternutation or sneefing is to be provoked, whereby the breath being driven downward, may thrust and depress the Infant to the neither most parts. Which effect is also caused by these things following: The herb Bursa pastoris beaten to powder, and taken in Wine or broth of Cicers, will greatly prevail. Also a spoonful of Honey taken with twice as much warm water: Also the milk of another woman mixed and tempered with the leaves of Mugwoort or Mother wort laid warm upon the Navel: Also oil of Bay taken in warm water, or broth of Cicers: Also two grains of Pepper being taken, do both force and drive forward the birth, and also the Secundine. Our medicine, which we most especially use, the birth being hindered, and pains of travelling failing and slaking, is this: Take of the Trochiskes of Myrrh one ounce, Saffron ten grains, cinnamon one scruple, mingle them with two ounces of the water of Mugwoort or Peniroyall, and make one draught of it.  
Let the labouring-woman take this draught warm, which being taken, 
A Potion.  let her return to bed again about the space of an hour, until feeling the force of this Potion her pangs and pains stirred up again, she rising up return to her labour and travel. But if this will not profit nor do any good, and the Infant having put forth his head to the birth first, do as yet stick and do not proceed forward: by and by seven of these Pills are to be given her, which being taken, let her rest again a little.  
Take of the Gum Bdellium, Myrrh, 
Pills.  of the seed of Savine, Storax liquida, that is, Stactes, Castoreum, Agaricum, of each half a scruple, Diagridion six grains, temper them with the pulp of Cassia newly extracted as much as may suffice and make Pills of them as big as a Pease. Both these medicines procuring a speedy birth, are approved almost of all skilful Physicians, and are in use: 
A Pessary.  Also we shall use this Pessary, which you shall make the length and breadth of a finger of pure wool, and shall cover it over with silk, which you shall orderly use dipped in the juice of Rue, or herb. Grace, in which Scamonie is dissolved. There are some which hang the jasper-stone, or the stone called lapis Aquilinus on the left hip. If these things after trial take no effect, let the child bearing woman exercise herself by going a little; afterward let her use this bath or fomentation, 
A .  the bath, I say, reaching up so high, that it may come over her belly: Take Marish-Mallowes, the herb and root, six handfuls of other Mallows, Camomile, Melilot, Parsley, of each four handfuls, Lineseed, Fenegreke, of each two pound, Bayleaves, Lavender-leaves, of each two handfuls; let all these things be boiled in water, in which let the labouring woman sit, or sometimes apply Sponges dipped in the same warm to her belly and back. The which being done sufficiently, let her be cherrished with warm clothes, and being brought to her bed, let her be anointed with this ointment: Take of the oil of sweet Almonds, Hen's grease, 
An Unguent.  oil of Lilies, of Mucilage, of Marish-Mallowes, of each half an ounce; temper them with a sufficient quantity of wax, and make an ointment. These things will prevail to expel and drive forth the Secundines, as we will teach in the Chapter following; This being done, you shall give her a sop or morsel sodden with the yolk of two Eggs in old wine; these sorts of things commixed and tempered with them. Take Cinamome half an ounce, the rinds of Cassia (or rather so much the more Cinamome in stead of Cassia, because the Druggist's often sell that which is not good) Saffron half a scruple, Savine, Betony, Maiden hair, Dittany, Fenegreke, Bay-berries, Mints, of each one ounce, of the bone found in the heart of a Hart, Pearls prepared, of each half a scruple, mix them with Sugar, 
If the Secundine come forth first and hinder the passage of the Infant, what to do.  and make a powder of them somewhat gross. But if the Secundine or afterbirth come forth before the child, and hinder and let the passage of the Infant, that shall be cut off, but the Navel must be bound up, and this Pessary following must be conveyed into the neck or privy passage of the Matrix. Take of Marish-Mallowes with the roots two handfuls, of Mother, or Mugwoort on handful, of Rue, or herbgrace one ounce & a half, Fenegreke, Lineseed, of each one ounce, ten Figs; temper them together, and make a decoction with a sufficient quantity of water, to which being throughly strained, add these things: oil of Lilies, oil of linseed, of both two ounces, Musk one grain.  
Let the Pessary being moistened in the decoction, be conveyed into the neck of the Matrix: Let her also by and by use this Electuary: 
An Electuary.  Take Myrrh, Castoreum, Calamus aromaticus two ounces, cinnamon one ounce, of Saffron half a scruple, Mace, Savine, of each one scruple, of clarified Honey half a pound. Confect and make the Electuary with the water of Balm and Mugwoort, in which are decocted Fenegreke, Lineseed, juniper-berries, of each one spoonful.  
Further, when the labouring woman shall be weakened & effeeblished by these impediments, you must give her in her broth to comfort and strengthen her, the Species or sorts of the Electuary, named Laetificans, or Manus Christi Pearled, or Diamargariton.   

CHAP. FOUR How the Secundines, or after-burden may have an easy passage, if it stay behind.  
THe Secundines, or afterbirth, 
The causes of the secundines being hindered.  the Infant being borne, may be stopped and hindered by many means. First, by the debility and weakness of the Matrix, which happeneth by the violence of the child, and by his frequent and often moving: also by the difficulty and hardness of the birth: and also by the continual stretching and restriction or closing together of the Matrix, by which it is so weakened and feeblished, that her strength and power (which otherwise by nature it is wont) it cannot expel the Secundines. Next if the Secundines being entangled, tied, or remain affixed within the Matrix, which thing often cometh to pass through abundance of superfluous humour detained in the womb, by which abundance, the Secundines or afterbirth are easily glued and cleave to the Matrix, molested and grieved with these humours. These Secundines or infolders of the infant, shall be by no other means unloosed and expulsed, than by the hand of the Midwife, being conveyed inwardly. Thirdly, they are stopped, if, the child being borne, by and by all the waters are flown away which are in the Matrix, of which the Secundines being destitute are exiccated and dried; and also the Matrix, the neck or privy passage thereof are made more rough, because of that siccity and dryness. For those waters must make the way slippery both for the Infant, and the Secundines. Wherefore these waters being slipped away, the womb shall be anointed with oils and juices within and without. Fourthly, they are hindered when the mouth of the Matrix doth swell because of the anguish & pains of the birth, as it often falleth out, unless this evil be declined and prevented by diligent and provident care. Fifthly, when in the first birth the mouth or port-passage of the Matrix, is as yet over-straight and narrow. And for that same cause, when the women shall be gross and fat, 
Women gross and fat delivered with more pain.  they are more painfully and hardly delivered of the child and Secundines. Therefore whensoever they shall be stopped, and linger somewhat behind by any cause whatsoever, the Midwife shall employ all her labour and diligence that she may procure them to proceed forth, and to have a free passage. 
Suffocation of the Matrix.  For the retention of them doth cause suffocation and choking of the Matrix, and engendereth many evils. For when as the second-birth shall be detained and kept within, it beginneth soon to putrefy and rot, whereby an evil, stinking, pestiferous fume, and vapour, will ascend upward to the stomach, heart, and Midriff, and consequently to the brain: by which pains of the head, and of the parts about the heart, fainting of the spirits, many swound and cold sweats do ensue, so that danger of death, also the two deadly diseases, named the Apoplexy (which is a sudden benumbing of the senses) and the Epilepsy or Falling sickness, are continually to be feared. 
The Apoplexy and Epilepsy to be feared.  For the Matrix cannot corrupt in the body without most dangerous evil. But the while the Secundine is retained and stopped, the women are to be refreshed and cherrished with convenient meat and drink, 
How the Secundines are to be expelled.  and strength is to be added to them, I say, with sops, decocted with the yolks only of Eggs and old wine, with Sugar, sprinkled with Saffron and cinnamon; or with broths made of Capons, or Hens, in like manner seasoned with Cinnamon and Saffron. 
Fumes.  Afterward let there be made fumes to be received into the womb over the coals, of Saffron not beaten, Castoreum, Myrrh, cinnamon, of every one of them the weight of one or two Beans. But let the labouring-woman be closely covered underneath, that the perfume may come only to the Matrix. Let this thing be done until the fume do fail made of those particulars. 
Elleborus, or sneesing powder to be blown into the nostrils,  Afterward a little of Elleborus, or some other powder, causing sneesing, is to be blown into her nostrils, her mouth is to be kept close, her breath to be held in, and sneesing and sternutation to be provoked, as we have before declared. But if neither these things do drive it forth, you shall give her Cassia (or cinnamon rather) the weight of a nut, Saffron, and the cinnamon, the bigness of two Beans beaten to powder, to be drunk in broth made of red Cicers. But this not succeeding, nor taking effect, give to her the draught warm described before in the third Chapter, after the taking of the which, 
Elleborus and Opoponax to be used.  when she hath rested a little, let a little of Elleborus and Opoponax wrapped in pure wool, be conveyed into the neck or prive passage of the Matrix, and without all doubt she shall be speedily delivered of the afterbirth. 
It expelleth dead children.  For this is of so great virtue and efficacy, that it forcibly expelleth dead children also, with the Secundines. In this case also it will not a little profit to anoint the Matrix, for expelling and driving forth the Secundines, or second-birth, with the ointment named Vnguentum Basilicum. If none of these things shall expel it, and there shall be such great danger that it is to be despaired of the life of the labouring woman, 
Pills.  her husband or kinsfolks consenting, give her seven Pills of this description following, which being taken, let her lie down on her bed, until the virtue of them shall provoke and stir up fresh pains and labours, and shall begin to expel and send forth the Secundine. For these are of such great power and virtue, that they are able to expel a dead child and the Secundines also at once. 
Nothing to be done without the counsel of a skilful Physician.  Yet for all that, let nothing be done without the counsel of a skilful Physician. Take Castoreum, Myrrh, Storax liquida, of each one scruple, the rind of Cassia (or rather Cinamome) Aristolochia rotunda, sent from Lions, of each half a scruple, Agaricum, half an ounce, Diagridion six grains, Saffron, Siler montanum, Savine, of each three grains, Opium Thebaicum, Assa foetida, of each one grain; Commix and temper them with Cassia extracted, so much as sufficeth, and make it into the form of Pills like unto Pease. And let her take seven of these with the water of Peniroyall or Mugwoort: 
A Plaster.  Also this plaster, if there shall be need, may be laid upon her Navel, to be prepared in this manner. Take of Colocynthis decocted in water one part, and as much of the juice of Rue, or herbe-Grace, to which you shall mingle Myrrh, Lineseed, Fenegreke, Barley-meal, of each a spoonful, let them all be sodden and decocted together. And let the Plaster confected and compounded of these things, be laid upon the whole belly, from the Navel even to the Secrets. This hath been sometime tried and proved, yet it shall not rashly be used without the counsel of an expert and skilful Physician; 
Not to be rashly used.  And let these things be spoken, concerning the bringing forth of the Secundine, or afterbirth.   

CHAP. V Of the usage and ordering of the woman in childbed, and of the Infant being newly borne.  
THe mother being delivered of her child, 
The care that ought to be had of the mother by and by after her deliverance.  and afterbirth, let the Midwife take a clean Sponge dipped in warm water, and gently bathe and wash her, as yet sitting on her stool, where there is need, and if any of the Matrix doth hang and appear outwardly, let her anoint it with warm oils, of Roses, Violets, or Camomile, and let her direct and reduce it again being cherrished with warm clothes into her proper place, which being done, let the child-delivered-woman be brought to her bed, where the place and room may be temperate, there let her lie on her back, let her stretch out her legs, and hold them wide abroad, so much as shall be convenient, the other part of her body being so upright, that she may rather seem to sit, than to lie down, because by that means, if any superfluous matter doth remain, it may more commodiously pass away. But if in the first days the issuing of her Flowers shall cease oversoone, as it often chanceth, 
The flux of the Flowers to be provoked.  than powder of Elleborus or Pepper, shall be blown into her nostrils, every day once or twice, for to move and provoke the flux of the Flowers, as necessity shall seem to require. 
If too abundant to be stayed.  But if the flux be too vehement, and more abundant than it should, and that the childe-bringing-woman is weakened and feeblished by it, let her rest much, and use dry meats, to wit, Hens and Capons boiled and roasted, and also any meats fried in a Frying-pan: Let her abstain from all liquid and moist meats, for by these the Terms will issue forth more abundantly: Let her also use the confection named Diatriasandalon, for that doth both comfort and bind, a little morsel of it taken now and then: Or if you think good, let her use this commixtion of powders, with bread toasted upon the coals, and steeped in sweet wine. Take of the species Dianthos, Diapliris, Diamargariton, Diacarophylon, Diagalanga, Diatriasandalon, of each half an ounce, Diamuscum, Diambra, of each half a scruple, Sugar so much as sufficeth; mix them and make a powder (or as the Apothecary's name it) Tragema, and let it be kept in a little box or pot.  
Now many say, that the child being washed and wrapped in his swadling-clothes, before he suck the breasts, or take any meat, must be laid by his mother, lying in her bed, 
The child to be laid on the left side of the mother near the heart; whereby the diseases of the child may be attracted to the mother.  on the left side, near the heart first of all: For they think (as they are persuaded) that the mother doth attract and draw to her all the diseases from the child, and that she doth expel and void again by the flux and issue of her womb, what evil soever she hath attracted, without any hurt to herself; for they think this thing doth preserve the child from the Falling-sickness and the Leprosy, through his whole life. They would have this to be done every day one hour, while he abstaineth from meat and milk. 
Red Corals prepared, to be used.  But at that time oftentimes red Corals prepared, mixed with Sugar and fresh Butter are to be put into the mouth of the child, because they also do preserve the Infant from the aforesaid diseases continually. 
Red Coral & the seeds of Peony to be hanged about the neck and arms.  Let also red Coral, and the seeds of Pionie be hanged upon his neck and arms, for they do strengthen, comfort, and also make the child merry and lively. And so much also concerning the first care and usage of a woman lately delivered, and her child after the birth.   

CHAP. VI How, and with what instruments children sticking in the womb, and being dead, are to be brought forth.  
FOrasmuch as the parts of the Matrix are two, of which both do consist of sinews, wrinkled flesh, and gross thickness (as we have mentioned in the third Chapter before) we must know, that the inward part of it (whose port or entrance, is almost unsensible and most straight, neither is opened at any time, but in the act of Generation, issuing of the Terms, and in the birth) is able to abide and admit so great a dilatation and enlargement, that it sufficeth to afford free passage to an Infant to come forth out of the womb, if the birth shall be natural, without any detriment or hurt to the child or mother. But when the Infant of himself can neither find nor open this way (as at other times by Nature he is wont) because of the restriction and straightness of the privie-passage, and because the vaults and caves of the same are stopped: then let the Midwife convey her fingers in, her hands being anointed, and let her dilate, amplify, and enlarge that strictness and narrowness, as conveniently as she can, in breadth only, but not in length at all, lest the ligaments and holder's of the Matrix be broken, 
The precipitation or falling down of the Matrix.  and the precipitation and sudden falling down of the Matrix do follow, being a disease uncurable, I say, the perverting and disordering of the same, with the process and coming forth of the neck of the Matrix. Therefore let the Midwife in dilating and opening the inward part, move it forward, that the head of the Infant which is nearest, may put itself forth from thence, and may proceed and come forth into the utter part, to wit, the neck of the Matrix. For the dilatation and opening of the inward part, now spoken of, can neither hurt or endamage the mother nor the babe, because Nature herself, doth in an easy birth amplify and extend the same, and also after the birth shut and close the same together again. But if the child cannot proceed forth for the straightness and narrowness of the other part, that is to say, of the neck, but stick there with his head, the other part of his body remaining as yet in the inward receptacle, or seede-plot (which thing seldom happeneth, when he cometh forth rightly) than we must know, that the port-passage, or outward gate, that is to say, the secrets may be more extended, dilated & enlarged, and that they may better endure all the difficulties of the birth, than the inward receptacle or vault, and therefore let the midwife also amplify & open that gate or entrance again according to the quality of the matter, that the whole Infant may come forth to the birth.  
And if these aforesaid things shall afford no succour, so that the Infant remaineth as yet fixed and unmovable, and all the pains and pangs of the birth shall cease, than the labouring-woman shall be brought to her bed again and be helped with these medicines following, which are such, 
Medicines able to expel dead children, the Secundines, abortives, the false conceptions Molae.  that they are able to expel and drive forth both dead children, the Secundines retained behind, and also abortives, and the false conceptions, named Molae. First of all, as soon as she shall be brought to her bed, let her take this potion warm, and that being taken, let her abstain from all other meat, and let her rest quietly the space of one or two hours, until she thoroughly feel the force and efficacy of it. Take figs sliced seven, Fenegreke, 
A Potion.  Mugwoort-seed, Rue-seed, of each, two drams, the water of Peniroyall and Mugwoort, of each six ounces; Make a decoction of them and seethe them till the half part be wasted and consumed, let the residue be strained, and put to that which is strained, of the Trochiskes of Myrrh one dram, of Saffron three grains, of Sugar a sufficient quantity; make one draught of it, and let it be spiced with cinnamon so much as sufficeth. After the aforesaid time of rest, she may be brought again to the travel and labour of the birth, 
Suffumigations.  where suffumigations and perfumes shallbe made underneath with Trochiskes composed of these kinds cast by little and little upon the coals, so that all the fume and vapour may attain only to the Matrix. Take Castoreum, Brimstone, Galbanum, Opoponacum, Culver-dung, Assa Foetida, of each half a dram; temper them with the juice of Rue or Herbe-grace, and make Trochiskes like unto a Filbert-nut. It will profit much to make fumes and vapours with them.  
But if she find no help by them, she may use this Emplaster laid upon her belly. 
An Emplaster  Take Galbanum one ounce and a half, Colocynthis without the seeds two drams, the juices of Rue, Mugwoort, new wax so much as fufficeth; make a Plaster of them. Let a Linnen-cloth be spread with this being decocted, made according to the breadth of the belly, that it may reach from the Navel to the privy parts, and to both the sides, which thee may retain and keep on the place, the space of one or two hours, if there shall be need. 
A Pessary.  Or a Pessary made of Wool, the bigness and length of a finger, and covered with Silk, dipped and moistened in the decoction follollowing, is to be conveyed into the neck or privy passage of the Matrix, and to remain there two hours. Take Aristolochia rotunda, brought out of France, Savine, Colocynthis without seeds, Stavesacre, Elleborus niger, of each half a dram. With these beaten to powder, with the juice of Rue, as much as sufficeth, make a Pessary.  
But after all these things being used, 
When & how we must use Instruments.  but especially, if the Midwife shall not be able to make way and passage for the Infant, the parts of the Matrix being enlarged and amplified as they should, Instruments wholly fit and profitable for those uses shall be used. And when as necessity shall require the use of them, the poor and distressed labouring-woman must be encouraged before hand with comfortable and cheerful words, than the Instruments are to be prepared, and devout prayer to be poured forth to God: and that done, let her so sit upon the Stool, that she may turn her Fundament as much as she can to the back of the Stool, and draw her legs to her as she may, and spread and separate them as wide as she can, the other women standing by, helping and furthering her, that the Midwife may conveniently perform and execute that which is to be done with the Instruments. But if another way shall please, and seem more commodious to the Midwife, let her bring the woman to her bed, in which let her lie, her head declining and bending backward a little, but her buttocks lifted somewhat higher than all the rest, and her legs drawn unto her so much as may be. Then with either of these Instruments, which shall please best, being anointed, let the Midwife begin to work, and to proceed forward. For both these hereafter described and set forth are prepared to open, enlarge, and bring forth.  
Speculum Matricis.  
Apertorium.  
Rostrum anatis.  
Forceps langa & tersa.  
Therefore with one of these Instruments, I mean that which is named in Latin, 
Rostrum anatis the Duck or Drakes bill.  Rostrum anatis, the Duck or Drakes-bil, let her take hold of the dead child, and let her draw him out with her right hand, having taken hold of him, but with her left hand let her drive forward both the ports, or gates, lest the Ligaments or holder's be broken, and the falling down of the Matrix do ensue. In this case, if necessity shall require, you may add to this instrument, the pair of Pincers, with which teeth are pulled out, or else this Instrument here pictured out, 
Forceps longa & tersa, the long and smooth Pincers or tongs.  named in Latin Forceps longa, & tersa, the long and smooth Pincers or Tongues, the which let her use so convenient, that if it be possible, she may easily pull out that which is to be drawn forth.  
But if it shall happen that some swelling, or congealed blood do appear in the foreskins of the Matrix under the skin, arising from the pains and difficulty of the birth, the Veins or Fibraes being broken because of overmuch dilatation, opening and enlargement, as it falleth out: or some inward swelling or tumour of blood shall be bred, by which both the child and Secundines, or afterbirth are wont to be hindered very much before the birth, let the Midwife make incision of that tumour, and open it with a clean knife, 
Incision to be made of such swelling or tumour which hindereth the birth.  when the matter shall be perceived to be digested and ripe, whether it shall appear before or after the birth, let her squeise out the clotted blood, and let her press down the swelling, wipe and cleanse those things which are defiled, and let her bring forth the child as she may, if it shall be unborn as yet. After let her convey a Pessary into the place, oftentimes let her anoint it with the oil of Roses, and bind it up daily, until she shall be whole: For after the same manner we ourselves have also oftentimes proceeded in these accidents and chances.  
The end of the third Book.    

The fourth Book. Of the differences and varieties of an unnatural birth, and of the cure and remedies of them.  
Seeing that the births which show themselves contrary to nature, are many, and in them variable accidents and chances, we will speak of them in this Book following, how, and by how many manner of means they may be made against Nature; also by what means and art every one of them are to be cured; for that end only, that the dangers of such a birth may be known the sooner, and be more diligently prevented, so much as may be.  

CHAP. I. Of the first-forme and fashion of a birth not Natural, and how it may be remedied.  
IT happeneth oftentimes, that the Infant cometh to the birth as this Figure annexed doth express, with the feet, I say, put forth first, and the hands stretched downward to the thighs. But in that case the Midwife shall have care that she be furnished and provided with oil & convenient ointments, 
The Midwife to be provided of oil and convenient ointments.  and may so fare forth help and further the proceeding of the Infant, by anointing and stroking gently, that he be not carried back, but may proceed forth the right way, as he hath begun. But especially she shall do her endeavour, that she may take hold of both the arms of the child stretched out downward, and hold them hard, nor suffer him to draw them back again, but compel him to proceed in the same manner. 
The womb to be anointed with oil, and Elleborus to be blown into the nostrils.  And if the Infant coming forth in this fashion, both because of his bigness, and also his arms stretched out by his sides, be so fastened in the narrowness and straightness of the Matrix, that he cannot break forth wholly to the birth, than the womb of the labouring-woman, and the child shall be anointed with oil, and the powder of Elleborus is to be blown into the nostrils of the labouring-woman for to provoke and hasten the birth, also her womb is to be pressed down gently with both the hands, that he may not bend upward, but may incline downward as he ought, till he proceed forth into the light.   

CHAP. II. What the second form or figure of an unnatural birth, and how it may be remedied and cured.  
IT chanceth again, that sometimes, the birth cometh forth with the feet first, yet the hands not stretched downward to the thighs by the sides, as in the former Figure, 
This manner of birth not to be received, unless the child be very slender, and the orifice of the Matrix very wide.  but lifted up above the head. The which thing happening, the Midwife shall by no means receive such a birth, unless the child be very little and slender, and the Orifice or entrance of the Matrix very wide, that an easy passage may be hoped, without the hurt or harm of the mother and child at all, neither shall she receive it yet, before she have carefully anointed the womb and the Infant. 
The birth to be put back into the womb, and brought to a natural form.  But it shall be more safe and more healthful for both, to put back the birth into the womb, and to convert it to a natural and lawful form, which may be done in this manner: 
The manner how.  The labouring-woman shall lie on her bed, with her face upwards, her head bended backward, her middle part lying higher than the rest: which thing being done, the Midwife shall bind down her belly toward the Midriff in a reasonable manner, that she may drive and force the Infant into the womb, and may minister occasion that he proceed forth in another form. But before all things, she shall have regard that she turn the face of the child towards the back of the mother; next, that she shall lift up the buttocks and legs of the infant, towards the Navel of the mother, that he may hasten to a due and natural birth. In this case there is no experiment more safe, to wit, being most profitable of all in all births coming contrary to the form of Nature.   

CHAP. III. The third form of an unnatural birth, what it is, and how it may be cured.  
But if it shall happen that the child cometh forth with one foot only, the arms hanging downward about his sides, but the other foot turned backward, as this Figure hath it: the labouring-woman must not be urged to proceed in her labour, but be brought to her bed, or to be laid down some where else, and the Midwife must proceed in the same manner as we taught before, by the help of other women, which are present to help her, namely, by turning in again the foot coming out first. The which being performed, let the labouring-woman move and roll herself to and fro in her bed, her head being lower than her other parts, but her thighs and belly higher than the rest, declining backward, until the Infant shall be perceived to be turned a little, than she is to be brought again to her labour and travel, and she is to be furthered with all the help that may be. The same moving, rolling, and stirring, may be done in all the like births, when the Infant shall appear in an unapt and inconvenient manner. In the mean while, when there shall be need, she shall likewise be refreshed and comforted with drinks, and other medicines set down before, and she is to be urged forward to the birth. But if it shall chance in this case, that the other foot turned back, do by that moving and stirring of the mother, or by some other help of the Midwife, come forth directly to the birth, than the Midwife shall straightway, having taken hold of the arms hanging down by the sides, bring forth the Infant as conveniently as she can, in the same manner as we taught in the first Figure.   

CHAP. FOUR Of the fourth form of an unnatural birth and of the cure of it.  
SOmetimes it happeneth that the child appeareth in an overthwart manner, and that the side cometh forth first, which happening, neither is the labouring-woman to be urged to labour, neither the Infant to be desired in this manner. 
Impossible to bring forth the birth in this manner.  For that a child should be borne so, without all controversy, both Nature and the thing itself do show that it is an impossible thing. Wherefore the Midwife shall do her endeavour, 
To be reduced to a natural birth.  that she reduce and bring back to the lawful form of a natural birth, I say, by removing the buttocks, and by directing and guiding the head to the out-passage; if it shall not be effected this way, let her assay by often moving and stirring, until he shall be turned to a right form and manner.   

CAHP. V Of the fifth form of a birth against Nature, and of the cure of the same.  
But if it happen that the Infant hasten to the birth, the feet and arms wide abroad, let not the Midwife procure the labour of the woman, but let her be brought from the Stool to the Bed, where let her repress backward her womb, lying after the manner and fashion oftentimes before mentioned, or let her bid her sometimes turn and move her self to and fro, until the child shall be turned to a more apt and convenient form. If this shall seem to profit nothing at all, let the Midwife join both the feet together, and reduce and bring down the hands about the sides, if she may by any means, and let her direct and conduct him to the birth in the safest manner she can. Notwithstanding, it shall be the surest way, and least dangerous, that the Infant should be turned and reduced into the womb, and there to be framed to a right and natural form of proceeding to the birth.   

CHAP. VI Of the sixth form and fashion, and of the help and remedy of it.  
But if the Infant shall proceed to the birth with both the knees, the hands let down about the thighs, then let the Midwife thrust both the knees upward with her right hand conveyed into the place, until it shall happen that the feet shall issue forth, and then let her take hold of the feet with her left hand, but the hands retained about the sides, with her right hand let her gently move the child to proceed to the birth. If this shall not seem to be safe enough, the labouring-woman shall be brought to her bed, where lying backward in the manner before spoken, she shall move and turn herself so long, until the child shall be turned to a better form and fashion of birth.   

CHAP. VII. Of the seventh form, and how it is to be remedied.  
 
But when the Infant shall hasten to the birth with one hand appearing only, the other arm remaining about the sides, and the feet stretched out straight into the womb, the Midwife shall in no case receive him, nor suffer him to proceed any further to the birth, but let her bring the labouring-woman to bed, where she may lie down again, her middle part high, and her head low. Then her belly also is gently to be restrained and repressed backward, that the Infant may fall back again into the womb: likewise let the Midwife, (if there be need, and that the child will not proceed forth of his own accord) hold and press down his shoulders with her hand conveied into the place, and bring down the arm appearing out to his side, that he may be reduced to a natural form in the womb, and may break forth to an easy birth.   

GHAP. VIII. Of the eight form, and the cure of it.  
THis birth is very dangerous among those which offer themselves contrary to nature, 
A very dangerous birth.  whose form and Figure thou dost see here described and set forth; therefore the Midwife shall employ her labour, that great diligence being used, she may reduce and bring back all this birth into the womb. Therefore let her first anoint the hands and the womb of the labouring-woman with oil, because in this case there is need of great labour and travel. Afterward, if she can, let her thrust back the shoulders of the child with one of her hands conveyed in nigh his arms, that he fall wholly back again into the womb. And again, lest he return to the same form and fashion of birth, let her bring down the arms of the child slid back again to his sides, and by that means, let her reduce him to a natural birth. If it fall not out well this way, the travelling-woman is to be brought to her bed, where, after she hath had some rest, you must proceed in the same manner, as we before delivered. If this thing be done in vain, neither is he changed into another form; she is to be brought again to the Stool, and her womb is to be depressed on every part, and to be kept downward by the help of the women standing by: Moreover, the Midwife having anointed the Matrix, and both the arms put forward, let her join them together as well as she can, and let her receive the Infant breaking forth in that manner. 
Less danger if the Midwife be not negligent, and the child be small.  There will be less danger in this birth, if the Midwife shall be nothing negligent in her duty, and the child shall be slender and small in the birth.   

CHAP. IX. Of the ninth form and fashion, and of the cure of the same.  
But if the child shall proceed forth to the birth with his buttocks first, let the Midwife lift up the Fundament with her hand anointed and conveyed in, and turn the head to the way of passage. She must not make haste in this case, lest he slide back into a worse form & fashion. Neither also is it possible that the Infant should be borne so without most great danger of the mother and child. Therefore if he cannot be turned otherwise with the hand conveyed in, the labouring-woman is to be brought to her bed, where, if she shall be faint and feeble, she must be refreshed and comforted with convenient meats, and now she must proceed in the manner often spoken of before, until the form of a more convenient birth shall come.   

CAHP. X. Of the tenth form and cure of it.  
 
IT comes sometime to pass that the birth appeareth with the neck turned awry, the shoulders bending forward to the birth, but the head turned backward, and the feet with the hands lifted upward. In that case, the Midwife shall remove the shoulders of the child backward, that the head may appear first; for this shall easily be brought to pass, because the shoulders being removed a little, the head of itself will be nearest the Orifice of the Matrix. And if the matter shall be put in trial otherwise, the labouring-woman shall be brought to her bed, and laid down again, and let the Midwife use the Precepts delivered before.   

CHAP. XI. Of the eleventh form and remedy of it.  
WHen the child bendeth forward to the birth with both the hands and feet at once, heed must be taken that no danger happen through the difficulty & deformed fashion of the birth; therefore let the Midwife have a care, that being busied in removing the feet of the Infant, she take hold of his head, and as much as she may first direct and conduct him to proceed forth; also the arms must be removed, unless they shall fall down to the sides of themselves. If it succeed not well this way, we must use the former manner of turning.   

CHAP. XII. Of the twelv'th form, and cure of it.  
 
SOmetimes it comes to pass contrary to the form before, 
The most perilous birth of all.  that the birth proceedeth forth brestward, 
Precepts to be observed.  the hands and feet cast and turned backward. This is accounted most perilous of all; wherefore the Midwife in this case must diligently observe these precepts: First, let the Midwife anoint her own hands, and the womb of the labouring-woman, which being done let her search for the arms of the child, with her hand conveyed in, and let her hold them fast when she hath hold of them, until she shall take hold of the head, all her care and diligence being used that she may first reduce the head to the out passage. After she shall remove the arms of the child and shall direct and convey them to the sides: for this being done, both the Birth shall sooner have passage, and there shall be less danger also. Lastly, if the child shall not be brought forth with any of these means, it shall be the safest way to bring the labouring-woman to bed, and to proceed in the manner already often spoken of, if peradventure by that delay the Infant may frame himself to an apt and commodious form and manner of birth.   

CHAP. XIII. Of the thirteenth form, and the cure of it.  
THe same reason also is observed to be in the birth of two or three, 
Of the birth of twins.  which is in the birth of one For as the birth of one alone, hath only one natural form, but many unnatural: so hath also the birth of twins. Therefore when it shall happen that the twins appear with their heads proceeding forth. the Midwife shall have a care, that she do orderly receive one of them, which shall be perceived to lie most commodiously and fitly in those privy vaults, but do not let the other slip away, while the o her cometh forth, least sliding back again into the womb, he be turned into another form and fashion, but one of them being borne, let her likewise also receive the other straightway as she ought. 
The second birth more easy than the first.  This second birth will be more easy without danger, because the former child hath made the way so plain for the latter. 
In the birth of twins great care to be used to bring forth the secundines.  There must also diligence and care be used, that in this birth of twins, the Secundines or second birth may speedily be procured to issue forth, lest the womb being freed of the children do quickly fall down, and detain them retained there not without great hurt.   

CHAP. XIV. Of the fourteenth form, and the cure of it.  
ALso this is the form of an unnatural birth of twins, which we propound and 〈◊〉 forth to be viewed in this figure, that is to say, with the feet of both the Infants turned to the mouth of the Matrix, 
This birth of twins very dangerous.  such a birth is very dangerous, but to be remedied and corrected by the wisdom of the Midwife. Therefore let the Midwife anoint the womb of the labouring-woman, that by that, the way may be more easy for the birth: which being done, she shall have a care that she take hold of the arms of one of the children, and hold them hard brought downward to the sides, and gently procure the head to proceed forth. He being borne, by and by the other being taken hold of, let her proceed in like manner. But if she cannot apprehend the arms of neither, so that there is no hope of a happy birth, she must have recourse to the first form and fashion of them, if peradventure the children may be sooner delivered and brought forth into the light by that means and turning which is performed on the bed.   

CHAP. XV. Of the last form and fashion of an unnatural birth, and the cure of it.  
THere is another form of an unnatural birth, which may be viewed here, the one coming with his head downward, and the other with the feet, which form truly is framed and composed of a natural and unnatural kind of birth. 
A natural and unnatural kind of birth.  But when it shall happen that two children do show themselves in this manner: let the Midwife first bring forth the former of them being turned into a natural form, and she shall remove the other coming with his feet first, and if it shall be possible, she shall reduce and bring him back again into the womb, that he also may be disposed and framed to the form of a natural birth; But if he cannot be converted into a better form, his hands straight way being taken hold of, he must be procured and moved to issue forth. 
More safe if it be turned to a natural birth.  Yet it would be more safe that it be turned to a natural form; and to effect the same, the Midwife shall bend her diligent labour, by anointing, removing, and turning to and fro, lest that the womb be offended and hurt by such a form and manner of an unnatural birth, and lest also the foreskins begin to swell, whereby the birth cannot come forth without danger, or may be hindered longer. All which things truly by provident care may either be avoided, or at least in some sort amended.  
The end of the fourth Book.    

The fifth Book. Of the false Conception, named Mola, and other false tumors of the womb: also aborcements and certain monsters, and likewise of the diverse signs of conception.  

CAHP. I. Of the false Conception named Mola, and other falsely supposed Conceptions.  
SO many as have at any time written of the false conception Mola, have called it a deceivable conception, 
What the false conception Mola is.  which if at time it cometh to the birth, cometh forth in the likeness and similitude of a piece or lump of misshapen flesh. 
The Name.  Some will have the name of it to be derived of Molon, which among the Greeks' doth signify a round thing, because the form and shape of it is round, or else to be so named of the Persian word Moli, which to them signifieth a certain misshapen thing or a disordered lump. Or rather, as the more learned do write, because it is a certain hardened swelling or tumour, which in the sense of touching seemeth to be stony, like unto a Millstone, named in Latin Mola, either in the whole womb, or in the entrance or wicket of it only: Whereby a heaviness and difficulty of moving happeneth to women possessed with this evil, as it were, pressed down with a heavy weight: 
How the false conception Mola is engendered.  For the Grecians do name it Mylon, which in Latin, is called Mola. Averrois and Paulus Aegineta do declare that this deformed lump of flesh is engendered of the weakness and debility of both the seeds, that is to say, of the man's and woman's, or else of the corruption of good seeds, which happeneth about the first time of conception. But others do say, that it is engendered of the abundance of the flowers or Terms, because through great heat of the Matrix they are sometimes congealed and clotted together, and brought into a misshapen mass or lump of flesh; but they which do more narrowly pay and search into the Natures of things, do attribute this to the more copious and abundant seed of the woman, 
The abundant seed of women causeth the conception Mola.  especially in those women which are somewhat more lascivious than others are, which conceiving little seed from their husbands, dry by nature, by the desire of the Matrix, do stir up copious seed of their own, which augmented with the flowers, by heat of the Matrix, is congealed together, and by the defect and want of man's seed, 
Man's seed the proper workman.  the proper workman and contriver of it, doth grow together into such a lump: For nothing can be engendered without the seed of man; as neither any can be engendered of the seed of women only: For the seed of the woman doth only enclose the seed of man conceived in the womb, whereby the coats or cawls, which afterwards do pass into the Secundines, may only be engendered of it: For, as it is in an Egg, 
A Simile.  even so is the matter discerned to stand in this case; for as of the white and yolk of itself, nothing can be engendered, unless the seed of the Cock be infused into it, although the copiousness of them is much greater in comparison of the seed: so also of woman's seed alone, nothing can be engendered, unless man's seed be added to it; so that if this be little, and the seed of the woman copious & abundant, than they being augmented and increased with the Terms, are wont to breed & engender the false conception Mola, of which some women are disburdened of, the fift, sixth, or at last the seventh year, and some never.  
Besides, there are also many other false and corrupt conceptions, 
False and corrupt conceptions.  of which not only the false conceptions, named Molae, but also some other deformed shapes, defective and unperfect in some part, through defect of both seeds, are in like manner wont to be engendered. It cometh also to pass, that by the corruption, that some hurtful living creatures, or shapes of living creatures are engendered in the Matrix with children, 
The reason why some women swell as if they were with child, yet never delivered of any.  I speak not of strange shapes conceived of beasts, as it hath often fallen out. Oftentimes also we perceive some women to swell, as if they were conceived with child, and yet never to be delivered of any child: because that both seeds conceived together, were so liquid and thin, that by the defect of the heat of the Matrix they cannot be congealed and united together: whereby it falleth out, that of such divers humours enclosed the hydropsy doth afterward ensue.  
But the generation and breeding of the false conception Mola, 
Signs of the conception Mola.  hath certain signs and tokens above all other tumors, whereby it may be known. And first, truly, concerning the constitution and state of the body, the limbs of her which beareth the false conception Mola, are feeble and soft, there is a certain numbness in them, her lips and eyes are swollen, the face is pale, her belly being swollen, appeareth to be hard when it is touched, she hath prickings and many wring in her belly; her Terms are stopped, dimness of the eyes doth molest and vex her, the beating of her heart is continual, her limbs tremble, she cannot away with meat, she vomiteth often and much, she hath many spots in her face, the apples of her eyes standing outward, her look stern and frowning. But because many of these signs are also common to a true conception, 
The false conception Mola, and the true conception, differ many ways.  a certain difference is here to be determined. Therefore we must understand, that the false conception Mola doth differ so many ways from a true conception, as hereafter followeth.  
First, when the Terms shall appear, the false conception Mola cannot be engendered, because it is only engendered of the Terms being retained, and the weak and feeble seed of man.  
When a great moving shall happen in the womb, before the third month after the conception, it is a sign of the false conception Mola: For there cannot be such speedy motion in a true conception.  
In the false conception Mola, the womb swelleth sooner and more.  
Also the moving of a child is not all one with the moving of the false conception Mola. For the child is moved from side to side, but the conception Mola is not so.  
The false conception Mola pressed together with the hand straightway departeth from his place, but by and by returneth into the same place, being removed with the hand. But as a child doth not remove out of his place, so doth he not return back again.  
In the conception of Mola, their belly remaineth harder which are conceived with it, than it is unto them which bear a child.  
The woman is more slow and heavy in her going and moving, which is conceived with the false conception Mola, than they are which have conceived a child.  
The breasts do not swell so much, nor are so hard in the conception of Mola, as in the conception of a child.  
In the generation of the false conception Mola, the limbs and parts do wax feeble and soft, which thing doth not happen in the conception of a child.  
The birth of a child cannot be deferred beyond the tenth month at the farthest; but the birth of the false conception Mola is sometimes deferred unto the fifth or sixth year, sometimes also until the end of the life.  
Such a certain and manifest difference, 
The difference of the false conception Mola from other tumors of the womb.  set down and determined, between the false conception Mola, and a true conception: in like manner also the same is to be discerned and known from other false tumors & swellings of the womb: For it cometh to pass, that many women also begin to swell, either because of air enclosed in the womb whereby a Tympany is engendered: 
Tympany engendered.  or through abundance of diverse humours stopped and retained, whereby the hydropsy is caused. 
hydropsy engendered.  But those women which do swell by reason of air enclosed in the womb, do exceed with the tumour and hardness of the womb, those women which do swell and wax big by the humours being stopped and retained. 
The Tympany removed from place to place.  Also the tympany sometime falleth down, departeth away, and is removed from place to place, 
The hydropsy seldom removed.  neither is felt without pain; but the hydropsy, that is to say, retained humours, is seldom removed, and those humours do make a noise with a continual sounding of the belly. And there is a difference also between those tumors, 

The conception Mola makes the belly harder than the other tumours do.  
In the hydropsy the legs swell, in the Mola they wax less. In the Tympany the belly sounds like a drum, in the Mola not so.   and the false conception Mola. For in the bearing of Mola the belly remaineth much harder, than in those swellings and tumours. In the hydropsy, the legs do swell, but in the false conception Mola, they wax less and feeble. In the disease named a Tympany the belly is hard, sounding like a tabor or drum: but in the conception Mola it is not so. And by this means the differences of these like tumours may be observed, noted and understood, how hardly they may be cured.   

CHAP. II. Of the cure of the false conception Mola, and other false tumors and swellings of the womb.  
IN the cure of the false conception Mola, 
The diet inclining to heat and moisture.  such a Diet before all things is to be appointed as may incline to heat and moisture. Also where there shallbe need of blood letting, let the vein of the ankle be opened, named Saphena, 
The vein of the ankle to be opened.  thereby the matter shall be purged and voided in that manner, as you shall see delivered in the Retention and stopping of the Terms, in the sequel of the discourse hereafter following. These things going before, those things which purge and cure inwardly, 
A .  also outward remedies may be used. First of all we must use a Bath, in which she, which is conceived with the false conception Mola, must sit every day morning and evening, her stomach being empty, the water reaching up so high as her navel. And the bathe shall be prepared in this manner. Take of Marish Mallows with the roots six handfuls, of other Mallows, Branca Vrsina, or bears foot (or if it be not to be had) Violet leaves, Pellitory of the wall, Camomile, Melilot, of of each two handfuls, Fenegreke, Lin-seed, of each two pound.  
Those things being beaten to powder, which are to be powdered, let them be put in a bag, and let them boil in the water, in which the sick woman shall sit. Also it will be very profitable to lay that bag very hot upon the secret parts and the loins. 
An Unguent.  After this bathe, let her be cherrished with warm clothes, and lying down in her bed, let her be anointed with this unguent about the secret parts and loins. Take of the oil of sweet almonds one ounce and an half: of oil of Lilies, Hensgrease, Mucilage, of Lin-seed, Fenegreke, of each half an ounce, White wax, so much as sufficeth, temper them together, 
An Electuary.  and make an ointment. Also let her use this Electuary following the quantity of a Filbert nut every day morning and evening. Take of cinnamon two drams, the rind or outside of Aristolochia longa, Cassia Fistulae (or in stead thereof let the quantity of the cinnamon be augmented) of each one Dram: Assarra Baccha, Lacca, seed of Rue, the fruit of wild Savine, Saffron, of each half an ounce, Sugar half a pound.  
Let the Sugar be dissolved in the juice or water of Rosemary: let the confection be made in morsels. Also this Electuary may be given her another way, that is to say, in broth decocted with old wine, the yolks of two eggs, and Sugar, a reasonable quantity of this Electuary being put into it.  
Also these Pills following are wonderful forcible, of which let her take half a dram, 
Pills.  or a whole Dram.  
Take Nigella Romana, Aristolochia rotunda, Dictamum Creticum, seed of Garden-cresses, the fruit of wild Savine, Serapinum, seed of Rue, Amoniacum, Thymiama, Madder of the dyers, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each one dram: make Pills of them with the juice of the wild Reddisk and Hony, so much as sufficeth: let her take the weight of one or two drams.  
These things being done, 
Suppositories.  suppositories also are to be conveyed into the Matrix which may drive forth the false conception Mola, and remove it from the inward receptacle and cave of the Matrix into the outward part: take Asphaltum, Borace, Castoreum, great Centaurie, Ditany, Elleborus albus, Galbanum, Gentian, Opoponax, Savine, Serapinum, Scamonie, of each half a dram, Saffron one scruple: temper and incorporate them with the juice of a Leek, and make a suppository. Sometime she may use trochiskes of Myrrh of which we have spoken in the third chapter of the third book: for they both drive forth the false conception Mola, and cause an easy passage. But in tumors or swellings, 
How tumors proceeding from a Tympany and hydropsy are to be cured.  which happen of enclosed air & retained humours, the diet is so to be prescribed and ordered, that it incline wholly to heat and dryness. Purgations also, Phlebotomies or blood-letting may be used according to the abundance of the qualities. Which things being performed in the first place, a bathe or Fomentation shall be prepared in the form before prescribed, 
A .  these things following being added unto it beside: take Wild Pennyroyal, Rue, Pennyroyal, Bayleaves, dry Wormwood, Anise, Fennel, Cumine, of each an equal portion. More things also like unto these of the same Nature may be taken for mitigation and repressing tumors. And Part also of the Herbs now spoken of shall be put into a bag, and applied to her loins, while she sitteth in the bathe. After the bathe, 
A Confection.  let her take of this confection the bigness of a Filbert-nut, in old white wine, in which Alsara Bacca is before infused. Which confection is made thus. Take of the Species or kinds of Diacurcuma, Diacyminum of each three Dams, white Sugar half a pound, let the Sugar be dissolved in the water of Herbe-grace, and make a confection in little cakes or Morsels. Or if you please, you may give her this Potion warm, 
A Potion.  after her bathing, made in this manner. Take twenty Peach-kernels the skin newly pulled off, to which being pounded with the yolks of two eggs and mixed together, you shall add the powder following. Take Galanga, Cinamome, Long-peper, Ginger, Cloves, Saffron, Nutmeg, of each half a Dram, make a powder of them. Let a Decoction be made of all these with the best wine, Let them be strained, and when it is strained, put sugar to it, and make a very clear potion of it. Or, which liketh us better, let the matter of the simples still remain in the Decoction and let them be taken altogether in the warm drink. The Species also of the confection named Hiera Picra doth much avail in this case, taken in some drink or Pills.  
But when the Tumour or swelling shall be caused by the retention of diverse humours, than the matter shall be purged out and voided by such remedies, as we have been accustomed to use in the stopping of the Terms, and to provoke urine, such as this is. Take the seeds of Parsley, aniseed, Fennel, Stone parsley, Cardamomus, and the leaves of Rue. Let all of them being beaten to powder with equal weight, be drunk with sweet wine. Also in this case the confection of Diagalanga is approved to be good: and the Electuary de Baccis lauri, also the oil of Rue, of Henbane, and of White Lilies, 
A Plaster.  and the Trochiskes of Agaricke. A plaster also of this sort may be confected and laid upon the swollen belly. Take of the seed of Rue, Cummine, Garden-cresses, Centaurie the less, Majoram, Anise, wild Pennyroyal, of each one handful, let all of them be shred into pieces and beaten together, and make an Emplaster of them with wine.   

CHAP. III. Of unperfect children, also of monstrous Births.  
WE see that it cometh to pass in diverse manners, by experience of matters, & testimony of the times: that many monsters and imperfect or misshapen children are borne. But when as that thing is specially to be attributed and ascribed to the judgements of God, yet afterward also the corruption and fault of the seed is to be acknowledged, to wit, which was either too much, or too little, or corrupted, from whence those monsters are engendered. But we will hereafter give you some Figures of those shapes, not to the intent to handle all things to the full perfection, but that by a few of them we may propound some knowledge of the judgements of God by diverse monsters against Nature, as it were prognosticating things to come, and that we may see how much the fault and corruption of seed availeth in this case.  
In the year 1552 in England not far from Oxford a certain deformed birth was borne; with two heads, four arms, with so many hands, with one belly having the secret parts of a woman, and one fundament. On the one side, there were two feet overthwart: on the other, one only stretched out right of form of two feet, having ten toes. One of them lived fifteen days, and the other lived one day more. They wept seldom in this time. One of them was very merry, but the other drowsy and sad; the length and breadth of them was the breadth of twenty fingers.  
But if it be demanded of the cause of such conceptions and births, 
The causes of Monsters.  we must know before all things that they come not to pass without the providence of the Almighty and Omipotent God; but also that they are permitted oftentimes by his just judgement for to punish and admonish men for their sins. Likewise we allege the immoderate desire of lust to be a cause, whereby it cometh to pass, 
Immoderate desire of last a cause.  that the seeds of men and women are caused to be very feeble and imperfect, whereby of necessity a feeble and imperfect Feature must ensue. 
The defect of the seed causeth the defect of the Feature.  For the defect of seed going before, the consequence is, that a defect of the Feature doth follow; and contrariwise, if the seed shall be superfluous, it is easily collected and concluded, that superfluous things are engendered of a superfluous matter.  
But if at any time two Infants do grow together, 
The causes of two children growing together.  sometime this thing is caused of thin and corrupt seed: sometime by terrors and affrightments, and also other evil chances, whereby it falleth out, that the children already conceived before in the womb, are squashed together, and the seeds being broken, do grow together in some part. 
Similes.  For as Cream or the fatness of milk, although it be congealed and clotted together, notwithstanding with some motion is troubled and spoiled, and even as the flowers & blossoms of the trees are cast down with any wind● so also the conceived seeds by an easy and small mischance may be corrupted that they may flow abroad, and by flowing abroad are altogether commixed and mingled together, or at least do in some sort grow, and increase together, whereby it must needs be, that some deformed and misshapen birth must follow, which God the first Author doth permit and suffer to be form so and shaped, for the punishment and admonition of men.  

The causes of cloven or Hare-lips.  Many also are engendered with cloven lips, after the form and manner of the mouth of a Hare (and are named Hare-lips) either in one, or in both parts of the lips, and they grow together, with that evil & deformity, which things we must understand to be caused by terrors, and sudden sights of Hares, Swine, or other Cattles, this sudden terror troubling and moving the conceived seed. Again, through longing & terrors, many are borne, 
The causes of spots & marks in children.  which have diverse spots and marks imprinted on the body, to wit, of Hares, of Mice, of diverse colours, of a bunch or cluster of grapes, of flames of fire, and other things. Which things because they are common and often, we would not let them out to view by several Figures.  
It happeneth also that some are engendered, and do grow and increase until some time, that he that vieweth them cannot determine and be resolved of what sex or kind they may be of. The more unskilful do supp●●●●●em to be of both kinds, but they are fare 〈◊〉. For it falleth out by some chance, that the seed gathereth some corruption about these members: For example sake. 
An Example.  It happened that such a child was brought before us, concerning whom, it was not apparent of what sex or kind he should be. The testicles or stones did appear outwardly, but no privy member beside, under the testicles there was a rapture and division from which the water did issue forth. But because by reason of the defect of the yard, or urine-pipe standing outwardly (for it was not altogether wanting, but turned inwardly toward the rapture even new spoken of) Nature had given this way to the urine, it seemed good that it should not be baptised for a maiden child, nor for such a one as is both Male and Female, 
The conjecture of the mother.  but for a man-child. And the mother did confess that she was greatly affrighted, and terrified, by a certain thing she had seen; so that she did conjecture, that by that means, that was so contracted, and shrunk unto the child. But because such things are rather perceived by the understanding, than the eyes, we would not frame any Figure peculiar to such a birth. But now 〈◊〉 return to another Figure.  
That of brutes such various shapes are borne, it is less wonder therefore, when as Pliny reports of living creatures in Africa that have such various forms and shapes, seeing their coupling and conception is of diverse creatures.  
Rabbi Moses in his Aphorisms, Particle 25. 
Rabbi Moses his report.  writeth thus: In Sicily there happened a great Eclipse of the Sun, and in that year women brought forth very many deformed & double-headed children. It may be demanded here, whether beasts may conceive by men, 
Whether beasts may conceive by men.  or in like sort women of beasts. We affirm this may come to pass for three reasons: First, by natural appetite. Secondly, by the provocation of Nature by delight: Thirdly, by the attractive virtue of the Matrix, 
Histories of some that have had carnal copulation with beasts.  which in beasts and women is alike. Examples are at hand; For Plutarch in his lesser Parallels hath these words. Aristonymus Ephesius the son of Demostratus, when he hated women, had carnal company with an Ass, which in process of time brought forth a most beautiful Maiden-childe, named Onoscelin, Aristotle being author of it in the second of his Paradoxes. And again, when as Fulvius Stellus did disdain and hate women, he had carnal company with a Mare, which, the Months of bearing being passed over, brought forth a very beautiful Maiden-child, which he named Epona (peradventure Hippona. 
A Goddess which taketh care of Horses. ) And indeed, there is a goddess of this name, which taketh care of Horses, as Agesilaus writeth in his third book of the affairs of Italy. Again, of one Fulvius and a Mare, the Maiden-child Hippo, is said to be borne as we read in Plutarch.  
And even as Nature doth change and alter herself in man: 
In Helvetia, A Mare brought forth a colt or rather a Cow.  so experience doth teach that it may also happen so in beasts. For among the Helvetians, a Mare being covered of a Bull, at the due time brought forth a colt, 
In France a Mare brought forth a colt, the hinder part like a Hart.  only having horses feet, but in shape, hair and tail, he was like unto a Cow. And in France, a Mare being covered of a Hart, brought forth a colt, in the hinder part like unto a Hart, whom no other Horse could equal & match in running, and Ludovicus the King received him for a gift of the owner.   

CHAP. FOUR Of the causes and signs of aborcement, or untimely births, and also of all manner of cure of such as suffer abortion.  
WE must understand, 
The causes of aborcement are twofold.  that it happeneth from inward and outward causes, that women suffer aborcement, that is to say, bring forth an immature Feature, or an untimely fruit. The inward causes, 
Inward causes.  are considered from the Feature itself, or from the Matrix; If it happen by the Feature, it is caused, for that the Cotilidons are over-weake (which are veins by which the conception is tied and fastened in the Matrix) by whose feebleness and weakness the mouths, or specks of the veins in the Matrix, named in Latin Acetabula, are caused to be quickly dissolved and broken, and aborcement doth follow. Again, if the coats, or cawls also, wherein the child is wrapped and enfolded in the womb, be loosed, dissolved and broken through debility and weakness, and the retained and enclosed humours do issue forth, by which flux, the Matrix is made slippery and feeblish, and the Feature destitute of moist nourishment, do perish and be destroyed: and also likewise, if venomous humours flow and issue forth, and stir and prick forward the expulsive faculty of the Matrix. It chanceth also sometime, that abortion is caused, in respect of the Matrix, by an inward cause; that happeneth when the woman is weak, and waxing feeble and faint, doth subtract and withdraw nourishment from the Feature, that it hath no augmentation, nor sufficient matter to engender and procreate the members. Further, in respect of the Matrix, the wide and ample largeness of the mouth of the Matrix, and the immoderate humidity and moistness of the same, the evil disposition and distemperature of the qualities, also ventosity, or vapours enclosed within the Matrix, and the ulcers and Apostumations of the same do minister and afford a cause and occasion of aborcement: And also other maladies and infirmities, as an immoderate flux of blood, an unkind looseness of the belly, the disease Tenasmus (which is a desire to go to stool when nothing can be voided) the cough, 
Tenasmus.  continual sneesing, and what things soever do shake the body overmuch: yea, likewise every sharp sickness, which doth so molest the body of the woman, that it disperseth the nutriments of the Feature. 
Outward causes.  Besides the external or outward causes, which chance outwardly, and hasten and procure aborcement, are also many: such as are, falls, running, leaping or dancing, riding, immoderate exercise and blows. Also inconvenient and intemperate application and use of things, which are without the body, as of the air too hot, or too cold. For great coldness doth destroy the Feature; but overmuch heat intercepteth and keepeth away the air from the Infant, and stifleth and strangleth him in the womb. Hot baths also effect the same thing, if women do use them the first three months after conception: Also noisome stinks and savours do provoke and procure abortion, as of Lamps or Candles newly put out, as Aristotle witnesseth. Likewise an intemperate using of unkind meat and drink; as by the greedy desire of an unnatural appetite, to eat immoderate store of Salt, to eat coals dirt, or such things, by which naughty and corrupt humours, or hurtful dryness is caused and procured. Also great hunger doth hurt the Feature very much; and overmuch repletion and surfeiting, the ways and passages of nourishment being soon stopped, doth suffocate and choke him. Further, immoderate exercise, intemperate labours, immoderate sleep; also unseasonable and overmuch watching, or continual sluggishness and slothfulness, do harm and endamage the Feature. Likewise other accidents and chances, such as are, sudden fury, great danger, exceeding great fear, overmuch sorrow, sudden joy, dull appetite, desire of things not to be gotten, immoderate Venus, unfaciable lust. And these things concerning the causes.  
Moreover, the signs of aborcement to come, 
Signs of aborcement.  whether they proceed from internal or external causes, are twofold. First, before conception, there are some foreshowing tokens belonging to these women which are wont to abort, and bring forth unripe fruit, as superfluous moisture, sudden and unaccustomed fatness, as if they wax fat contrary to their nature, which always were wont to be of a lean and slender body. Or such women will suffer aborcement, which have a continual pain about the Kidneys, or else do suddenly fall into other perilous and dangerous diseases. Next after conception, be thou most certain and sure of an aborcement to ensue, by these signs and notes, when you shall perceive the dugs suddenly to wax soft and lank, which before were plump and hard; if immeasurable fluxes and the Flowers shall issue forth continually. Further also, if the shivering Agues, coldness, and pains of the head with a mistiness and dimness of the eyes shall suddenly cease upon the woman conceived with child. All which things do prognosticate and signify that Aborcement shall follow quickly after.  

How it is to be observed, that the child is dead in the womb.  But that the Feature is dead in the womb, hereby it is evident, when no motion is felt any more in the womb, when the eyes of the impregnant and conceived woman do wax hollow, when her colour is changed into a swartish whiteness, when great wring and gripings happen about the Navel and loins, whereby it comes to pass, that the lower parts are pressed and clunged together: 
The Strangury and Tenasmus do happen,  Also the Strangury and Tenasmus do happen (the former being a difficulty to void the Urine, issuing out by drops, and the latter a desire and motion to go to stool without any ability to void the excrements) Again, when the ears, the lips, and the end of the nostrils are stiff with a pale coldness, and the face beginneth to swell. Also although the belly doth not fall down flat, yet it waxeth soft, so that you may feel by touching in one side of her lying down, a certain hard lump. If the breath stink, it is a certain token that the Feature hath begun already to be putrefied and corrupted.  
It remaineth the causes and signs being known, to know also the cure, 
Of the cure of aborcements.  and the certain manner either of preventing or correcting Aborcement. And first, truly, 
Before conception.  to prevent and avoid the danger of Aborting, we had need to know the certain way and manner, yea before Conception. 
1. Convenient meat and drink to be used.  For if the woman shall accustom to Abort and to be delivered before due time through debility and weakness, she shall be comforted and strengthened with convenient meat and drink, that she may be in better ease, her body being somewhat fatter, and that is to be done before the time of her conception. If the amplitude and largeness of the Orifice and entrance of the Matrix shall be an occasion, 
2. The orifice of the Matrix to be restrained and made narrower.  it must be restrained and made more narrow, and the surperfluous humours evacuated and purged, by some convenient medicine being used orderly. But if it be found, 
3. Ventosities to be diminished and dispersed.  that ventosity or vapours enclosed in the Matrix, are the causes, they are to be diminished and dispersed in a manner aforespoken, where we handled it concerning the false conception Mola. Further, although the woman have already conceived, 
After conception.  as yet aborcement may be avoided by assured remedy and cure.  

1. A temperate air, moderate exercise and sleep.  And first, truly, let her dwell and abide in a temperate air, which hath conceived let the exercise of her body, especially the first three Months, be moderate, lest the ligaments or stay-bands of the Infant, being as yet tender and weak be broken. Let her sleep be moderate; 
The belly to be kept lose.  Let her not suffer her belly to be bound, 
How the belly is to be made laxative.  but let her keep it reasonable lose and laxative; but if it chance to be costive and bound, let it sometime be loosened and set at liberty with a Clyster confected of Cassia extracted, Sugar, and common oil. This hath no danger in it, neither (as it is in the judgement of the unskilful) is death hastened by Clysters, but the belly constipated and hardened, is by them loosened, to perform his natural office and function. Not withstanding, if some cannot abide to use them, they may use other things relaxing and unbinding the belly, to wit, Cassia extracted, or Manna taken in broth, or prepared to the form of an Electuary or morsel gilded. But here especially we must take heed, 
Strong medicines not to be given the first four months.  that stronger medicines be not given to women with child, the first four months of her childbearing, lest the ligaments and binder's as yet being feeble and weak, be too slack to stay and hold the Feature. When it shall be needful to open a vein, 
Median vein to be opened.  one of the Median veins is to be opened. But this thing is to be done no more than once, lest by taking away of the blood, nourishment be diminished and withdrawn from the Feature, but it shall be more safe and less dangerous to do this, half the time of her child-bearing being expired. 
Anger, excessive joy, terrors and fears to be avoided.  After Conception, also let the conceived-women bridle themselves from all anger, let them abstain from overmuch joy, let them take heed of terrors and fears, and whatsoever may move the mind suddenly. Also let them forbear from much carnal society in the first three months, 
Much carnal society to be forborn.  the feature as yet being but tender. 
Gems and precious stones to be worn.  It is also profitable to wear about them gems and preciousstones, as the Saphire, jacint, Coral, the precious stone Corneola, Adamant, Thurchese. Let their meat and drink be temperate. Let all sharp and biting things be avoided, as Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Mustard, 
Leeks, Onions, Garlic, etc. to be avoided.  and such like things, and with them whatsoeever may procure the Terms to issue, and such things as bind and harden the belly. What meat soever they covet, 

The not enjoying of meats desired, causeth aborcement.  
No speech to be made of meats not to be had before women conceived.   let them enjoy the same, For to let and bar them from satisfying their appetite and longing, bringeth and causeth a most speedy Aborcement. Therefore care is to be had, that speech be not made of meat not to be gotten before women conceived with child, or if they be carried of their own will with a strange appetite, they are to be reduced and drawn back from that desire, by any convenient means, as much as may be done.  

2. The stomach to be comforted and strengthened.  Further, because it happeneth, that there is much corrupt matter in women conceived with child, which if it doth distil down into the stomach, corrupteth the appetite, and causeth a loathing of meat and vomiting; and exhaling and fuming from thence, sendeth up stinking vapours to the head, whereby the giddiness of the head (named in Latin Vertigo) with very many other diseases of the brain doth follow and ensue; 
Giddiness of the head.  beside, if they have recourse to the heart, 
Fainting and swound. Swelling in the legs.  they cause and engender fainting of the spirits, and swound: if they descend and fall down to the legs, they cause them to swell very much. Therefore to decline and avoid so many and so great dangers, we must have care and regard above all things for the comforting and strengthening of the stomach. First of all this ointment will do good.  
Take of the oil of Odoriferous Spick one ounce, oil of Mastic, oil of Quinces, 
How the stomach is to be comforted.  of each half an ounce, Pearls, red-Corals prepared, Noble-Mints, Calamus Aromaticus, Gallia Muscata, of each half a dram, Musk one grain, White Wax as much as may suffice. Temper them and make a Lineament or soft unguent in a liquid form: the Stomach shall be anointed every day with this ointment before dinner, a warm Fomentation laid upon it: the which thing being done, the Electuary named Diamargariton is always to be taken, or the Electuary following, prepared in this manner.  
Take of conserve of Roses, borage, 
An Electuary.  and bugloss, of each half an ounce, of the Species of Diamargariton Drams too, Coral prepared, Pearls prepared, of each half a scruple, the powder of precious stones half a dram: temper all these together, and with Syrup of Roses make an Electuary, and let it be gilded with a leave of pure gold.  
Because also the first three months, Aborcements are caused through ventosities and windiness, 
3. How ventosities or winds are to be dispersed and dispelled.  the meat of the woman with child shall be continually seasoned with these spices: Take Cinamome, Nutmeg, Cardomomus, of each half an ounce, Ginger six drams, long Pepper one dram, Saffron half a scruple; of these shall be a powder made, which may be used in all meats.  
But when the ventosity and windiness shall begin to be augmented and increased, they must use the confections of Diagalanga, Diatrionpipereon, Diacyminum, and the like. And it shall be profitable thoroughly to anoint the belly and flank with oil of Lilies. But for the repressing of vapours fuming up into the head, 
Styptic fruits to be eaten after meats.  always styptic and binding fruits are to be taken after meat, that is, Pears, Quinces, Meddlers, Coriandrum Saccharatum, or Diacydonion, which Avicen approveth before all other things for that purpose. 

Salt meats with vinegar, water in which gold hath been quenched approved.  
Roasted flesh and fish better than boiled.   Also salt meats with Vinegar, and water in which gold heat red-hot is extinguished and quenched, taken with meat are very much approved. Likewise it shall be more wholesome to eat roasted flesh and fish, than boiled very well seasoned with spices. Let their wine be clear, wholesome, and a little allayed with water: After meat it is profitable to take some Filbird-nuts covered over with Sugar; 
How the swelling of the legs is to be taken away.  but for the taking away of the swelling of their legs, let the stalks of Colewoorts or Camomile-flowers be sodden with wine and vinegar, and let a fomentation or bathing be made upon them with these. Some do mingle clay with water, wherein red-hot steel hath been quenched, a little Vinegar being sprinkled upon it, and do lay such fomentations upon the legs. But if abortion is to be feared by reason of the diseases of the Kidneys, and of the Loins, a great inflammation accompanying those grievances, which may be known by the urine or water, the loins are to be anointed with this Unguent: Take oil of Myrtles, of Roses, of Mastic, 
4. The cure of the Kidneys and Loins.  of each one ounce and a half, the juice of the greater Plantain, Barba Eovis, or Houseleek, of each half an ounce; Bowl Armenia, parched Barley, Terra sigillata, red Sanders, red Roses, Succus Acacia, Myrobalans, Hypocisthis, of each half a dram. Let those things which are to be powdered, be beaten to powder, and let them be commixed and tempered together with Vinegar, white Wax, and Turpentine so much as sufficeth, and make an Unguent of them. After this ointment hath been used a few days, this plaster following shall be laid afterward upon the Kidneys & Loins. Take Mastic half an ounce, Laudanum three drams, yellow Wax, Bistort, Cipresse-nuts, Myrobalans, Hypocisthis, 
How coldness is to be driven away.  Acacia, Terra sigillata, red Roses, Bole Armenia, of each one dram and a half; to these add a little quantity of oil of Myrtles, or Turpentine, and make a Cerot, or Cere-cloth which may be spread upon a piece of Leather.  
But if it be suspected that abortion will follow by a cold cause, we must abstain from this ointment, and we must use the plaster here following. Take Mastic six drams, Laudanum four drams and a half, yellow Wax, Colophonia, Ship-pitch, or Stone-pitch, Styrax Calamita, of each one dram and a half, Cypressenuts, Mints, Bistorte, Gallia muscata, Frankincense, Galbanum, Gum, Arabic, Mirth, of each one dram and a half; Make a plaster of them with Turpentine. If the woman shall feel an itching under it, this must be taken away for a few days, than afterward it must be applied to the place again, neither must it altogether be omitted, because the Kidneys and Loins are very much strengthened by this. And, if the belly of the woman with child shall be overlaxative and lose, it shall be restrained with an Electuary confected in this order: Take the confection Diamarinaton (that is, sour Cherries condite) Diacydoniton, Electuarium de Cornis, conserve of Roses, of each one ounce, the cups of Acorns, Terra sigillata, of each one dram. Temper them with the syrup of Pomegranates, and make an Electuary in a liquid form; this taken morning and evening, and before meat, is very much approved: Also in this case Crab-fish gathered out of brooks and rivers, are commended of Hypocrates. Likewise all meats sodden in water, wherein iron or steel red hot hath been quenched, or tempered with the juice of Acacia: also wine alaid with that water; let not her meat be thin and moist, but dry and thick; let Dates, that is to say, the fruit of the Date-tree, be sodden with her pottage. If these things shall not bind the belly, it shall be convenient to use a strictive Clysters; and if she shall be grieved with the disease Tenasmus, and goeth often to the stool, but voideth nothing, so aborcement is to be feared, all those things are to be used before spoken, with which the belly may be unloosed and made slippery, and also Clysters and Suppositories. Likewise the Diet is to be prescribed and ordered according to the form and manner before set down.  

8.  If the childbearing woman shall abound with noisome humours, whereby many diseases may follow, as a Tertian, Quartane, or a continual Fever, the which as Hypocrates telleth us, do easily cause abortion, because by them the nutriment of the Feature is diminished, or if the fits be great, with great pains of the head and immoderate heat, than we must resist the heat in this manner: Take water of Roses, of Betony, of Sage, Vinegar, of Nightshade, of each one ounce, Bole-Armeniack, one scruple, of all the kinds of , of each half a dram, Terra sigillata, Saffron, of each one scruple.  
Mix them together with the white of an Egg, and make a soft ointment to be laid upon the Temples of the head; she may use also in stead of a Cordial medicine, the confection Diatriasandalon, conserve of Roses, Borage and bugloss. But if it shall happen also that the Matrix be inflamed, earthworms are to be pounded in a mortar, of which, Vinegar, the juice of Rue, and common oil mixed with them, let there be made a soft ointment, or the Emplaster of Sanders, or the plaster named Coctum Album shallbe laid upon it.  
But if the second or third month, the Whites shall begin to issue forth by reason of Phlegmatic humours abounding, whereby the Cotyledons are grieved (which are veins to which the Feature is fastened in the womb) and the mouth of the Matrix becometh slippery, and therefore it is to be feared, that the woman shall suffer Aborcement, we must proceed altogether in that manner, as we have declared in the Cure of dispersing Ventosity and windy matter. 
Divers experiments letting Abortion.  Furthermore other experiments also are approved. A little bone (which they call Saltus, or Astragalus Leporis) to be carried about the woman, and to drink of it daily, the stomach being empty. Also the stone named Lapis-stellatus so enchased in gold or silver, that it may touch the naked body.  
Some women bear about them a claw taken from the foot of a Bear. Also the ashes gathered together of a Hedgehog being burnt and tempered with oil, affordeth an ointment very commodious and profitable for this affection and passion. Little worms are found underneath herbs, which if they be hanged alive on the woman's neck, she shall never Aborte, neither bring forth before due season, (as some are bold to promise, and let the truth of the matter depend upon their credit.) For they say they have such great efficacy to hinder the birth, that the woman cannot be delivered, unless they be removed. Wherefore they admonish that they must be always removed and taken away in time. Also the stone named Lapis Aetiles (which some say is found in an eagle's nest) is proved against Aborcements and over hasty births, which in like manner is reported to further and promote a lingering and overflow birth.  

10.  There are likewise some other external things, which chance outwardly, and for all that do cause aborting to women by a natural cause, as if a woman-conceived with child do tread upon a serpent, viper, the egg of a Crow (as some do write) or a dead serpent with two heads named Amphisbaena. Some also doth attribute this property to Castoreum carried in the bosom.  
But if it happen that the Term's issue forth after Conception, 
11.  they are not strait way to be stopped, unless the woman become weak with Flowing of them. If they issue forth moderately, this thing is to be permitted, because they signify that much slyminesse and distempered humours and abundance of blood is detained in the womb. If they flow forth more copiously they shall be stayed and restrained with Acacia, Hypocisthis, and Lin-seed sodden in water, to be used by a bathe or Fomentation; If the legs shallbe swollen, which thing often time happeneth the three former months, regard is to be had of the liver and stomach, that they may be lightened and eased from superfluous humours, and let meats be given them of another quality. If the liver grow hard to women-conceived with child, it is a hard thing to remedy it, because as Galen witnesseth, in this passion they are not able to endure strong medicines. Wherefore the most gentlest shall be administered to them.  
But because it falleth out, that dead Features sometime do proceed forth more slowly, and sometimes never, even as the Secundines do, we must understand that most great dangers do happen to women, & also sicknesses, swooning & failing of life, especially in sommer-time, by reason of venomous vapours, fuming and flying upward from the putrefying Feature, and so greatly vexing and molesting the heart and the brain, that oftentimes they are deprived of the use of reason and understanding. Therefore all care is to be used and employed, that dead Features may speedily be expelled, & the poor women freed from so great dangers, which thing how it may be done, we have taught in the former books by a large discourse.   

CHAP. V Of the signs of Conception.  
ALthough it be a hard thing to know the true conception of women, yet we may give a conjecture by many signs, and attain unto it by some arguments confirmed and ratified by experience. It is credited for certain sign of conception, if the woman, the tenth day or some day sooner, after she had company carnally with man, shall perceive the Terms to be white or red by reason of humours, also the stopping and retention of the Terms is accounted for a sign, yet it deceiveth, because it happeneth also often times without conception. Therefore this being omitted, we will prosecute other notes and signs taken from the body of the woman herself concerning true conception, every member and part examined, and first the beginning shall proceed from the head.  
The pains of the head, swimming of the brain, and dimness of the eyes, if they concur and chance together, do signify conception.  
The apples of the eyes are lessened.  
The eyes swell and are changed into a swartish colour.  
The little veins do wax red, and begin to swell with blood.  
The eyes sink down into the head.  
The eyelids become feeble.  
Divers colours are seen in the eyes, and perceived in a lookingglass.  
Red pimples do arise in the face.  
The little veins placed betwixt the nose and eyes, are swollen with blood, and are seen more clearly and plainly than they were wont.  
The vein under the tongue waxeth greenish.  
The neck is hot, the backebone cold.  
The veins and arteries are full, the pulses are easily perceived.  
The veins situated in the breast, at first wax black, afterward begin to be yellow, or to be of a blewish-colour.  
The dugs begin to swell and wax hard with pains.  
The nipples begin to be reddish.  
If cold water be drunk, a coldness is felt in the breasts,  
A loathing and refusing of meat and drink creepeth upon the woman.  
Divers appetites & long are engendered.  
A destruction and decay of Natural appetite and desire is caused and procured.  
A continual casting and parbreaking and weakness of the stomach.  
Sower and slow belchings.  
A loathing of wine.  
A disordered and intemperate beating of the heart.  
Sudden joys, & after these sudden sorrow's  
Wring and gripings about the Navel.  
Pain of the loins.  
The lower part of the belly is affected with swellings.  
There are inward compunctions and prickings in the body.  
The seed is retained seven days after carnal company.  
A coldness and chillness of the outward members, after the act of Generation.  
The attractive faculty and virtue of the Matrix is increased.  
The Matrix is dried by and by.  
A great delight and pleasure in the Venereous act, but after conception a disdaining of Venus.  
The Matrix is restrained and closed.  
But because this thing is procured by other causes also, it may be observed and noted by an infallible and certain difference, when it foreshoweth conception. For than it is slender and soft: but if it be restrained and closed for any other cause, as by too much heat, or swelling, than it remaineth harder.  
The secret parts of the woman are wrinkled even unto the seaventh month. The womb waxeth round, and swelleth. About the beginning of Conception, pains of the belly and back 〈◊〉 felt, as it were beating.  
The Terms or Flowers are stopped. For the veins, from whence they do flow, carry and convey by the mouths and speckes named Acetabula, blood to nourish the Feature through the Navel, and some of that matter is drawn upward to the breasts, where it is transmitted, and changed into milk. For so also Hypocrates admonisheth us, saying; When the Terms are retained and stayed; and neither Fevers, nor fit of Agues do follow, and also an abhorring and refusal of meat happeneth to the woman; we must understand without doubt, that the woman is conceived with child.  
The legs begin to swell with pains & aches.  
The body is feeblished, and the face waxeth pale.  
The Pulse at first beateth swiftly, by and by slowly.  
The excrements of the belly are voided more hardly and painfully, because the guts are pressed and thrust together.  
The urine or water, is white, a little cloud floating or swimming aloft, and many motes are seen in it, as in the beams of the Sun: but first of all, in the first month, when many such like things do sink down to the bottom, they are drawn out in length like unto wool, the Urinal being moved in which they are in.  
In the later months the urine is red or yellow, but at length it becometh black, a little red cloud swimming above.  
Hypocrates teacheth us to make trial of conception with water mingled with Hony, that if the women having taken this, lying down in her bed shall feel gripings or wring of the belly, than it is a sign she hath conceived, if she do not, she hath not yet conceived with child.  
Whereas some would have this experiment to be practised by a suffumigation received underneath, that maketh little or nothing to the matter. For Hypocrates teacheth, that so the signs and tokens of barrenness and fruitfulness are to be observed, and not of conception; but they which attribute to fumes made underneath any thing for the searching out of conception, do say, that the fume made of the thing put underneath must be restrained & kept that it ascend not up to the nostrils, they would have such conjecture to be taken of Garlic put underneath, and Aristolochia used with it. But by what probable reason, they themselves know best.  
It shall be a more certain experiment, to stop close the Urine of the woman put into a glass for three days, which time being ended, let it be strained thorough a clean fine linnen-cloth, and if she have conceived, there will appear little living creatures, like unto Lice, if they be red, they say, they do portend and signify a man child, if they be white, they say a maiden-childe is conceived.  
And some do affirm this thing for a certainty: If a smooth and bright needle be put into the Urine of a woman, in a brazen Basin, covered close a night, on the morrow, if the woman have conceved, that needle will be speckled with red spots, if she have not, it will be black and rusty.  
If a woman take the juice of Carduus, and shall cast it up again being taken, it is supposed to be a certain, sign of conception. And so much concerning confused signs of conceptions (that is to say, such as concern Male and Female both alike.)  
But whether a manchild or womanchild be conceived, it is delivered and set down to be marked & observed by these signs following.  
If it be a manchild, 
The signs of a man-child.  the right-eye is moved more often, and is better affected with his natural colour than the left.  
The right breast is more plump and harder than the left, the colour of the nipples is changed sooner.  
Milk breedeth sooner, and if it be drawn out and opposed, and set against the beams of the Sun in a glass, it cleaveth together into a little clear lump, not unlike unto a clear Pearl.  
If the milk of the woman conceived with child be sprinkled into her urine, it sinketh by and by to the bottom, if Salt be put to it, it doth not melt.  
The lid of the right eye is redder, and all the colour of the face is better than it was wont, as Hypocrates telleth us. Less heaviness is felt.  
The first moving, for the most part the fortieth day, is felt more quicker in the right side. For Hypocrates instructing concerning the lying of children in the womb, doth advertise us that male-childrens lie on the right side, and female-childrens on the left; because man-children have need of more heat, which they attract and draw unto them from the Liver, situated and seated in the same side.  
If the Flowers issue forth the fortieth day after conception  
The belly is more sharp about the Navel.  
The woman when she goeth a journey, putteth forth her right foot first, and in rising up from her seat, she doth sooner stay herself, and lift herself up upon her right hand, than upon her left.  
The pulse is more swift in the right hand, than in the left.  
But if they shall conceive maiden-childrens, 
The signs of the conception of a maiden child.  all things happen otherwise, and these signs, for the most part, are observed.  
The first moving, for the most part, is made the nintieth day after conception.  
The moving is made on the left side.  
Women-childrens are carried in the womb with great pains.  
The legs do swell, and also the privy parts.  
The colour is more pale.  
The appetite is more vehement.  
On the contrary, a loathing and abhorring of meat more soon and speedy.  
The Terms do issue forth about the thirtieth day after conception.  
If the powder of Aristolochia be tempered with Hony, and the loins and the secrets be anointed with it, it is thought to be an easy thing to discern the sex: that if the spittle of the child-bearing-woman shall be sweet, she beareth a man child, if it shall be bitter, she beareth a woman-child.  
The age also of women availeth not a little. For women which are young, do sooner conceive boys, but such as are somewhat aged, do sooner conceive girls, by reason of the defect of heat in the Matrix caused by old age.  
Likewise maiden-childrens are engendered by parents moist and cold by nature, of seed more moist, cold, and liquid than sufficeth.  
And it may also be observed by certain signs, whether the child be in good state in the womb or no. If the Babe be well, the Paps, as Hypocrates testifieth, are hard. If it be not in health, waterish milk doth flow forth from the dugs voluntarily.  
Again, if their Terms do issue forth oftentimes which are conceived with child, as Pliny averreth, they signify that the child is not in health and lively, but weak and feeble.  
Further, fat women commonly do bear feeble children.  
If the hydropsy suddenly invade and take a woman with child, and her nostrils, ears, and lips begin to be red, they portend and show that the fruit in the womb is dead.  
If a woman bear Twins, of which one is a manchild, the maiden-childe is in great danger, because they are nourished and prosper in the womb with a divers kind of nourishment, as Aristotle witnesseth. There is less danger if they be maiden-childrens: For under Maximilian the Emperor, a certain woman brought forth three maiden-childrens at one birth, all which came unto a perfect age.  
If a woman conceive before, or about the purging of her Flowers, infected and venomous humours will be mixed to the seed, of which, it is found most commonly, that Lepers are engendered (otherwise the learned do declare, that conception is not caused, but the Term's beginning or ceasing to flow.)  
If a woman conceive once, 
A superfaetation, or after-conception.  and a little time after conceive again, the last seed will hardly live in the womb. For Aristotle declareth, that a woman brought forth two man-children at one birth alive, and that the fifth month after she brought forth another, but dead before in the womb.  
If the Infant do proceed out of the womb after the ninth month, for the most part he is weak and feeble.  
If a young maiden conceive before her first Flowers, she engendereth an excellent and perfect Creature.  
All these things being declared, this also is to be understood, which Midwives are wont to observe concerning the issue to come, I mean, whether the woman shall bring forth more children: For how many knots they shall perceive to be in the Navel of the child newly borne, so many man-children shall afterward be engendered, as they say. But let it suffice to have spoken these things, concerning the signs of conception, many other things being omitted, which are reported and delivered.   

CHAP. VI Whether men and women may engender or conceive children of Devils, or Spirits; and again, whether Devils may have children by men and women.  
NO man doubteth, but that the deceits and sleights of the Devil are infinite: amongst which he hath that, whereby (as the sacred Scripture testifieth) he is able to transform himself into an Angel of Light, and to take unto himself the shapes of men or women, and to resemble them, the Righteous God permitting and suffering him; the which thing to be so, variable experience of things doth testify. Wherefore it shall not be needful to call that into question.  
But whether he may have carnal company with men and women, but especially, whether he can cause women to be conceived with child, needeth no question. No man doth deny, but that he may have carnal copulation with them, having taken the shape of man or woman: For, S. Augustine testifieth the same thing, saying, There is a constant report, taken from the testimony of them, to whom these things happened, that there be certain Spirits, Devils and savage people, which sometimes have alured women, and have had their pleasure of them; but the same thing is not only approved of the ancient, but among us also is found to be so by many examples.  
In a few years past, a certain Harlot, having her body lasciviously abused of the Devil, in the night, coming in the shape of a man, did straight way fall into a most great sickness, so that her womb and privity were quickly consumed with a consumption or rotting Gangraena, so that when no medicine could repress the hellish fury of the disease, her intralls also and parts about her secret members did fall out of her body. There was also a certain Butcher's servant, which making a journey, and thinking of Lechery, had a Devil to meet him in the beautiful shape of a woman, with whom he lay, not knowing he had any company with a Devil; but by and by, his privy members being inflamed with a fiery heat, were exulcerated with a speedy putrefaction and rotting. And indeed, God, who is always just and righteous, is wont to permit these things by his just judgement, for the punishment of wickednesses, and admonition of men.  
Cassianus doth deny this act, saying, that it is an impossible thing, that a Spiritual creature should have carnal copulation with men and women, neither that this thing ought to be believed: because, if the act go before, it is necessary likewise that sometime also the effect should follow, that is, that something should be engendered, which thing as yet may not be evident by any experience. Again, if this act were possible to devils and spirits, he saith, they would rather be mutually turned toward themselves, than to be commixed with men or women. Therefore concerning the truth of the matter, these things are to be accounted for the exceeding subtlety and deceit of the Devil, and wicked persuasion of men, so fare forth that we do not believe, that either the devils can cause women to be with child, nor on the other side, that devils assuming and taking unto them the form and shape of women may be conceived with child by men. For that never any man was borne without humane seed (jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, the only eternal Son of the only God excepted, conceived by the holy Ghost, and borne of the Virgin Mary) we affirm as a most true thing. Wherefore concerning that which is rehearsed of one Merlin, we entertain no otherwise than a Fable and a Tale agreeing with his name in the German tongue. He, which shall desire to know the History of him, shall find it at large in the one and twentieth Book of Vincentius, named Historiale Speculum, the thirtieth Chapter. Truly by the law of Nature, it is certain, that like things are engendered of their like, therefore a man could not be borne of the Devil, neither have we known at any time, that the most righteous and omnipotent God hath permitted so much unto spirits and devils, or granted them so large a licence, as that they should be able to engender and procreate children by men and Women, and as it were, to ordain and constitute their devilish issue & damnable brood in man created after the similitude of God. But if a Sorceress and Witch was his mother, she was not ashamed to gratify the Devil, to blab abroad so great and monstrous a lie to pervert the minds of many with this false opinion. She might have her body abused by the Devil, but she could not conceive a man by him. If he had not abused her body lasciviously, notwithstanding, he was able to cause her womb to swell by his devilish and despiteful practices, that she might think herself to be conceived with child by him. Also so long time being ended, as women are wont to bear a child in the womb, he is able to stir up grievous pains and pangs in the womb, and also craftily to put a child underneath her, brought from another place: also straight way to dissolve and repress those tumors and swellings stirred and raised up by some Windy vapours. For such a like thing is manifest in the experience of our times: For at Constantia (a City in Germany) a certain beautiful maid-servant of a certain Citizens, named Magdalen, being deflowered of the Devil, after she being cast into prison had utterly renounced him by repentance (moved by the counsel of devout Ministers of the Word of God, by Divines reasons) from that time she felt so great torments in her womb, that she did think almost that every hour she should be delivered of a child. But the help of Midwives being often employed, she voided iron nails, pieces of wood, broken glasses, hairs, tow, stones, bones, iron, and innumerable such like things through the Matrix, all which things verily the wicked Spirit had subtly and maliciously conveyed underneath, and brought in. The same Vincentius citeth some other Histories serving to this matter and question, in the twenty sixth and twenty seventh Chapter of his Book, named Naturale Speculum. Namely, that a certain youngman caught a woman by the hair of the head bathing herself in the Sea, about the evening, whom he took to wife, after he had brought her home to his house, and begot a son by her. But she not speaking a word at all hitherto, that her husband compelled her to speak, moved by instigation of others, which said she was a spirit, making a show as if he would murder the child begotten of her, unless she would declare her offspring, But she having uttered forth sorrowful things, to have vanished away, and also to have drowned this child, washing himself in the Sea, being grown to ripeness of age, and that he was afterward found in no place cast out to the shore side. Therefore that he was not a true man, although he was borne and brought up in shape of a true man. Moreover, that many did believe, that this spirit, which, by a false apparition did seem to be a woman, 
The Devil named Succubus.  to be a devil, which is named Succubus.  
It is not unlike to this, which he bringeth forth in the aforesaid place, Namely, that at Colonia Agrippina, many Noble men sat in Council in a certain Palace, sometime near the shore of the river Rhenus, which while by chance they did look down into the water, did see a certain soldier carried in a little boat, a Swan swimming before, drawing the little boat with a silver chain put upon his neck, suddenly to leap upon the shore, the Swan being sent away with the little boat, there to have married a wife, and to have begotten many children of her. And some years being ended, the empty boat swimming back again, and the Swan swimming before it, as he did before time, that the same soldier did return again into the same boat, and to have appeared to no man again, and that his children lived there a long time. But many have believed that he was a Devil, whom they named Incubus, who dwelling so long with the woman, and so many years in the shape of a man, having used such great coozenages and deceits, did show forth counterfeited tumors of her womb, and counterfeited births, children conveyed underneath, taken by stealth from some other place. 
Whether the Devil may conceive seed of men, and by the same seed cast forth into women, engender, or not.  But whereas many do labour by this persuasion, and contend, that the Devil, named Succubus, may be able to conceive seed from man, and by and by being changed into a Devil, named Incubus, to cast forth the same seed into the womb of a woman, and of her to engender a man; as it is most false, so it ought to deserve no credit at all. For it is most contrary and repugnant both to Religion, and also to Nature: For if this were possible, with how many monsters of wild beasts had we seen mankind, so long space of time to have been tormented and vexed of such a great enemy of mankind, by the change and alteration of seeds made in brute beasts, men and women.  
Wherefore Conciliator in his Book de Medicina, the twenty and fifth Difference, determineth well of these things, saying, We must know, that the testicles or stones of man, are the principal parts of the generative or begetting virtues, but not the sole or only parts, because the beginning of Generation is not caused by them alone, neither are they alone able to perfect Generation: For the first beginning is from the heart, by reason of vital and lively faculty and virtue reposed and laid up in the same, so that no living thing can be engendered without the help and aid of the power and virtue of it: For at last the virtue and faculty of the testicles, do consist by vital virtue, and natural heat. Wherefore, that the Devil, named in Latin, Succubus, may be able to conceive with men, and being changed into the Devil, termed Incubus, may cast forth the same seed conceived into women, and beget a man, is not only a fabulous thing to be spoken, but also impious, wicked, and odious to be believed.  
But whether the Devil hath power to steal, to carry, from one place to another, to convey and change children one for another, is a matter that needeth no great enquiry. For that some such like thing may be brought to pass some time, we must understand; but that it is not done by his own power, but by the permission of the most just and omnipotent God for the sins of men, especially when wicked Parents, having no religious care of their children, do not strengthen and fortify them with the blessing of God, and overwhelm them with the curse of the Devil. Therefore let all, because they are the children of God, learn to bring them up religiously, and to consecrate them to God, and not to object them to the maledictions of the Devil.    

The sixth Book. Of the diverse causes of Sterility and barrenness, and of the special maladies of the Matrix, and also of the diverse remedies of all of them.  

CHAP. I. Of the Sterility of men and women, also of the cause and signs of the same.  
We say, that sterility or barrenness, of which we have purposed to speak at this present, is not only a disability and unaptness of bringing forth children in women, contracted and caused by some cause that may be corrected and remedied: but in men also of engendering and sending forth fruitful seed. Aristotle attributeth this disability and impotency principally to fat men and women, because of the evil proportion, and ill disposition of the generative members, that is to say, in whom the seed is procured and derived from a more remote place, and so vital spirit enclosed in it doth vanish away sooner by that delay. But not only that habit and disposition of the body is a cause, but there are many other causes also beside of this difficulty and infirmity: For when we see oftentimes man and wife joined together, not to engender and beget children: but being separated both of them to procreate children: and on the contrary part, that those, which being coupled together, do beget children, are not fruitful when they are separated, it must needs be that without doubt there is some hidden cause. Where we think it will not be an unprofitable thing to declare and bring forth those things which are best known: For there are many outward and inward causes, which do concur together in this case.  
But as fertility and fruitfulness hath his helps and furtherances by many outward things, as in a convenient diet, in an accustomed temperature of the air, by baths warm by nature, such as are the Helvetian and Vallesian baths, with the waters of Embs: so also sterility and difficulty of engendering have very great help and secure by them, whereby they are caused and increased, as by an unconvenient diet, by the permutation and change of accustomed air, by drinking of the water of Ice, and by baths. Further, barrenness may be judged to proceed from the disposition and quality of the generative members: For it cometh to pass, that not a few infirmities and grievances do happen to them, by reason of which man and wife are not only made impotent and barren, but are unfit to dwell together; husbands with their wives, and wives with their husbands. In which place the strictness and narrowness of the mouth of the Matrix doth very much disprofit and annoy, by which it falleth out, that not only the Terms, being stopped, do let and hinder generation, but moreover, also do breed and bring forth very many other evils. Again, when the secrets themselves are too wide or too straight, and therefore are not convenient, neither for conception nor generation. Retention and staying of the Terms causeth the same thing, which doth much distemper and molest the Matrix, and suffocateth and choketh the seed cast forth into the womb through abundance of evil humours. Among women also, they which are over manlike, are not so apt for generation: and among men, those which are more effeminate and woman-like than is requisite; For these women almost universally, do want the issuing forth of the Terms at their due seasons, and also the nourishing humours: And such men being intemperately cold and moist, cannot send forth seed possessed with a generative virtue. Hitherto pertaineth both the weak and feeble attractive power of the Matrix, and also the sudden alteration of the same. For the attractive and expulsive virtue of the Matrix, either too strong or weak, do equally cause the difficulty of engendering. Likewise the maladies of the Matrix, tumors, inflammations, ulcers, Apostemes, the mouths of the veins, named, Acetabula, being broken, the Terms issuing forth immoderately, or stopped, and such like things do afford and minister great occasion to the same difficulty. Many also say, the veins placed behind the ears (to wit which give way to the spirits, which the brain communicateth and imparteth to the seed) being cut asunder, to be a cause to the same difficulty and debility of engendering, as Hypocrates admonisheth. They affirm, that the incision of the bladder doth bring the same, which of itself it is deadly: There are also many things, which being taken, do properly procure sterility and barrenness, as Camphire, Hemlock, and other herbs and roots like unto these, and all things which offend and hurt the brain, kidneys, and testicles, being the principal members of generations.  
Hitherto also belongeth many other things, 
Externall causes.  as over much repletion, emptiness, immoderate exercises, intemperate heat, deadly cold: Likewise Theophrastus doth attribute a certain peculiar force to some waters, to cause sterility. For the most part, diversity of complexions hath the superiority among the causes, when man and wife do want the due temperature of the qualities. But where they shall be mixed, yea, but little, they shall be able to engender more easily: Old age also of itself in men and women, doth hinder generation through the defect of humours, although it be found by experience, as yet, that many men being threescore and ten, or fourscore years of age, have begotten children. Lastly, there is also a great cause of sterility, which happeneth by the witchcraft of Witches. Let it suffice to have spoken these things concerning the evident and known causes of barrenness.  

Signs of barrenness.  Moreover, there are many signs whereby the difficulty of conceiving or begetting children may be noted and observed. The first are to be taken from the constitution and habit of the privy members, as if they be diseased with any corruption or defect, or be too large, or too straight and narrow, they are known not to be apt and fit for generation. The seed also is unfit, if it be too hot, or too cold, which thing they say may not only be observed by the colour of the urine, but also of the substance of the same. Also many judge of sterility and fruitfulness by the habit and colour of the body, that the women which are of a pale colour are supposed to be also more moist than others. If they be more moist, they are not so apt to retain and cherish the seed. This experiment following is put in practice of some: When they go about to make a trial concerning the unfruitfulness or fertility of any one, they pour the urine of the party on Barley. If this sprout out within ten days, they acknowledge it for a sign of fruitfulness: if it do not, they acknowledge it for a certain argument of sterility and barrenness: But others pouring the urine upon Husks, or Bran, if they see worms to be bred and engendered in it, do observe a sign of barrenness from that. Hypocrates doth counsel us to search out this thing by fumes made underneath, so that if a fume being used underneath, be perceived above by smelling, the woman being close covered about the lower parts, then, he saith, it may be thought to be a sign of fruitfulness, because the secret members are not strict and narrow: If it be not perceived by smelling at the nostrils, he saith, it is a very certain note and sign of the strictness and narrowness of the Matrix, and so consequently of barrenness. Some would have the same thing to be found out by anointing the corners of the eyes with liquid ointments, so that if the ointments of some kinds of colours being laid upon the corners of the eyes do not change the colour of the spittle, than it should be a sign of constipation and stopping, and therefore of barrenness also, because the eyes are members communicating with the seed, because they quickly sink down and wax hollow when it is immoderately sent forth and dispersed. Some old women likewise have their signs by which they observe whether the greater sterility or unfruitfulness be in the husband, or in his wife; for they sprinkle two hand fulls of Sage, laid severally by themselves, with urine, one of them with the urine of the man, and the other with the urine of the woman, and they say, that the handful which shall whither first, is a testimony of barrenness of the party, with whose urine it was sprinkled and watered. They receive the same experiments also by Beans and Barley, that whose part doth sprout first, in him or her, they think there is most fertility and fruitfulness.  
Further, we must consider here also, that fruitful women, and such as are apt to engender children, do sooner seem to be old in the outward habit of body, than those which are barren and fruitless, also they wax lean sooner, and become weak, notwithstanding they live more healthful in their old age, than they which never engendered any children, because in these the abundance of diverse humours retained and stopped, hath bred some worse thing, and hath given greater occasion of disturbing the temperate health of the body.   

CHAP. II. Of the cure and remedy of sterility, and barrenness, proceeding from Phlegm.  
THe causes and signs of the difficulty and hardness of conceiving in women, in men of causing women to be conceived, and in them both of begetting being already known; it followeth now to speak of the cure of them. And first of all truly, if that difficulty shall be bred and caused of moist and cold Phlegm, before all things be used, that superfluous matter shall be prepared and digested with this syrup following: Take of the roots of Madder the greater, two ounces, of Ruscus, or Butchers-broome, Sperage, Galangale, of each one dram. Mugwoort, Savine, wild Penniroyall, Balm, Balsamint or Costmary, Mints, Hartstong, Venus-haire, Gallitricum, or Clary, Sambucus, or common Elder, Origanum, Calamentum montanum, Penniroyall, of the roots of Valerian, of each half a handful, of the seed of Seselie drams six, Anise, Carui, or Caruway-seeds, of the seed of Fennell, Ameos, Spikenard, of each two drams, Xylobalsamum, Carpobalsamum of each one dram, Liquorice, Raisins, of each one ounce, Rosemary-flowers, Staechados Arabica, of each half an ounce, scrape of Ivory, Calamus aromaticus, Red-sanders, of each half a dram. Let all these things be beaten together, and make a decoction of them with running water, as much as sufficeth, and with three dams of Vinegar, and three pound of Sugar, let them be strained to one half of it, and add to the straining Cinamome one dram, Musk four grains. The party must drink four ounces every day in the morning of this Aromatical syrup very warm. Or you may make this syrup more thin, with water of Elder, Pimpinel, and Mugwoort, taking one ounce of each of them, and so to drink three ounces in the morning very warm. Or you may prepare another syrup in this manner: take Mugwoort, Savine, Mints, Origanum, Calamint, Hyssop, Pimpinel, Germander, Maidenhair, flowers of the common Elder, Staechados, of each one handful, Anise, Fenel, Ameos, Carui, the seeds of Dill, Sesely, of each half an ounce, of the root of Sperage, Butchers-broome, the greater Madder, of each half a pound, of red Cicers a little quantity (termed of the Physicians a Pugill) Spica celtica, Spica nardi, Galangall, Squinantum, Calamus aromaticus, of each two dams; mix them and make a decoction of them with running-water, with Honey and Sugar, of each one pound and a half, and let it be made aromatical and sweet, to the sense of smelling, with cinnamon and Musk, as is declared before. Three draughts of this syrup, to be taken every day in the morning very warm may be prepared in this manner: Take Oxymel squiliticum, syrup de radicibus acetosi, syrup of Mugwoort, of each one ounce and a half, of the waters of Pimpinel, Fenel, Mugwoort, of each three ounces. Let three draughts be made of this mixture.  
Afterward the matter being sufficiently prepared, and digested by these syrups to be purged out of the body, If the woman shall be of a strong Nature or Complexion, which is affected with this difficulty of conceiving, she may also take these pills: Take Pilulae faetidae two scruples, Species Diacastoreum one scruple, Diagridium six grains; make of them eleven Pills with syrup of Mugwoort or Hony.  
But if she cannot brook the use of Pills, let her use this potion in steed of the Pills Take Diacassia half an ounce, Electuary of Diaphaenicon, Electuarium Indum, of each two drams, syrup de radicibus, made without Vinegar, temper them with two ounces of Mugwoort, or balm water, and make a draught of them; or else take of the Electuary Diaphaenicon, Electuarium Indum, Diacassia, of each one dram, of the best Agarick two drams, Ginger one scruple, Sal gemma six grains: Let all things be infused in the whey of Goat's milk, and honey of Roses one ounce, and when they have been infused twelve hours, let them be strained and make a drink of them, being mixed with the aforesaid Electuaries. But if a dry Electuary shall better please the party, let three dry morsels be made up in this manner. Take Electuary Diaphaenicon, Electu. Indum, Diacassia, of each two drams, white Sugar, so much as sufficeth, and make three morsels gilded. If this shall not be so well liked, you may make this Confection in little roundells or Trocoisks: take red Roses, Cinamome, Ginger, of each one dram, Sanders, white and red, of each half a dram, Hermodactyli, Esula, of each one dram and a half, Diagridium, Turbit, of each two drams, Mastic one scruple, white Sugar half a pound. Dissolve all these things with the juice or water of Mugwoort, and after they have been infused in it some hours, let them be strained, and let a confection be made in little rundels, or Trochiskes. Let the Dosis or quantity to be taken, be half an ounce, or five drams: Or if you please you shall take of the powders, and shall mingle them with white Sugar in equal weight, and shall make a mixture of them (properly named Tragaea) of which you shall give one dram and a half in broth of Cicers very warm. Some do give the leaves of Sena beaten to powder two drams and a half after this manner. But these purging medicines are to be tempered by the counsel of skilful Physicians, according to the qualities of those things, for which they are given.  
Now such kind of matter being sufficiently purged, the next thing shall be, that the use of baths do follow, and so often as the woman shall come out of them, let her take one dram of common Triackle or Mithridate, in water of Mugwoort; Or if it like you better, let her take a little of this confection following: Take of the Species or kinds of Triphera magna without Opium, Diapliris, Diambra, Diamuscus, Diasatyrion, of each half a dram; scraping of Ivory, seed of the herb of Mercury, of each two scruples; the Runnet of a Hare and Matrix of it, of each half a dram, Sisely half a scruple, white Sugar half a pound. Let them be dissolved with Bawme-water, and let there be added to them being orderly boiled; Conserve of the rinds of the Citron one ounce, and conserve of Rosemary-flowers half an ounce; Let there be a confection made somewhat thick.  
But let her chiefest care be while she doth use baths, that she use a certain & convenient diet, and moderate feeding, which always must be prescribed and appointed of a skilful Physician.  
But if the woman cannot have such natural baths, a bathe may be prepared for her of these herbs following sodden in water.  
Take Mugwoort, Betony, Chamaepitis, Germander, Celandine, Clary, Bayleaves, Mallows, Feverfew, balm, wild Penniroyall, Origanum, Ozimus, Penniroyall, Rosemary, Savine, Melilote, St. johns-worth, Hissop, Cammomel, of each one handful; Carui, Cummin, Siler montanum, Anise, Dill, of each three ounces, Linseed Fenugrec, of each three ounces, roots of Cumfrey, Valerian, Stone-parsley, of each one pound, Brimstone one ounce and a half, Salt two ounces, Allome one ounce; Let all of them being mingled together, be put in a bag, and let them boil in water. And always every fourth day this bathe must be renewed again. As often as she shall leave bathing, let her take of common treacle, or Mithridate, as is spoken before; let her lie down in her bed, and let her provoke sweeting, if she can by any means: Or let her use the confection before described, morning and evening in the same manner. But when it shall not seem commodious to use this bathe, some of the aforesaid herbs may be gathered, and fomentations may be made of them.  
But when all these things shall not sufficiently purge the Phlegmatic humour, it shall be profitable to minister a pessary to her every night prepared in this manner: and let her use it until she shall feel herself freed from those superfluous Phlegmatic humours.  
Take Mugwoort, Savine, Margerum, Dittany, Wormwood, of each half a dram; Anise, Rue, the rind or outside of Frankincense, of each one scruple, the pulp of Colocynthis two scruples. Make a powder of them, and let it be tempered and incorporated with the juice of the herb Mercury or Germander, and make a pessary.  
Further, among all the medicines which bind the Matrix, we think that nothing can be better approved than this following. Take Acacia, Balaustium, or the flowers of Pomegranates, Akorne cups, the dross or scales of Iron, Mints, Lilies, bark of the Mastick-tree or Lentiscus, the outside of Olibanum, Anthera, Sumach, Tartar, Spike, of each half a dram; mingle them, and make a powder of them, of which, with the juice of Sorrell, or Fuller's teasel, named in latin Virga Pastoris, or with the juice of Milfoile or Yarrow, let Pessaries be made.  
But because sometimes it cometh to pass, that by reason of cold and moist Phlegm, 
How the ill-savour of the Matrix is to be cured.  the Matrix cannot only retain and hold the seed, but also doth offend with a noisome stinch and savour, therefore when this chanceth, we must use this medicine following. Take Galls, Nutmegs, of each three drams, Cloves one dram, Musk half a scruple, let them be beaten to powder, and dissolved with one pound of red Wine. When the woman will use these things, let her wash her secrets well with them, and lay clothes being dipped therein upon them, but let her do it especially when she goeth to bed.  
But if it pleaseth to use a more forcible medicine to restrain and bind the Matrix, you may then use this following. Take the root of Comfrey, Allome, Balaustium, Myrrh, Olibanum, Mastic, Colophony, Bolearmeny, Cypressenuts, Hartshorn burnt, of each one dram and a half.  
Let all things be pounded and reduced into a powder, and let the half part of it, or all boil in sour red Wine, a little Vinegar being mixed with it. Let the woman wash and bathe her secrets, with that decoction being very warm. Likewise she may sprinkle the dry powder upon them, and also lay a cloth doubled once or twice upon, being dipped and moistened before in that decoction. But if this shall profit nothing, or little, you must use also this pessary beside prepared after this manner.  
Take Allom, named in latin Allumen Scissile, Myrrh, Lignum Aloes, the hairs of a Hare cut into small pieces, Rue or Herbgrace, Bayberries, Doronicum, Cypressenuts, of each half a dram, Storax Calamita two drams, Amber, one scruple and a half, Musk, Allome, called Allumen Saccharinum, of each two drams. Let them be mingled together and brought to a powder, and make a Pessery of it with Oil of Myrtles.   

CHAP. III. Of the Cure of sterility arising from choleric humidities and moistures of the Matrix.  
WHen choler shall be an impediment to conception, before all things a good diet must be appointed, and a moderate use of all those things which do necessarily belong to the life of man and woman, to wit, sleep, watching, moving, resting, meat, drink, and the like things, and that all decline from that humour, to that which is cold and moist. Next after the convenient use of these things proved a little time, the anckle-veines of both the feet shall be opened, but specially when the woman shall abound with blood. But let her not have overmuch blood taken from her, because blood, as they say, is the bridle of choler. After the opening of a vein, the choleric humours shall be prepared with this syrup following: Take of the syrups of Acetosae simplicis, Oxysaccharum simplex, syrup of Endive, of each one ounce; waters of Succory, Hops, bugloss, of each two ounces. Temper them with yellow , Cinamome, and Mace, so much as sufficeth that the drink may be odoriferous. You shall give a certain quantity of this drink to her in the morning every day when her stomach is empty, and three hours before supper; or so often as it shall seem necessary: Or if it please you, for this drink you may give her this decoction reasonable warm. Take the flowers of bugloss, borage, red Roses, of each half a handful; Violets, Lettuce, the flowers of white Poppy, Endive, broad-leaved or garden Endive, of each one handful, Endive and Lettuce-seed, of each half an ounce, the Four Cold-seeds six drams. Mingle them together, and let a decoction be made of them in Fountain-water, so much as may suffice, or with an ounce and a half of the wine of Pomegranates and four ounces of Vinegar; and let two pound of Sugar be added to them, and let it be made aromatical with yellow , Cinamome, and Amber, of each one scruple. Let her use this syrup morning and evening the quantity of three ounces.  
Now the superfluous matter of choleric humours being prepared for purgation, it shall be purged with the draught following. Take of Cassia newly extracted, or the best Manna one ounce. Let it be tempered with this decoction following: Take Venus-haire, flowers of bugloss, Violets, Prunes, Tamarindae, Electuary de succo Rosarum, of each two drams: make a decoction, and mingle the Cassia or Manna with three ounces of this aforesaid decoction, and let one draught be made of it: Or take of choice Rheubarb, two dams, Spick-Nard six grains; let them be infused in Goat's milk with a little white Wine, and the infusion being made ten hours, let them be strained; and take three ounces of that which is strained, and one ounce and a half of the syrup of Peach-flowers, and of them mixed together, let one draught be made. If this potion do not like her, you shall give her this morsel following, confected in this manner.  
Take of the Electuary de Succo Rosarum, Diamanna, of each three drams, white Sugar, so much as sufficeth; let the Bolus or Morsel being gilded, be divided into three parts.  

How Citrine, or yellow choler is to be purged.  But if Citrine or yellow Choler shall breed this difficulty of conceiving to the Matrix, we must use these solutive medicines mixed together, a certain weight taken of them, as the counsel of a skilful Physician shall direct you. Namely, the Electuary Diaphaenicon, Electuarium Indum, Pillulae de Rhahabarbaro, and Pillulae Agregativaes. Afterward superfluous humours being sufficiently purged, the nature and habit of the Matrix shall be strengthened with this medicine following: Take of the Species or Simples of the confection of Diatriasandalon two drams, the scrape of Ivory, Viscus Quercinus, the powder of a Bulls Pissle, of the Matrix of a Hare, of each two drams, white Sugar half apound.  
Let it be dissolved with Rose-water, and let the confection or receipt be made in morsels.  
Or otherwise: Take conserve of Roses half an ounce, of borage, of the flowers of the water-Lilly, of bugloss, of each three drams; the Species of Diarrhodon Abbatis, Diatriasandalon, Aromaticum Rosatum, of each one scruple, Pearls, Powder of precious Stones, scrape of Ivory, Viscus Quercinus, of each half a scruple. Let all these kinds be dissolved with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Roses, and make a mixture of them, and an Electuary gilded.  
All these things orderly performed, let her wash in the bathe following, which may be prepared in this manner:  
Take of the both kinds of Mallows, Mater violarum, or Violet plants, red Roses, water-Lilly, Quince-leaves, of each one handful, Fenegrek, common Salt, Roach-Allome, of each two dams. Let all the herbs be shred in pieces very small, and being enclosed in a bag, let them boil in the water, in which the woman must sit. This bathe may be used every year, for there are four weeks together. But so often as she shall come forth out of the bath, she must take the weight of a Filberd-nut of the cordial Electuary before prescribed. Also let her make this Fume underneath for her womb after her bathe. Take of all the , of each one dram and a half. Styrax Calamita, two scruples, Amber six grains, red Roses, Water-lilly-flowers, Violets, of each one dram. Let them all be beaten together with Rose-water, and let Trochiskes be made with them. Also it shall not be unprofitable to anoint the loins and Matrix sometime with the ointment of Galen, or with the ointment named Vnguentum Sandalinum. Likewise she may use Pessaries in the night, in this sort prepared. Take Marrow of the leg of a Calf, Brain of a Hart, Butter made of Cow's milk, the Fat of a she Goat, seed of the herb Mercury, of each half an ounce. Acacia, Hypoquistidos, red Sanders, Styrax liquida, Horn of a Hart, burned, of each half a dram. Let them be incorporated with oil of Roses, and clean wool, and let Pessaries be made with them.   

CHAP. IU. Of the cure of barrenness, if it proceed from superfluous bloody humours of the Matrix.  
But because sterility and barrenness is not only engendered of Phlegm and Choler abounding, but is also bred of overmuch blood, and sometimes also other superfluous or corrupt humours are mixed with the same; we must first see by the signs of Urine, which of those humours do abound. If you shall find that blood alone is abounding, than such a diet shall be appointed, which may diminish blood, and minister small nourishment unto to it. If you shall perceive choleric humour to be in it, you shall order your diet to a cold temperature. If Phlegm shall abound in it, you shall direct the temperature of your diet to dryness. For it shall come to pass, that that superfluity, of what humour soever it shall be, may by little and little be prepared for a convenient purgation. But because the means is not commonly known to purge blood from those aforesaid humours, when it is mixed with them, it is to be inquired for of skilful Physicians: we will only prosecute that in this place, which pertaineth to the diminishing of the abundance and superfluity of bloody humours.  
Therefore when it is known and evident that abundance of blood doth hinder conception in women, let first the veins of the Ankle be opened in both the feet, and let a just quantity of blood be taken away. Which done, a bathe shall be prepared of such herbs as do incline to cooling and refrigeration. After the bath, the woman ought to use these Lozenges, or little Cakes. Take Cinamome, seed of Mercury, red Roses, Scrape, Pearls prepared, of each one dram: red Coral prepared, powder of precious Stones, of each two scruples, all the sorts of  half a dram, Sugar half a pound.  
Let the Sugar be dissolved in Rose-water, and let all things be decocted and boiled, until the Rose-water be wasted away: which being done, let one ounce of conserve of Roses be added to it, and all things being mixed together, let gilded Lozenges or little Roundells be made in such sort as they ought to be.  
Likewise an Electuary very commodious profitable for this use, may be prepared in this manner, of which let her take the quantity of a Filberd-nut always before meat. Take of conserve of Roses one ounce, of bugloss, borage, of each two drams, of the species or simples of Diatriasandali, of Diarhodon Abbatis, of each three drams. Let these Ingredients be tempered together with syrup of Roses, and let them all be incorporated together, and let them be gilded with the leaves of Gold, so much as may suffice, and let an Electuary be made of them. Also it shall be a profitable thing, that she should be bathed with a decoction made with these Simples following, made in rainwater, or in water wherein steel hath been often quenched. Take red Roses, Galls, Sumach, the seed of the greater Plantain, with the leaves, Comfrey, of each half a handful, Terra Sigillata, Bole Armeniacke, Roch Allome, of each half an ounce.  
Also a powder may be made of the Simples before prescribed, and may be boiled in the aforesaid water, in which a cloth sometimes doubled together being dipped and moistened may be laid very warm upon the loins and privy parts.  
Also this Plaster following being warm in the same manner may likewise be laid upon them.  
Take Musk six grains, Citrine, Sanders, red Roses, of each half a dram; oil of Roses one ounce and a half. Mingle them and make a plaster of them.   

CHAP. V Of the Cure of sterility proceeding from a melancholy humour.  
IF a melancholic humour abounding shall be the cause of sterility and barrenness. First of all, a diet must be appointed declining from the qualities of this humour, to that which is hot and dry. Care and sadness must be banished away, and mirth & joy must be procured as much as may be, but sorrows and pensiveness are to be omitted so much as is possible. Then the superfluous humour shall be prepared and mollified for purgation with this syrup following.  
Take syrup of Acetosa de radicibus, two ounces, syrup of Fumitary one ounce, of the waters of Harts-tongue and Mugwoort, of each two ounces. Let these be mingled and made Aromatical with cinnamon, and let there be made a clear syrup of them: Or else, take of the Waters of bugloss, Pimpinell, Fumitary, Mugwoort, Hartstong, of each three ounces; Vinegar one ounce, white Sugar four ounces. When these are made odoriferous with cinnamon, let them be made a juleb. Let the Dose or quantity at a time be four ounces: Or otherwise, Take Calaminth, Origanum, Staechados, Liverwoort, Borrage-flowers, Mugwoort, bugloss, Germander, of each half a handful, Hartstong, half a handful, the barks of the Broom, and Ash-tree, of each half a handful, Raisins one ounce, Mix them, and let a decoction be made with one ounce of Epithymie, Sugar one pound, clarified Honey half a pound, Vinegar two ounces.  
Let this decoction be spiced with cinnamon; let the quantity of an ounce and a half be taken with the aforesaid waters.  
The matter being prepared and made solutive for purgation; it followeth that it be purged and expelled with medicine: Take Cassia newly extracted, Manna, of each half an ounce. Let them be dissolved in this decoction following: Take Venus-haire, flowers of bugloss, borage, Violets, Germander, Hartstong, of each half a handful, Raisins half an ounce. Mix them, and make a decoction in water, to which add Cinamome a dram, Cassia extracted, Manna, confection of Hamech, of each two drams, syrup of Violets one ounce. Let all things be tempered together, and let a purging medicine be made of them; let the quantity of an ounce and a half be taken at a time: Or else, take of the confection of Hamech three drams and a half, Sugar a sufficient quantity, and let a gilded morsel be made, divided into three parts. Also the pills named Pilulae Lazuli, may be used, a dram taken at a time.  
The superfluous matter expelled and voided, the next thing to be performed, is to use convenient and fit baths for this purpose, which shall be prepared in this manner: Take Camomel, Melilot, Germander, Chamaepithys, Hyssop, Bayleaves, Lavender, of each two handfuls, Mugwoort four handfuls, Marish-Mallowes with the roots, five handfuls, Line-seed, Fenegrec, of each one pound, roots of Valerian, half a pound. Let them all be cut in pieces, and being enclosed in a bag, let them boil, in bathe let the woman sit afterward.  
But after the , let her eat every day, morning and evening a certain little portion of this confection following. Take of the Species of precious Stones two drams, seed of Mercury, scrape of Ivory, of each two drams, the Pissle of a Bull, the Runnet of a Hare with the Matrix, of each two scruples, white Sugar half a pound. Dissolve them with water of bugloss, and put to it conserveses of bugloss half an ounce, of borage three drams, cinnamon one dram. Let those things be powdered which are to be powdered, and let the confection be made in Morsels.  
But if the use of the bathe prescribed shall not be convenient, yet Fomentations may be made of the aforesaid recited Simples, this Electuary going before being always used.  
Further after the bathe, or fomentations, it shall not be unprofitable to use these Pessaries also in the night, and at any other convenient time.  
Take Costus powdered, and with oil of Roses and Silk make a Pessary: Or with Fenegrec, and the Grease of a Duck, or with Sperage-seedes and fat of a Goose: Or with oil of Violets, Musk, and the aforesaid seeds.   

CHAP. VI Of the Cure and Remedy of sterility proceeding of overmuch heat, dryness, moisture and coldness.  
AMong other impediments and hindrances of conceiving and engendering, immoderate siccity and dryness of the Matrix, is not the least cause. And that cause being found out, the use of all things is to be directed to a moist temperature; yet so as the body be not weakened by these things, but strengthened. Therefore it shall be very profitable to use these little Cakes often. Take white Sugar, one pound and a half, Amylum three ounces. Let the Sugar be dissolved with Rose-water, and the Amylum mingled with it, let a decoction be made with three ounces of sweet Almonds, and a little oil of sweet Almonds, and little Morsels.  
It is also exceeding profitable to drink Goats-milk newly milked with Honey or Sugar mixed with it. Likewise this bathe is wonderful convenient. Take Heads of Wethers, and let them be sodden in a Kettle full of water, so long till the flesh be loosed and part quite from the bones, which being done, Take moreover the leaves of Vine, named, Vitis Muscatella, of the Willow tree, Violet-leaves, Camomel, Melilot, of each two handfuls Marish Mallows with the roots, six handfuls, Fenegrec, Line-seed, of each two pound, roots of Valerian one pound and a half: let all things be mingled together, and let a bathe be made of them being sufficiently boiled. And it may be prepared so, that either the woman may sit in it, or make Fomentations of it. But after the bathe or Fomentations, she may take a little morsel of this confection the next hours after meat. Take of the Species of Diarhodon Abbatis, two drams, seed of Mercury, scrape of Ivory, of each two scruples, the Matrix of a Hare two drams, Cotton-seed, Tragacantha, Gum Arabic, of each half a dram, white Sugar half a pound dissolved in water of bugloss, conserve of bugloss, borage, of each one ounce; mix them, and let a gilded confection be made.  
But especially it shall be needful to moisten the Matrix, which shall partly be done by Fomentations used underneath in a chair enclosed and covered round about, and partly by Pessaries being thus prepared. Take Marrow of the leg of a Cow, Grease of a Hen, of each half an ounce, Styrax liquida two drams. Also four ounces of oil of sweet Almonds may be added to them, and let Pessaries be made with clean wool.  
But if conception be hindered through intemperate hear, that either the body is of an overhot complexion, or the secret parts are molested with intemperate heat: First of all, this heat shall be diminished by a convenient lancing and opening of the veins, the Ankle-veines in the left foot, and the Liver-veines in the right foot. Afterward purgations must be used, so much as reason shall require; but before them this Potion shall be taken for a preparative of the hot humours: Take herbs of Plantain the greater, Endive, Venus-haire, Polipodie, Fumirary, of each half a handful; red Roses, Violet-flowers, bugloss, Water-lilies, borage, of each a little quantity, named a Pugil, Raisins half an ounce.  
Let all of them mixed together be boiled in running-water, let one half be consumed and wasted, let them be strained, and to the straining, let there be added a sufficient quantity of white Sugar, and let it be made aromatical with cinnamon, scrape of Ivory, red Coral prepared, red Sanders, of each half a dram: Take three ounces of the aforesaid decoction, and let them be tempered with two scruples of Choice Rhubarb powdered, with syrup of Epithymie half an ounce, Cassia newly drawn one dram and a half, or Manna one dram: Or otherwise, Take of the Electuary de Succo Rosarum, three drams, Cassia newly extracted, Diasena, of each two drams; Temper them with an ounce and a half of the aforesaid decoction, or of findive-water; let a Potion be made of it: Or else, Take syrup of Peach-Roses one ounce, syrup of Peach-flowers half an ounce; Trochiskes of Agaricke one dram, Cassia newly extracted, two drams, waters of bugloss and Borage, of each one ounce; mix them, and make one draught. Pessaries also may be prepared, and be applied underneath, compounded with the juice of Mandrake, Mastic, Myrrh, Camphire, and Gum Arabic. But if the heat do not exceed, but shall be more temperate, then that which aboundeth, shall be diminished with Plasters laid upon the Navel and secret members, as with Vnguentum Santalinum, decocted in a liquid and thick form. In few words, we may proceed in the same order as we have prescribed concerning choler and blood.  
But if coldness and moistness shall molest and vex the secret parts overmuch: First the superfluity of them shall be mollified and prepared for purgation, by remedies declining from them to heat and dryness according to the prescript of the syrup following: Take of the herbs of Mugwoort, Betony, balm, Pennyroyal, Marjoram, of each one handful, roots of Enula Campana, Galangal, Saytrion, Parsley, Fennel, Asarum, of each two drams, Anis-seed, Amomum, Liquorice, Madder that Dyer's do use, wild Carrot, Siler montanum, Cummine, of each one dram, Raisins one ounce, Fountain-water so much as sufficeth, of Sugar, or clarified Honey a sufficient quantity. Let them all be commixed, and after the straining made, let them be made odoriferous with cinnamon, and let Oxymel squilliticum be added to it. Take three ounces at a time: Or else, take Electuarium Indum one ounce, Catharticum Imperiale half an ounce, waters of bugloss and borage, of each one ounce; temper them together, and make a draught; Or dissolve them with three ounces of the aforesaid decoction, and in like manner make one draught. There may also be use here of Pilulae Foetidae, and of Pills confected of Rheubarb. Purgation sufficiently made, let her take Pills prepared in this manner the quantity of a dram, when she is about to go to bed. Take Lignum Aloes, Xylobalsamum, Siler monnum, Asarum, or Asara Bacca, Mastic, Nutmeg, Anisseede, Fennel-seede, of each one dram, Spickenard, Calamus Aromaticus Galbanum, of each half a dram, Myrobalani Chebuli, Bellirici, of each six drams, Aloes two ounces; mingle them with syrup of Peach-Roses, and make a mass of Pills: let the quantity to be taken be one dram at once. To be brief, you may proceed in the same manner as we have before advised in the cure of Phlegm.   

CHAP. VII. Of certain general Precepts serving for the curing of the barrenness of men and women.  
A Great part of the Cure of the barrenness of men and women, consisteth in the use of exeternall things: which by our advice must be moderate, that the body do not become gross and fat, because fatness doth very much hinder secundity and fruitfulness. Also extreme leanness cannot be without fault in this case. Wherefore in both these, they must use temperate nourishments, which have not the Nature to inflate and to breed windy matter in the body. They must use Wine but little, and sparing and moderate meat. But principally, let women observe and consider the complexion and state of the Matrix, and let them warily mark their Terms, lest in the time when they issue forth, or when they are cleared from them, they use an inconvenient diet, but that rather they use most especially such things which are known to have an expulsive virtue and force to expel out of the body: such as are parsley, Stone-parsley, Fennel, the herb which the Germans call commonly Pimpinella, with the like herbs and roots of the same nature and quality. But that every one may be instructed concerning every case, we will give an Antidote and Medicine contrary to the complexion of every corrupted Matrix.  
And verily first of all, when the Matrix shall be distempered, and troubled with immoderate coldness, there is caused a stopping of the Flowers, bred and engendered by reason of an evil diet observed in meat and drink, whereby continual pains are felt about the loins, kidneys, secrets along the back, and other members of the body, and ever and anon horrible cold doth vex and molest them. When things are come to this pass, the use of those things is profitable, whatsoever are of a hot Nature, specially hot baths abounding with Brimstone, such as are the baths of the Helvetians or Swissers, especially named the baths of Badena (a City in Helvetia in Germany.)  
But it shall be very profitable to use this syrup or potion for a preparative of the mattet to be purged. Take of the syrup of Mugwoort, on ounce, Oxymel compound, half an ounce, waters of Mugwoort and balm, of each one ounce. By mixing them together, make one draught: But this drink following must be used for a purgation. Take Benedicta Laxativa, Cassia newly extracted, of each three drams, water of Pennyroyal, and Mugwoort one ounce and a half, mingle them, and let one draught be made. Also the confection of Diacastoreum is approved for this use.  
Likewise all their meats are to be seasoned with these spices, which have the Nature to heat, as with Pepper, Ginger, and such like. To be short, they must proceed in the same order as we have taught before in curing sterility coming from a phlegmatic humour.  
Further, if the Matrix shall be grieved with intemperate heat and dryness, the Terms will issue forth often, but so sharp, that often times the secret parts are diseased and exulcerated. In this case the diet, medicines, and use of all outward things is to be reduced, and brought to a cold and moist temperature, as it is in like manner declared before, in the Cure of barrenness proceeding from superfluity of choler.  
But because oftentimes conception is hindered of wind enclosed within the body, they must use meat and drink, which doth not puff up and breed wind in the body, but such as doth dissipate and disperse the same, and proceed in the same order, as we have taught before in curing the false windy conception, named Mola. And let these things be sufficiently spoken, concerning those things which rectify and remedy barrenness.  
Now in this discourse those things are not to be omitted, 
Helps of frutfulnesse.  which further and cause fecundity and fruitfulness. In this behalf many excellent profitable things are delivered of the ancient and latter Physicians, of which those which are chiefest, we have thought it a profitable thing to gather together, and to publish abroad to the profit and commodity of many.  

Suffumigation.  These Fumes first made upon the coals, and directed to the Matrix do please very many.  
Take Cypressenuts, Nutmeg, Mastic, Frankincense, Laudanum, Myrrh, Galbanum, Bdellium, Bay-berries of each one dram, Styrax-calamita, Styrax liquida of each two scruples, Cloves, Carui, of each half a dram, Amber two grains, Saffron one scruple, Musk five grains.  
Let all these things be mingled together with oil of odoriferous Spike, and let Trochiskes be made of them, with the which let the woman in the morning, being fasting, and in the evening, about to go to bed, receive a fume underneath.  
Also it will be profitable, to anoint the privy parts with this unguentum following: 
An Unguent.  Take Styrax Calamita one dram, Saffron, Mastic, Laudanum, Myrrh, of each one dram, Temper them with oil of Spike and Roses and white Wax so much as may suffice, and a Lineament be made: Likewise the brains roasted of Hares will do good in this case. But some do use the grease of Ducks, Geese, Hens, Hearts, and the like, to which they do mix the sorts of simples before prescribed, and make Trochiskes convenient to make a Suffumigation. Likewise you may use these fumes following: 
Suffumigation.  Take Pure Laudanum one ounce, Styrax Calamita, Olibanum, of each one dram; Lignum Aloes, dry Savine, of each one dram and a half; Amber three grains, Musk six grains; Let all these things be mixed and beaten to powder, and let Trochisks be made with a hot Pestle, of which being cast upon the coals, let a fume be made underneath thorough a tunnel: Likewise Pessaries may be made of the Mass or Lump of them; Or otherwise, Take Laudanum one dram, Styrax Calamita, half an ounce, Cloves, Lignum Aloes, red Roses, of each two drams, Amber half a scruple, Musk six grains; let all these things be pounded, and let Trochiskes be made of them in the manner aforesaid. Some of these also may be dissolved with Rose-water, and the mouth of the Matrix may be washed with it. Of these also Pessaries may be prepared. Here is also another thing very profitable: Take red Roses half an ounce, Frankincense, Mastic Myrrh, Sanguis Draconis, Bolearmeniacke, Myrtles, of each two drams, Styrax Calamita half an ounce, Laudanum half an ounce, Amber, Musk, Lignum Aloes, Cloves, Artificial Balsamum, Spick-Nard, of each half a scruple. Those things that are to be powdered, let them be beaten to powder, and let Trochiskes be made in the aforesaid manner, and let a Suffumigation be made thorough a tunnel with one dram of it. It hath been received for a truth of some acient Writers, that women, which did often eat the roots of Aristolochia with roasted Veal, should almost certainly conceive malechidrens.  

Pessaries.  But many of the later Physicians do counsel to apply these Pessaries underneath, the seventh day after the issuing forth of the Flowers for to rectify conception. Take of the root of Gentian, Saffron, Myrtles, Aloes, of each two drams; Line-seede Oil, so much as sufficeth. And let a pessary be made with them, which they say, will cause Conception within a few days after it hath been used.  
But Galen counselleth to drink Castoreum which is new, and any kind of Pepper taken the weight of twelve Barley corns in Malmsey, being mixed with the juice of Pennyroyal. The same Galen reporteth, that the Matrix of a Hare being dried and beaten to powder, taken in Malmsey to be approved of some: But it is certain, that the Fumes or Suffumigations before prescribed, to be most approved of many later Physicians: Also while we make mention of these things, we desire that all men should know, that we have nothing to do with the Sorceries and devilish Arts of some old Witches, concerning this matter. But let it suffice to have spoken hitherto of those things, by which sterility may be averted, and fruitfulness furthered.  
It remaineth also to speak a few words of those things which are to be ministered inwardly. 
Inward helps of fruitfulness.  For because the fruitfulness of man and wife may be hindered very much for want of desire to be acquainted with Venus, and by impotency and disability of engendering and effecting Conception, and also by infirmity of the seeds, caused either by the defect of Nature, or by the enchantments of evil arts: We will declare how all these things are to be amended in the prescript forms of these medicines following: But first let such a powder be made profitable and commodious for this matter.  

A powder.  Take the stones of a Fox, Castoreum, the Matrix of a Hare, dried, of each two drams: Galangal, Long-peper, of each two drams; Sugar equal to all in weight. Mix them, and make a powder, of which one spoonful is to be taken every day, morning and evening with Malmsey.  

An Electuary.  Also an Electuary very much approved, is very profitable for men and women, to be taken every day in the morning fasting, and in the evening when they are about to go to bed, the weight of a Filberd-nut, shall be prepared in this manner: Take the Testicles or stones of a Fox cleansed six ounces, red Cicers, Mints, Satyrion, wild Rocket, the root of Acorus, wild Carrot, the root of Gladiolus, or Swordgrasse, balm, Cresses, Ozimus, Pennyroyal, Vrtica, Fennell, of each two ounces.  
Let all things be made very clean, and being sodden in Sheeps-milke, let them be very well pounded in a Mortar, and let them be reserved for the preparation of this Electuary following. Next, take the Brains of Pigeons, Hens, Cocks, Sparrows, Drakes, Phesans, Stones of a Ball, of a lecherous Goat, of Boar's stones, of each three ounces: Let these likewise be boiled in Sheeps-milke, and being decocted, let them be incorporated with a little fresh Butter, with the yolks of Eggs, and let them be successively dried on the fire in Pans.  
Which being done, Take sweet Almonds, Filberd-nuts, kernels of common Nuts, Pine-apple-kernells, all of them being made very clean, and dried a little on the fire, of each one ounce; the pith of the Indian Nut, fat Dates, of each one ounce and a half. Let all these things be cut into small pieces, and beaten to as fine powder as may be; at last, take the dry Pissle of a Bull, Rocket-seed, of each half an ounce, the seeds of Anise, Baucia, Sperage, of the Ash-tree, Parsley, Stone-parsley, Radish, of each two drams, Long-peper, Ginger, of each three drams, the roots of both kinds of Satyrion, of each half a dram, the tail of the Fishes named Scinci, five drams; the tail of the Fish named Lacertus, one dram and a half, Let all these things be beaten to a most fine powder; And all things being prepared, confect and form the Electuary with six pound of Sugar, mixed with two pound of the Paste of the aforesaid things, or with four pound of clarfied Honey, and two pound and a half of the aforesaid Paste.  
Such an Unguent also may be prepared for the same use, with which the secrets and loins may be anointed: Take Oil made of the Eggs of Pismires or Aunts, of the Oil of Castoreum, of a Fox, Costus, Galangal, Elder, of each half an ounce; Petroleon, Oil of odoriferous Spike, of each two drams; the roots of Pepper, Pellitory, Euphorbium, Castoreum, of each half a dram; seed of Rocket, of an Onion, of each one dram; decoct all these things mixed with white Wax and Hen's grease, so much as is sufficient, and make an ointment of them. Let such a water be made for the same purpose: 
A Water.  Take An●s figs five ounces, Indian-nuts, the Fishes named Scinci, brought from beyond the Seas, the tail of the Fish named Lacertus, sweet Almonds, Pine-apple-kernells, Rocket-seed, of each one ounce, Vrtica, the roots of both the kinds of Satyrion, Hermodactili, Pepper, long and black, of each two ounces; Musk one scruple, the best white Wine, wine sublimated, of each one equal Measure; Let them all be mixed and infused, and haxing been set out to the Sune fourteen days, let them be distilled. If you will use this water, take half an ounce, with one ounce of the Electuary Diassatyrion, and drink them mixed together morning and evening very hot.  
Also these Pills are approved taken in the evening.  
Take of the seed of Rocket, Radish, stone-Parsley, 
Pills.  Vrtica, Satyrion, of each one dram, stones of a Fox, pissle of a Bull, of each two drams, the tail of the Fishes named Scinci, and the Fish Lacertus, of each one dram, brains of Cock Sparrows, Drakes, Cocks, Pigeons, of each half an ounce, Pepper, Galangal, long-peper, of each a dram and a half, roots of both kinds of Satyrion, half an ounce, Euphorbium, Castoreum, of each one scruple.  
Let all be beaten to powder, let them be incorporated with Hony, and let Pillls be made of them; Take the quantity of two or one dram.  
Another Electuary for the same purpose to be taken morning & evening, 
Another Electuary.  the quantity of a Chestnut shall be prepared in this manner.  
Take Satyrion-rootes half a pound, Dates four ounces, Mints, Ginger candied, or green-Ginger, jujubae, of each three drams. Let all things be mingled together, and sodden in Sheeps-milke, and pounded in a Mortar as is accustomed; which being done, afterward take Cock-stones, stones of a Wether, or of a Bull, or of a Goat.  
Let those things be decocted in Sheeps-milk, with a little fresh Butter, and the yolks of two Eggs, let them be dried in a Pipkin on the fire orderly. After which things, take clarified Honey, two pound and a half, of the Sugar named Tabarzeth as much as sufficeth. Let all these things be decocted in due order, and these powders following be mingled with them being boiled, take the Pissle of a Bull, of a Goat, Rocket-seed, of each one dram and a half; Galangal, Zedoaria, of each one ounce; cinnamon, Ginger, long-peper, seed of the Ash-tree, of each six drams; seed of Mercury, seed of Mallows, of each half an ounce, the pith of the Indian Nut, Pine-apple-kernells cleansed, sweet Almonds, of each one dram. Let all these things be brought to a powder, and let them be mixed to the decoction before prescribed, and let an Electuary be made of them. And now also let these things be sufficient to have been spoken concerning medicines to be received inwardly for the cure of barrenness & sterility.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the Suffocation and choking of the Matrix, and of the causes and cure of the same.  
IT remaineth also to speak a few things hereafter concerning the most especial diseases of the Matrix, which have greatest force to procure and cause sterility, and also to hinder conception and generation, such as are principally the Suffocation and Precipitation or falling down of the Matrix, the immoderate issuing of the Terms, and the stopping of the same: But we will speak first of the first.  

What the suffocation of the Matrix is.  We say, that the Suffocation of the Matrix is not natural, but that it is a forced and constrained ascending and rising up of the Matrix, or Mother towards Diaphragma, or the Midriff, whereby it cometh to pass, that the passages of the air are stopped, the Lungs and Arteries of the heart being pressed and thrust together, and the Lungs is prohibited and barred from amplifying and enlarging itself as it should; which passion proceedeth from windy and diverse vapours, arising from corrupt matter. And by this sickness, the breathing is hindered, the brain is molested, the Heart is restrained of his free liberty, the Lungs is crowded together, the senses and motions do cease, the Spirits are intercepted, the members of the body do deny to do their office, whereby it falleth out, that faintings of the faculties of life do happen, sudden swound do overwhelm the diseased, and sometime do deprive them of life, the Heart being suffocated; for which effect it is supposed, that it is therefore called in Latin, Suffocatio.  

The Causes.  We cannot say, that there are any other causes of this Malady, but the stopping of the Terms, contrary to the course of Nature, or corrupted seed, or else other depraved and evil humours enclosed in the Matrix, being dissolved into winds & vapours, and so forcing the Matrix to be heaved and lifted upward.  
The signs of this disease are twofold, 
The Signs.  one of the sickness present, by the fit which is present, the other of the disease to come, taken from the tokens of the fit to come. But the tokens of the present sickness, taken by the Present fit, are these signs:  
The women do hardly fetch their breath, 
Signs of the present fit.  the Pulse of the Arteries is seldom, their hands are continually laid upon their belly above the Navel, for to depress and keep down the Matrix rising upward, the habit and form of the body is bending downward, the colour is pale, when you speak they make no answer, the understanding is quick and lively without any voice at all, there is no motion of the body, and indeed nothing else but a similitude of present death.  
But whether life doth remain still in the body or not, in this extreme passion of the present fit, we may find out by these experiments and trials. Let feathers, or clean wool be put to the mouth of her which is afflicted with this grievous fit, the which, if they be blown away, or at least be moved, it shall be certain that there is life remaining in the body: Moreover, it shall be a more certain thing to place a glass full of water upon her breast, for life remaining as yet, must needs thrust and extend itself out, and so moving of the water must follow: Or else, a clean and smooth lookingglass is to be put to her mouth and nostrils, and if life be not departed, you shall see the glass stained by the hot breath: Which experiment seemeth to be most probable of all. Some do declare, that a certain woman was afflicted with this fit three whole days and nights, and at last to have returned to herself, being supposed to have been dead. We have seen the same thing to have happened in some women, for one natural day, that is, four and twenty hours together, through suffocation of the Matrix.  

Signs of a future fit.  But these signs go before a fit which shall follow, that is to say, pain of the head, dimness of the eyes, a continual panting of the heart, shortness of breath, distemperature of reason, because of vapours mixed with the spirits, a debility and weakness of all the members, cold sweats, continual pain in the womb. And indeed evil humours retained and increased in the womb, do cause and breed all these things, partly, near unto it, partly, removed farther from it, which distemper and molest the brain, and other members of the body, by stopping and intercepting natural heat proceeding from the heart, until they suffocate and destroy all the senses at once, and also the strength and forces of the body.  
But in the cure of the present fit of this sickness, first, you shall mingle Salt with Vinegar, 
The cure of the present fit in the suffocation of the Matrix.  and shall rub the uttermost parts of the members of the body, I mean the soles of the feet, and palms of the hands, and pulses of the arms; afterward binder's being tied near unto the secrets, the hips and hams, you shall apply cupping-glasses near unto the place without Scarification. Afterward you shall apply to her nostrils all things which being burnt have a strong and stinking savour, as Castoreum, Assa Foetida, Feathers, Hair, Leather, Horn, Hooses of Horses or Kine, or such like things: For these things stir up, and move the Animal spirit, being, as it were asleep, which by and by enforced with such a stinking favour, making haste to come to the brain by the nerves and instruments for the purpose, doth stir up the motive faculty in the same.  
Moreover, this motion by the great force of this strong savour, cometh to the heart with the Animal Spirit, where both of them together do repair vital spirit in the same, being oppressed, and, as it were, laid asleep. At last, all of them joined together, do oppose themselves against the Matrix, rising up towards the Midriff, and stir up the expulsive force of it, so that the corrupt humours being expelled which are in it, the Matrix may fall down, and give more room and space unto the superior vital Organs or Instruments. In this case, the dung of a Horse fed with Oats, boiled in the best Wine, drunk very hot is very much approved. Also half a dram of the confection Diacastoreum, taken in broth made of a Hen.  

An Unguent.  Likewise such an Unguent may be prepared wherewith her secrets may be anointed inwardly which suffereth this swooning: Take Musk one scruple, Gallia Muscata one dram, Oil of Lilies two ounces, Temper them and make an Unguent.  
Suffumigations also being thus prepared, 
Suffumigations.  from which a fume may ascend up to the nostrils, will profit in this case.  
Take Castoreum, Galbanum dissolved in Vinegar, of each half an ounce; Brimstone one ounce, Assa Foetida one dram. If you prepare these Fumes or Trochiskes, you shall confect them with Oil of Castoreum: But if you would use them with Vinegar, you shall put pure and clean wool into her nostrils, dipped in Vinegar, in which these powders are dissolved, or you shall apply it, outwardly to them. But if this deadly malady shall proceed from the Terms being retained in the Matrix, or from corrupt seed, it may be cured in the same manner as we will declare in the Chapters following.  
But if the cause of this disease shall come from cold, it will be the wisest course to use hot baths when due purgation hath been performed, such as are the baths in that part of Germany which is named Helvetia, (A certain diet, and order of bathing being prescribed and set down of a skilful Physician) because that water doth consist of much Brimstone, and some Allome, it sooner resolveth, dispelleth and driveth away cold, heateth the Matrix, and comforteth all other Members and parts of the body of a woman.   

CHAP. IX. Of the Precipitation or falling down of the Matrix, of the causes and cure of the same.  
THe Precipitation of the Matrix, is the departure and digression of the Matrix from her natural place into some other place, or the coming forth and outward appearing of it through the privities.  
This happeneth either by a fall, blow, or some other vehement hurt, or through wind enclosed in the Matrix, or corrupt humours, or by the intemperate moistness putrefying the ligaments and binder's of the same, or else through difficulty and painfulness of Aborcement, or the birth and negligence of Midwives, or by violent extraction and pulling forth of the Secundine, whereby it falleth out, that the ligaments and stay-bands of it are broken, and the Matrix is thrown down suddenly to issue forth. This removing of the Matrix is caused in a divers manner, that is to say, toward the right or left side, or lower, and into the forepart and hinder part of the body.  
But although the causes of these diseases may easily be judged and discerned by these things going before, yet they may as yet be divided into outward and inward. Outward causes are, 
Outward Causes.  falling, blows or strokes, some hurt, lifting of some thing which is of great weight, swift running, leaping, dancing, unseasonable riding, all immoderate exercise, and such things as are like unto them. Also long sitting upon the cold earth or cold pavement, long-tarrying in cold water, overmuch and often drinking of cold water: Also the violent breaking forth of the child, the hard and painful birth, the rashness of the Midwives, the violent extraction of the Secundine, often coughing, great crying out, vehement sneesing. The disease Tenasmus, binding the body, and all these things do minister occasions to the Matrix to fall down. 
Inward Causes.  The inward causes are, long stopping of the Flowers, with whose weight the Matrix being pressed downward, doth suddenly descend and fall down, the ligaments and binder's thereof being oftentimes broken in sunder: Also humours enclosed in the same, wind enforcing it, and removing it from her place. Likewise, overmuch humidity and moisture putrefying and corrupting the ligaments, or tying-bands, and by that infection enforcing it to issue forth. The signs of this disease are not unlike to the causes: 
Signs.  The party will easily rehearse the signs of the outward causes, Whosoever is grieved with this disease; But the inward signs are to be considered according unto the removing of the Matrix: For if it bend toward Diaphragma, or the Midriff, without any strangling or choking, we may perceive that the woman doth feel pains, and heaving above the Navel, to feel a round lump like a Globe in her belly, to fetch her breath and wind very short and quick, as though her bowels were swiftly crushed together with the hand, a dimness of the eyes, pain of the head, loathing of meat, and often belchings going before and accompanying it: sometimes also a sound of the belly being heard, especially when as the removing from her place shall arise from wind enclosed in the same. But if it shall fall down to the lower parts, than many pains shall be about the kidneys, loins and secret members, and a round lump is felt in the neck of the Matrix, with which the Bladder and Intestinum rectum, or the Fundament gut are so pressed together, that it is a hard and difficult thing for her to void her urine and other excrements, her urine also will be white and thick, bluish or black dregs gathered together in the bottom, almost no pulse at all, soft, slender, thick and disordered. But if by intemperate moisture of the Matrix, the ligaments and stay-bands of it are putrefied and rotten, so that for that cause it falleth down to issue forth, we must understand that this is caused without any pain; and when the case standeth so, stinking and filthy corrupt matter doth issue out of the Matrix continually. If it happen by difficulty and hardness of the birth, it will at all times appear out of the privities, but it will come forth being forced and constrained by great labours and exercises, and will stir up great pains between the lips or brimes of the same, being pressed together. Therefore all the qualities and conditions of this sickness and malady are diligently to be marked and observed, that all things may go forward the better in the administration of the cure.  

The cure of the suffocation of the Matrix.  It remaineth now to give diligent admonion and counsel also concerning the cure, so much as we have been able to know, and profitably to gather out of others. Wherefore if the Matrix shall be removed upward, without any suffocation, it shall be able easily to be reduced and brought into her place again with Fumes, Fomentations, or other things which have force to repel and drive back, as it hath been made evident and manifest in the Tractat of the former Chapter, concerning the suffocation of the Matrix. But if it shall remove toward the right side, Cupping-glasses are to be fixed on the contrary side without Scarification. Also let there be binding-bands made of cloth folded together, a little bundle compounded by the advice of some Physician of such things, as have force to move the Matrix, being put between those bands. When those things are enclosed with the binding-bands, let them be tied to that side into which the Matrix is removed, and let the woman that suffereth this infirmity, lie down upon them, and let her make a trial to repel it back. And those things bundled together, shall be balm, Camomile, Mugwoort, Melilot, Rue or herbe-Grace, and such like things.  
Moreover, 
A Powder.  she must take one spoonful of this powder following with wine very hot, her stomach being as yet empty, every day in the morning. Take Flowers and Berries of the Bay-tree, Hartshorn burnt, of each two drams, Myrtles two scruples, Aristolochia rotunda one dram, Mingle them, and make a powder: Or otherwise, take Peach-kernells in number twelve, Dissolve them with the yolks of three Egs. Afterward take Cinamome, Bay-berries, Aristolochia rotunda, of each one dram, Dittany half a dram, Nutmeg one scruple, Saffron half a scruple, mingle them with Wine and Sugar, so much as sufficeth, let a broth or meat be decocted of this, and let the woman eat it very hot next her heart, having eaten nothing before in the morning. For it serveth wonderfully for restoring the Matrix into her place, and doth mitigate the pains of the same.  
But if it fall downward, and appear outwardly by the secrets, first, the excrements of the belly are to be moved to issue forth with a Clyster conveniently, and likewise the Bladder is to be dis-burdened, also the womb is to be mollified with this bathe following, 
A .  that the Matrix may have the more easy regress and return into her place: Take Mugwoort, Camomile, both kinds of Mallows, with the roots, Fenegrec, Bay-berries, of each one handful, mingle them together, and let a bathe be made of them.  
So often as she shall come forth of the bathe, let the Matrix be cherrished with warm , and let it be anointed with the Mucilage made of the Kernels of Quinces, mollified with the water of Acacia, that it may be slippery in her return back. Afterward this powder following being sprinkled on it, being cherrished with a warm cloth, let it be put again into the womb: Take of the juice of Acacia, Myrtles, Pomegranat-flowers, red Roses, of each one dram and a half, mix them, and make a powder; And in the cure of this disease, let the woman lie in her bed upon her back, her middle part or hips lifted up in a reasonable manner, higher than the rest of her body, that the Matrix fallen down, may be repelled and sent back into the womb. And when it is reduced into her proper place, let her lie with her legs stretched out abroad, and let a large glass, or more glasses be fastened to her belly as she lieth, and let such things as are of good and pleasant smell and savour be applied unto her nostrils, as Amber, and such like things, that the Matrix may be drawn upward by the sweetness of the savour which it feeleth: 
A Fume.  Also you shall make a Fume for her as she lieth, which may only attain to her Matrix, but may in no wise come unto her nostrils: Take of the juice of Acacia, the bone of the Cuttlefish, Pomegranat-flowers, roots of Bistort, Galls, Cypressenuts, myrtles, or the leaves of each half an ounce, Mastic, Olibanum, of each three drams, Assa Foetida, one ounce, mingle them, and make a powder of them. After this Suffumigation, or Fume, let the Matrix be Fomented and comforted with hot Sponges, dipped in this decoction following, and applied one after another: Take Myrtles one handful, red Roses, Acorns, Pomgranat-flowers, Acacia, of each half a handful, mingle them together and make a decoction of them with red Wine until the half part be consumed and wasted away.  

A Pessary.  Afterward it will be profitable to use this pessary: Take Assa Foetida one dram, Mastic two drams, Myrtles, Frankincense, Galls, Cypressenuts, of each one dram and a half; temper them with oil of Myrtles, and let a Pessary be made of them, the length and thickness of one finger covered over with silk.  
Also this experiment is proved to be very profitable. Dissolve Garlick bruised in a Mortar so in water, that it have no thickness left in it, let the Matrix be washed with that water, and being sprinkled with this powder following, let it be put into the womb again: Take Pine-apple-kernels burned, Hartshorn burned, Frankincense, Mastic, of each one dram, mix them and make a powder. 
How the Matrix is to be retained being brought into the womb.   
Now the Matrix being reduced into the womb, and settled again into her proper place, we must use Ventoses or Cupping-glasses, and what things soever have retentive force to draw the same. Some do acknowledge this thing for a certain experiment, to lay Nettles being well bruised, upon the belly, like a plaster, and not to be removed from thence for a good while, for by that means the Matrix will both be drawn back, and also retained and held still being reduced into her proper place.  
But that the Matrix being reduced and brought into the womb, may remain and continue there, nor suddenly fall down again, it must be strengthened according to these precepts and rules following: First, let the woman lie a whole day upon her back, after the reducing of the Matrix into her proper place. But the next day, let her sit in a bathe boiled with these herbs, about the space of one hour.  
Take red Roses, Myrtles, seed of Sumach, 
A .  leaves of the Meddler-tree, of a Service-tree, the bark of an Oak, Acorns, Origanum, Sage, Rue, Comfrey, of each a handful; let them all be mixed and beaten together, and let a decoction or bathe be made with them in rain water, or in water in which burning-iron hath been quenched.  
When she cometh out of the bathe, let her drink this powder boiled in Wine, very hot: Take Rue, Mugwoort, of each half a handful, Castofeum two drams, mingle them and make a powder of them; Then take the best white Wine, so much as sufficeth, strain it, and to the straining add two drams of Mithridate: And let a hot Potion be made of it.  
Afterward the secrets are to be Fomented and bathed nine days together, and likewise Pessaries are to be used.  

A Plaster.  And the tenth day this Plaster following spread upon white Leather shall be laid to the lowest part of the belly, and to remain there for some weeks together. But let the Cerot or Plaster be made in this manner: Take Frankincense, Mastic, Opopanax, Turpentine, Galbanum, Serapium, Rosine of the Pinetree, Styrax liquida, Colophony, of each two drams, yellow wax three drams, temper them together, and let a Cerot be made with them: Or else, Take Galbanum half a dram, Gallia Muscata one dram, Cloves half a dram, Rosine of the Pinetree and Colophony, so much as sufficeth, mix them, and let a Cerot or Cerecloth be made of them.  
We let pass here of set purpose, nor without great cause, something in this Cure, which is only known to the learned and skilful, which may be demanded of them so often as need shall require.  
Further, you shall consider, that when the aforesaid sickness shall arise from cold, wind, or overmuch moistness of the Matrix, that you must proceed altogether in the same manner, which we have prescribed and set down before, discoursing of the windy and waterish false conception, named Mola, I say, concerning a Tympany and hydropsy.   

CHAP. X. Of the superfluities of the Terms, and of the Cure of the same.  
EVen as the Terms may be stopped contrary to the course of Nature: so they may issue forth too immoderately, contrary to the custom of Nature: and as by them being stopped, so by them flowing abundantly, many diseases are caused unto women, as Hypocrates doth advise us. But as the natural issue of the Terms, which otherwise we call the Menstrual, 
The unnatural issuing forth of the Terms.  or monthly purgation, should issue forth every Moon naturally, in women being well disposed in body and age, I say, from the third or fourth day after the new-moon, until the eighth day (although in this case there be many differences of ages, complexions, and disposition of body) so we say, that issuing forth of the Terms not to be natural which passeth beyond that time. And we say, that this doth happen two ways, that is, outward and inward Causes.  
The outward causes are these, 
Externall Causes.  as if some little vein be broken in the mouth or neck of the Matrix, through immoderate exercise, or some hurt chancing unto it, as over-lifting, stroke, fall, violence, or exulceration: Also some such like thing, may be caused by aborcement and hard birth, and also by the ulcers or sores of the Matrix. Notwithstanding, it happeneth sometime that Fluxes and issues are found to be in women conceived with child every month, yet they are never the weaker by them, neither do they subtract or withdraw any nourishment from the Infant.  
Inward causes are to be judged and discerned from Nature itself, or from the blood. 
Internal Causes.  From Nature, when she being strong doth expel the blood, or being feeble and weak cannot hold or retain it: For the blood, when it is too hot or sharp, or over cold and thin; again, when by idleness, immoderate meat and drink, too much nourishment is afforded to the blood.  
Moreover, certain signs do happen, 
Signs of the Causes.  by which it may certainly be found out, whether they come from an outward or inward cause. If the Flux happen from an outward cause, as from a vein being broken through some immoderate exercise, by some hurt or fall, than the colour of the blood will be red at the first, but by and by blackish, or black. If it issue forth straightway it will appear in his natural colour, but being retained sometime in the Matrix, it will issue forth with an ugly and thick colour; if it shall remain there long, it will be altogether full of corrupt matter. But if the blood shall issue forth because of ulcers and sores of the Matrix; First, it will be clear and thin, but by & by it will be full of filthy matter without all colour. If the strong and mighty force of Nature do expel it, than it will be done without pain, that also the body is alleviated and eased by it, because Nature voideth no more of that which is engendered, but that which is superfluous either in quality or quantity. If it shall happen by defect of retentive virtue, it will issue forth by drops, by little and little, and disorderly, without any intermission, and the woman which shall be affected and afflicted with this issue, shall wax pale, lean and very feeble in all her members, but the blood doth retain still his natural colour, and flowing abroad, it doth not burn, bite, or molest with any pains: But the cause of this Flux for the most part, doth happen to women, having passed beyond the fiftieth year, when as their Terms do generally departed away. When it chanceth to young women, oftentimes it happeneth by vehement and grievous fits of a Tertian, Quartan Ague, and pains of the head: For these things do dissipate and drive away Natural virtue and power, and do easily bring upon them such a Flux and immoderate issue. If it proceed, and be caused by intemperate heat or acrimony and eagerness of the blood, the issue doth burn, bite, inflame, and corrode the entrance and mouth of the Matrix. The woman pained with this passion, doth endure intolerable thirst, and her lips are grieved with chaps, bred and caused by most sharp and hot vapours of the blood fuming and steaming upward. Most grievous dolours and pains are felt in the nipples of the Dugs, by reason of the affinity and fellowship that they have with the Matrix. The blood resembleth the colour of Saffron, and is black; neither doth it issue forth copiously, although it be constrained. If it arise through subtlety and thinness of the blood, than the blood is pure and clear, and the Flux is small: If heat be mixed with it, it shall easily be discerned in the Matrix, and by other tokens and signs: If cold be mixed with it, it shall in like manner be observed and found out: If the blood shall issue forth, because it is liquid and thin, the cause of this, is the evil disposition and state of the body, and the debility of the concoctions, caused and engendered by abundance of many moistures and winds, or vapours enclosed and imprisoned in the Matrix. But if you will have certain knowledge of the humour constraining this unnatural issue, look upon a linen cloth slightly coloured, and dipped in the menstruous blood; If the colour of it doth incline to redness, you may know that the cause of the Flux doth proceed from blood: If it bend toward Citrine, or yellow colour, from Choler; if it incline to whiteness, from Phlegm: But if it incline to a black colour, you may know the cause of the Flux to arise from Melancholy.  

What Fluxes are to be stopped.  Further, you shall consider, when as the Flux: shall be tolerable, and easy to be endured, which doth not make the body lean, nor weaken it, but doth dis-burden it, and make the same more light and nimble, that such a Flux is enforced and moved by natural virtue and power, only expelling and voiding that, which is superfluous in the blood, and therefore such Flux and issue ought not to be restrained or stopped. But if the contrary thing happen, it is to be restrained and stayed altogether, lest it bring the Patient to choleric Fevers, because that blood being evacuated and exhausted, Choler doth bear the whole sway, and play the Tyrant, and being freed from his bridle doth furiously vex and torment the Patient: For blood, as it is commonly said, is the bridle of Choler; But because also natural colour is nourished & cherrished with blood, that flowing away, it is necessary that a defect and decay of heat must follow and ensue, and by that all the members and parts of the body to wax cold, the whole body to be debilitated and weakened, the whole appetite to be taken away, the concoctions to be hindered, the Consumption and hydropsy, and also other most miserable diseases at the last to hasten after the same  
But because it is not sufficient to know the diversities of the diseases only, unless we be resolved likewise of the fit and convenient cure of repelling them: we will hereafter also declare a few things of many, which shall seem to be the choicest and most special, concerning the cure and remedy of these evils. And as the Causes of these Fluxes and issues are inward and outward: so the cure shall be inward and outward also.  

The inward cure of unnatural Fluxes.  And truly first of all, if this unmeasurable or unnatural Flux shall happen by some inward cause: before all things, the diet and use of all outward things shall be ordered and directed to a cold and dry temperature, that blood may decrease and be diminished. Therefore it will greatly profit to decoct and seethe all convenient and agreeable meats in Milk, or Water, in which Steel red-hot hath been quenched, and to eat Colewoorts boiled with Lentils or Beans: Or if it please you, such a decoction shall first be prepared; wherein other meats afterward shall be boiled.  
Take Plantane-leaves, flowers of Woolblade or Lungwoort with the leaves of each one handful, the roots of Symphytum or comfrey one ounce, mingle them together, and boil them with water or Milk in which burning Iron hath been quenched, strain it, and squeise it out hard: With this decoction all other meats may be prepared, as Almonds, Lentils, Beans, the grain Milium, Rice, Amylum, and the like things: roasted flesh is to be preferred before sodden: Also sauces may be prepared of the juice of Goose-berries, Sorrell, and Barberries', to be mingled with other meats. Let her abstain from Spices, and all things which are of a hot nature, but specially from Saffron: Let her drink thick red Wine, allayed with water wherein Steel hath been quenched. It will likewise be profitable, that Gold should oftentimes be extinguished and quenched in that Wine, after it hath been made red-hot in the fire. Let her use no exercise, but as much rest as may be; Let her use much sleep, let her wholly shake hands with Venus, and fly from her as from a deadly poison. Her belly being constipated and bound by reason of this continual Flux, shall be relaxed and unloosed with a gentle Clyster; but thou shalt not by any means restrain and stop the Flux, unless it shall induce and bring debility and feebleness, lest thou oppose thyself against Nature, of her own accord expelling and voiding out superfluous things, when thy resistance shall procure great evil.  

When, and how Fluxes are to be restrained.  But when necessity shall require, then at last it will be convenient and profitable to bind and stop this Flux. And first of all, you shall use this powder, of which you shall give one dram to be drunk at a time, in water, in which Gold heat red-hot hath been quenched. And the powder shall be thus prepared. Take Terra Sigillata, Carabe or Amber, Succus Acacia, of each half an ounce; Hypocistis or Hypoquistidos, Hartshorn washed and burnt, the Runnet of a Kid or Hare, of each two drams, red Coral prepared and beaten to powder, one dram; Gum Arabic, Costus, Sanguis Draconis, Bolearmeniacke prepared, of each one dram and a half, Comfrey, flowers of Quinces, the pills or rinds of Pomegranates, of each one dram, Pearls prepared, one scruple, Mumia half a dram, Myrtles, Olibanum, of each one dram, Lapis Haematites or the Bloodstone; roots of the water-Lilly, of each one dram and a half; Mix them all together, and let a powder be made of them. Also you shall not unprofitably give this powder following to be eaten in an Egg: Take Bole-Armenie prepared, Terra Sigillata, red Sanders, Anthera, of each one scruple and a half, Rinds of Pomegranates, Acorne-cups, Nutmeg, of each half a dram. Mix them, and make a Powder: Or let her use this Electuary, morning and evening: Take of the Antidote Athanasia, Micleta, of each one ounce; old conserve of Roses one ounce and a half, Rinds of Pomegranates, Acorne-cups, Nutmeg, Coral prepared, of each one scruple and a half, Pearls prepared half a scruple, Terra Sigillata half a dram; Sanguis Draconis, Bole-Armenie prepared, Lapis Hematites, of each one scruple; Temper them with syrup of Pomegranates as much as sufficeth, and let an Electuary be made of it. Add to it, if need be, Philonium Persicum one dram. Moreover, against Thirst, Water wherein red-hot Steel hath been quenched, mingled with the syrup of Quinces and Pomegranates, and with the juice of Gooseberries, and Acetosa simplex, shall be prepared for her drink.  

Compound Medicines.  But because the ancient Physicians have many times been accustomed to use compound medicines, not without praise, in restraining and stopping this unnatural Flux, we will hereafter also bring forth some of them.  

An Electuary.  First of all, you shall prepare an Electuary, of which you shall give half a dram every day in the morning when the stomach is empty, to the woman which is grieved with this Flux, dissolved in red Wine, wherein Steel hath been quenched. Take roots of Comfrey & Plantain, as much as sufficeth; Let them, being boiled well, be brayed in a Mortar, and let them be strained a thorough strainer made of horse-haires.  
Take of the Paste of Comfrey two drams; of the roots of Plantain one dram and a half, Sugar one pound; dissolve the Sugar in rainwater, or water wherein Iron red-hot hath been quenched, or temper them together in Plantan-water, in which Lapis Haematites hath been dissolved, until it be red, and boil all, being mixed together, with a little and easy fire, and when they are are boiled and cooled a little, put to them these simples following: Take Sanguis Draconis, Succus Acaciae, seed of Sumach, Terra Sigillata, Amber, Hartshorn burned and washed, of each one dram, Pearls prepared four scruples, red Coral prepared one dram and a half, Spodium, Lapis Haematites, Parsley-seed, of each two scruples; mix them, being beaten to powder, and make an Electuary in a dry Form, to be divided into Morsels▪ 
Another Electuary.  Or prepare another Electuary in this manner. Take old conserve of Roses one ounce, Diacydonion cum saccharo sine speciebus three ounces, Diarrhodon specierum Abbatis, Corals red, prepared and powdered, four scruples, Pearls prepared one dram, Trochiskes the Carabe, de Terra Sigillata, of each two scruples, Spodium, Lapis Haematites, Mumia, of each of them half a dram. Temper them with syrup of Pomegranates, and make a gilded Electuary, of which let the quantity of a Chestnut be taken every day, morning and evening, and let it be drunk, being dissolved in red-Wine, wherein Steel red-hot, hath been quenched. Also the Party may take these Pills following, seven of them taken every morning when the stomach is empty as yet fasting. Take Mumia, Frankincense, Mastic, Hartshorn burned and washed, of each half a dram, the Runnet of a Hare or Kid, four scruples. Temper them with Plantane-water, in which Gum Arabic may be dissolved, and let Pills be form of it. Also Mesue doth commend in this case Pilulae de Bdellio, Majores and Minores to be taken, one dram at a time. Notwithstanding also these Pills following do profit. Take Terra Sigillata, Bolearmeniacke prepared, Galls, Sanguis Draconis, Runner of a Kid, of each one dram, Camphire two scruples; mix them, and let Pills be made with syrup of Myrtles; a dram to be taken at a time.  
There is also no less consideration, and respect, to be had of the cure to to be used outwardly than of the inward hitherto handled and entreated of: for there are many things, which applied outwardly do wonderfully profit for the curing of these Fluxes; But first of all, such a bath or fomentation is to be prepared. 
A  or Fomentation.   
Take Cauda Equina or Horse-tail, leaves of the Mulberry-tree, of the Peartree, of Sloes, of Services, of the Meddler-tree, the inward barks of the Oak, red Roses, Virga Pastoris, or Fuller's teasel, of each two handfuls, Galls, Myrtles, of each one pound, Meddlers, Services, Acorne-cups, of each two pound; mix them together, and let a bathe or fomentation be made of all of them in water wherein Iron red-hot hath been quenched. If it be not convenient to use this bathe or fomentation, you shall prepare such a Fume to be received by a tunnel. 
A Fume.  Take Colophony half an ounce, Spodium, Bolearmeniacke, Blatta, Byzantina, black Poppy, Henbane, of each two drams, mix them, and make a gross powder: Or else you must use this experiment very well approved: Take the barks of the Pitch-tree, used of the Curriers already in their work, one pound, the inward parts or inward kernels of Galls, bunches of Grapes dried, let these being mixed together boil in water wherein red-hot Steel hath been quenched, and let the woman convey that fomentation into the Matrix by a Tunnel: and that being done, let her eat a Morsel for to comfort her of the Electuary before prescribed.  
Also Vnguentum Comitissae is approved, the which because it is known unto the Apothecaries; It was not needful to set it down. But if that cannot be gotten, you may profitably use this Unguent following prepared in this manner: Take oil of Myrtles, four ounces, juice of the greater Plantain two ounces, powder of Mastic, two drams, Sumach-seed, Succus Acaciae, Hypocistidos, Myrtles, Terra Sigillata, Bole-Armeniack, of each two ounces and a half, Spodium, Barley burned, red Roses, of each one dram, Mingle them with Wax so much as sufficeth, and let an Unguent be made of it.  

A soft ointment.  Also, such a soft ointment very profitable may be made: Take the juice of Comfrey, of both the kinds of Plantain, Cinquefolie, or five-finger-grasse, of each a like, a little Vinegar, mix all things together, and lay Linnen-clothes moistened in them upon the belly and loins: Or you shall prepare another in this form: Take Succus Acaciae, Hypocistidos, Psidia, 
Another soft ointment.  Terra Sigillata Trochiskes de Carabe, Colophony, of each half an ounce, mingle them together, and let a powder be made of them, which you shall use in manner of a Cataplasm tempered with the juice of Plantain, applied to the foreparts and hinder-parts.  
Also such a Plaster not unprofitable may be made: Take the powder of Hartshorn burnt, 
A Plaster.  Paper burned, the dross of Iron, of each one ounce. Acorne-cups two ounces, mix them, & make a powder, with which tempered with the white of an Egg, a little Vinegar and Plantane-water, let a plaster be made. A certain other plaster shall be prepared in this manner: Take Mastic, Olibanum, Mumia, Sanguis Draconis, of each one ounce, Flea-beane burnt, Allome, roots of Walwoort or Ass-ear, Psidia, Pomegranate-flowers, of each equal parts, of all of them, being beaten to powder, half an ounce, Earthworms pounded, Frankincense, of each, two drams, Mix them together and make a Plaster of them with the white of an Egg, a little Vinegar and Plantane-water.  
Again, let another Plaster be thus made, to be used after the manner of a soft ointment. Take the juice of Plantain mixed with Vinegar, steep leather of a Cows hide in that M●●ture, Afterward boil it, and dip a cloth sometimes folded together in that decoction, and apply it in manner of a soft ointment. But if you shall use all these things in vain, at last you shall use these Pessaries, 
Pessaries.  having wonderful power to bind. Take Triphera Magna, Micleta, Athanasia, of each one dram, Hypocisthidos, Succus Acaciae, Bole Armeny, Sanguis Draconis, roots of Comfrey, Plantain the lesser, or Ribwoort, Galls, Psidia, of each one dram. Let all of them be mixed and incorporated with juice of Plantain and Rue, and let Pessaries be made of them: Or else, take unripe Galls burned quenched with Vinegar, two drams, Gum Arabic half a dram, Sanguis Draconis, powder of the roots of Walwoort or Ass-ear, Sumach, Mastic, Acorn-cups, Hypocisthidos, Acacia, Hartshorn burnt, Colophony, Myrrh, dross of Iron, of each one dram, Camphire, one scruple, mingle and incorporate all together with the juice of Knotgrass, Houseleek, Nightshade, Wormegrasse, or Stonegrasse, and of Plantain as much as sufficeth, and let a Pessary be made of it: Or otherwise, Take the ashes of Egs-shels burned, the shells of Crabfish, Sanguis Draconis, Bole Armenia, Oxe-dung dried, of each two drams, leaves of Silver or Gold most diligently beaten, one dram, Hair of Goats, of Hares, Cotton, all burned, of each half a dram, temper them with the juice of Rue and Plantain, so much as may suffice, and let a Pessary be made of it.  
But if intemperate heat of the blood shall enforce the Flux, 
If the Flux do arise from the heat of the blood, how it is to be cured.  and shall engender great thirst, the diet shall be directed to a cold and dry temperature, and the use of all outward things to be ordained and disposed of as they may strengthen and make the body prosper. Let her drink Water, wherein red-hot Steel hath been quenched, mingled with syrup of Pomegranates: And such an Electuary may first be prepared, of which let her eat morning and evening, and after meat a little morsel, the bigness of a Chestnut; Take old conserve of Roses one ounce, Diaolibanum two ounces, red Coral prepared one dram, Pearls prepared one scruple, Cummin-seed, infused the space of a day in Vinegar, one dram and a half, dry Mints four scruples, Olibanum two scruples, Mastic, Cypress-nuts, roots of Bistort, of each half a dram, Spica Indica one scruple. Let all things that are to be beaten to powder, be powdered, and let an Electuary gilded be made of them, being tempered with syrup of Pomegranates, so much as sufficeth: Also she shall use these pills following, five of them taken in the morning, or three hours before supper, the weight of a dram. Take Frankincense, Mastic, Mumia, Allom, Hartshorn burned & washed, Cypressenuts, Runnet of a Hare or Kid, of each a dram, Gum Arabic one dram, mix them, and let a mass or lump be made wherewith pills may be form, with the juice of the Thistle named Carduus Mariae, our Lady's Thistle, or white Thistle. Here also Pilulae de Bdellio prepared with the juice of a Leek.  
This Plaster prepared either in a hard, or liquid form, after the manner of an Unguent, shall have great efficacy by anointing the woman with it, before and behind. Take oil of Mastic two ounces, oil of Myrtles, juice of Mints, red Roses, of each one ounce, powder of Mastic two ounces, Cypressenuts, Mumia, Bistort, Olibanum, Myrtles, red Roses, of each two drams, Chalk burnt, Allom, Galls, Acorne-cups, of each one dram, Bowl Armeniack, Terra Sigillata, of each half a dram, white Wax, so much as sufficeth and let a Plaster be made of them.  
After she hath been anointed with this Unguent, she shall wear this Cere-cloth following continually, laid before and behind upon her.  
Take Mastic one dram and a half, Laudanum, Olibanum, of each two drams, Galls, Cypressenuts, Bistort, Mumia, of each one dram, Myrrh, Galbanum, Terra sigillata, of each two scruples, temper them with Oil of Mastic and Wax, so much as sufficeth, and let a Cere-cloth be made of it, which being spread over white Leather must be laid upon the woman before and behind, afflicted with this unnatural flux. Hot Baths do profit and avail in this case, not such as consist of Brimstone, but of Copper and Allome. But if the flux of blood shall arise only from a cold cause, than you must proceed altogether in the same manner, as we have prescribed before in curing barrenness engendered of a phlegmatic humour,   

CHAP. XI. Of the the Causes and Cure of the stopping of the Terms.  
But because in the former Chapter we have given instructions concerning the immoderate Fluxes and issue of the Terms and of the Cure of the same. The next thing is, that we should also speak a little concerning the retention and stopping of them: For thereby many sicknesses and diseases are bred and engendered, if they be detained contrary to Nature, nor do not issue forth in such a quantity as they should every Moon, in women well disposed, in respect of age and constitution of body. And we must understand that this happeneth by outward and inward Causes.  

Outward causes of the stopping of the Terms.  Externall causes are, the air intemperately hot, cold and dry, meats over hot and binding, whereby the humours are burned, the body dried, and concoctions are hindered; also meats which are too cold congealing and freezing (as it were) the rest of the humours of the body by their coldness, and letting them from issuing forth by restraining and binding them. To these causes also these following do pertain, too much watching, immoderate fasting, every unseasonable and sudden commotion or perturbation of the body, as great anger, sudden fury, great sadness, great lamentation, overmuch solitariness, great labour, any great diseases, sharp fits, a Quartane Fever, pain of the Head, the Fever Hectic, too much fatness, issuing forth of the blood of the nostrils, or any other member, Ulcers and great Apostems.  
Inward causes, 
Inward causes.  are partly bred by the corruption of some humour, and partly without the corruption of any humour: Causes without the corruption of the humour, are overmuch heat, coldness, and dryness: For to those, which are choleric, the humours are exsiccated and dried up through immoderate heat, and therefore the Terms are stopped: But to the melancholic, 
The corruption of the qualities.  the same thing happeneth by immoderate coldness and dryness. But when they happen without the corruption of the humour, we must allege the qualities to be the cause, and we may observe certain signs from what quality they do proceed, and again, whether from a simple or a compound quality. If they happen from coldness and dryness, the issue of the Terms is little, the colour will be pale, no desire of Venus, the urine thin, white, and without any convenient subsidence or grounds in the bottom. If they chance from hotness and dryness, the Terms will be few, the colour redder, the greater desire of Venus, the urine thin, reddish, but almost no subsidence or dregs in the bottom of it. But for the most part this retention and stopping of the Terms, 
The corruption of the humours.  doth happen by the corruption and fault of some humour, as of Phlegm, Choler and Melancholy, but not of blood at all, because they are only retained and stopped through the other humours bearing sway in the blood.  
Moreover common signs, by which it is observed that the retention of the Terms is caused by the corruption of some humour, are these, namely, most great pains from the Navel, even to the privities, and about the Kidneys, loins, and hips continual pains, but most often pains of the head, and also cold sweats, many infirmities and griefs of the eyes, because of their affinity and fellowship with the Matrix, a painful heaviness of the eyelids, the colour pale, much sadness, often refusing of meat, appetite slow, weakness of the members, and heaviness of the whole body: But here also concerning the quality of the humours very great differences are noted and observed, as shall be made manifest in the discourse following.  
If the cause be from Phlegm, 
If the cause of the stopping of the Terms come from phlegm, what be the signs, and what be the cures.  the woman wax pale, the eyes do become bluish, the eyebrows do swell, cold is felt in the bottom of the Matrix, thick and stinking humours do issue from it, white Terms do drop from them, the urine is plae, like unto Milk, thick, and gross substance is found in the bottom. But where this cause shall be observed and found, first, the diet shall be directed and ordered to a hot and dry temperature: Next that cold matter shall be mollified and prepared for purgation, with this syrup following: Take Chamaepitis, Germander, Origanum, Rosemary, Pennyroyal, Savine, water-Mints, Calamint, wild Mints, Thyme, of each one handful, leaves of Sena one ounce, roots of Ruscus, or Butcher's Broom, Sperage, Parsley, stone-Parsley, wild Radish, Madder, Valerian, of each one ounce & a half, juniper-berries four ounces, Agarick two drams, seed of the Nettle, of the wild Carrot, Ameos, Anise, Fennel, Costus, of each half an ounce, and a half. Let all things be mixed and beaten together, and sodden in three pound of running-water, to the wasting away of half of it, let them be strained, and to the straining add Sugar so much as sufficeth, let it be spiced with two drams of cinnamon, and let a syrup be made, and let three ounces be taken at a time: Or let another such digestive be made: Take Oximel compound, three ounces, water of Mugwoort and balm, of each four ounces and a half, let it be spiced with one dram of cinnamon; let a Potion be made of them to be taken at three draughts; Then the matter being prepared for purgation, shall be purged with this potion following: 
A Potion.  Take fat Cassia and extracted with the decoction of Germander one ounce and a half, Dodder, Liquorice, Polipodium, Raisins, Venus' Hair, of each half a handful, Cassia extracted, Electuarium Indum, of each three drams, syrup de radicibus sine Aceto one ounce, temper them, and with the broth of red Cicers let a potion be made, and let the quantity of it, to be taken, be two ounces. If they had rather use Pills, than this Potion, they shall use these Pills: take of Masses or Lumps of Pilulae foetidae, Agregativaes, of each half a dram, 
Pills.  Diagridion three grains, mingle them with syrup of Mugwoort, and let pills be made of them, of which nine shall be taken at a time: Or else this Powder to be taken in the broth of Cicers, or in Whey, shall be prepared in this manner.  
Take of the best Turbit one dram, 
A Powder.  or four scruples, Ginger half a dram, Sal gemma six grains, Saffron two grains, cinnamon three grains, Sugar two drams, mix them, and let a powder be made of them: Or they may use this potion following. Take Benedicta Laxativa, Electuarium Indum, of each two drams, Diacassia three dams, temper them with Bawme-water, and Mugwoort-water, so much as sufficeth: 
Morsels.  Or let such purging morsels be made: Take red Roses, Ginger, Cinamome, of each three drams,  white and red, of each one dram, Hermodactyli, Esula, of each three drams, Turbit four drams, Diagridion two drams, Mastic one scruple, white Sugar one pound: Let all these things be dissolved in water of Mugwoort, and let a confection be made in morsels, and give four drams at a time: Or they may use this infusion following: 
An Infusion.  Take Agarick half an ounce, Ginger two scruples, Sal gemma half a scruple, let them be infused in three ounces. Add to them Oximel Squiliticum one ounce, let all these things be infused twelve hours, afterward let them be strained and squeised out, and also spiced and made sweet with cinnamon and Sugar, so much as sufficeth, and let a potion be made of it; the superfluous matter being sufficiently purged, the next thing is, that such a bathe be prepared, in which the woman which is purged may sit: 
A Bath.  Take Savine, Calamint, Origanum, balm, Feverfew, wild-Mints, Pennyroyal, Melilot, Camomile, of each two handfuls, Celandine, Pucedanum, Horehound, wormwood, of each one handful, Bayleaves, Lavender, Mercury, Rosemary, Ozymus, flowers of the Elder-tree, of each three handfuls, Marish-Mallowes with the roots four handfuls, Mugwoort six handfuls, roots of Valerian two pound, let all these things except the Mugwoort be beaten together, and being put in a bag, let them boil in water, and let a bathe be made of them.  
And when she cometh out of the bathe, let her be anointed with this ointment following, under the Navel, and about the loins: take oil of Lilies, of sweet Almonds, Marrow of the leg of a Calf one ounce, Mucilage, Marish-Mallowes, Fenegrek, Line-seed, of each one ounce, Wax so much as is sufficient, mingle them, being beaten, and let an Unguent be made of them. This being done, let her drink one spoonful of this powder following with a convenient portion of the former decoction, and afterward lying down in her bed, let her take her rest. Take the best cinnamon, rinds of Cassia Fistula, of each half an ounce, Cassia lignea three drams, Saffron one dram & a half, Aristolochia rotunda, Asarum, Calamus Aromaticus, rinds of the roots of Capparis, Costus, Dittany, roots Tormentill, of Eringus, Lacca, of each four scruples, Chamaepitis, Germander, Bayleaves, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Ginger, Calamint, Thyme, seeds of Broome, of wild Rue, of Daucus, wild Cresses, Hyssop, Nigella or Gith, Ameos, Anise, Fennell, Bay-berries, Serapinum, of each half a dram, Sugar equal to all in weight, mix them together, and let a powder be made of them. If she cannot well away with this powder, in this manner, then let a confection be made in morsels after this manner following, of which let her always eat after the bathe: Take of the aforesaid powder without Sugar, one ounce, and half a pound of white Sugar: Let the Sugar be dissolved in the former decoction, or in Mugwoort-water, so much as sufficeth, and let a confection be made in morsels. In this cause proceeding from Phlegm, all hot baths consisting of much Brimstone, are approved, such as are baths of Badina, a City in Germany.  
But if the woman shall not be able to use the bathe prescribed, let her take four handfuls of the aforesaid sorts of herbs, let her boil them with the best wine, and let her receive the Fume of them underneathe thorough a tunnel. And if she shall also be unable to endure this, notwithstanding let her have a Fumigation with this fume following.  
Take Amomum, Galbanum, of each three drams, Assa Foetida, Castoreum, Spodium, of each one dram; mix them, and and let a powder be made of them, of which, one dram at a time cast upon the coals, let a Fume be made to be received only into the Matrix. After the Fume being done, let her use these Pills, seven of them taken at a time. 
Pills.  Take the fruit of Savine two drams, Rue dried one dram, seed of wild Rue half a dram, Assa Foetida, Lachryma Ammoniaca, Dyer's Madder, of each one scruple, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each two scruples, cinnamon, black Pepper, of each half a dram; let all things be mixed together, and let them be made a powder, and tempered with water of Mugwoort, and let pills be form as big as Pease; all these things being finished, both the veins, named Saphenae, shall be opened in both feet, the Moon going down. Afterward she may use these Pessaries: Take treacle, Mithridate, 
Pessaries.  of each half a dram, Castoreum, Lachryma Ammoniaca, of each one dram, mix them with Cotton dipped in the juice of the herb Mercury, and make a Pessary: Or otherwise, Take of the juice of Rue, Wormwood, of each equal parts, Myrrh, Euphorbium, seed of Savine, of each one dram and a half, mix them, and let a Pessary be made: Another may be made in this manner for women which are stronger by Nature: Take Elleborus albus, Pyretrum, of each three drams, Nigella, Diagridium, of each one dram, mingle them with the juice of Mercury, and let a pessary be made; Let such another be made which is of more efficacy and force: Take Nigella, Staves-acre, Centaury the less, of each two drams, Elleborus albus, Vitrum, Sal gemma, black Pepper, Diagridium, of each two scruples, Aloes, Laudanum, clear Turpentine, Styrax Calamita, of each three drams, Amber one scruple; let all things be mixed together, and incorporated with a hot Pessell because of the Gums, and being enclosed in a cloth moistened in the juice of Mercury, let Pessaries be made of them: Or otherwise, Take Gentian, Savine, Staves-acre, Colocynthis, Nigella or Gith, of each one dram and a half; let all these things be incorporated with the juice of the wild Cowcumber, named Elaterium, or with the juice of Mercury, and let Pessaries be made of it. If these former seem to profit little, other Pessaries shall be prepared in this manner: Take juice of Mercury, Wormwood, Feverfew, Mugwoort, of each three ounces, Myrrh, Euphorbium, Castoreum, of each two drams, Savine-seede, Gith-seed, of each one dram, Laudanum, Galbanum, of each one dram and a half; those things which are to be beaten to powder, let them be powdered, but let the juices be decocted to a thickness, let Pessaries be made of them, the length and thickness of a finger. 
If retention of the Terms be from Choler, how it is to be Cured.  But if retention and straining of the Terms do proceed from Choler, heat shall be felt in the sound and bottom of the Matrix, dryness, coarctation and straightness, and a certain hardness, not without pains and prickings; desire of Venus, a yellow colour of the eyelids, the urine red, small store of Terms, always of a Citrine or yellow colour, doth follow and accompany these signs and tokens of Choler. And that cause being known, the universal diet shall decline to a cold and dry temperature: Afterward the supefluous matter shall be prepared for to be purged with this decoction following: take leaves of Sena one ounce, Mugwoort two handfuls, Venus-haire, Sorrell, Endive, Hartstong, Betony, Liverwoort, balm, Mercury, of each one handful, the four cold seeds, Agnus Castus, Daucus, or wild Carrot, Pyonie, Sperage, Sothernwood, Basil, Milium Solis, or Gromell, of each half an ounce, red Roses, Borrage-flowers, Violets, of each a small quantity called a Pugil, roots of the best Rheubarb one dram, Valerian, Butchers-broome, stone Parsly, Smallage of each an ounce, Cyperus, Spike, of each one dram and a half, Cicers, red Beans, juniper-berries, Fenegrek of each one Pugil. Let all these things be mingled together and beaten, and boiled in three pound of running-water until half be wasted, let them be strained, and to the straining, let Sugar be added so much as sufficeth, & let it be spiced with a dram and a half of cinnamon: You shall give 3 ounces of this decoction four days together in the morning when the stomach is empty, or in the evening three hours before supper very warm, to be drunk of the Patient.  
But if she shall loathe this decoction, let her use this syrup following: 
A Syrup.  Take syrup Acetosae simplicis one ounce, Oximel simple half an ounce, mingle them with the water of Succory and Endive, of each one ounce, and let a draught be made of it. Or else, take one ounce of the syrup of Peach-Roses, syrup of Endive half an ounce, commix them with two ounces of the afore-spoken decoction, or water of Endive, and let a draught be made: Or you may prepare such solutive medicines: Take Manna half an ounce, Electuarium de Succo Rosarum, confection of Hamech, Diacassia, of each one dram, syrup of Violets half an ounce, waters of Succory and Endive, of each one ounce, mix them, and let one draught be made; or otherwise, take of the best Rheubarbe two drams, Spike Nard six grains, sprinkled with the best Wine, infuse them in Whey twelve hours, then strain them, and to the straining, add Manna, Cassia newly drawn, of each one ounce and a half, syrup of Violets one ounce, let it be spiced with Cinamome as much as sufficeth, and let a potion be made to the quantity of three ounces.  
The superfluous matter being sufficiently purged & voided by these solutive medicines, such a bathe is to be decocted in which the woman may sit; 
.  Take Marish-Mallowes with the roots, three handfuls, Motherwoort or Mugwoort two handfuls, Elder-flowers, Willow-flowers, Violet-Plants, or Mater violarum, Maidenhair, of each one handfulll, Valerian half a pound, Fenegrek, Line-seed, of each three ounces, common Salt two drams, Roche Allome half an ounce, Brimstone one dram; let all things be beaten together, mingled and put in a bag, and let a bathe be made by boiling of them, in which the woman may sit. In this case all temperate waters with Allome and Copper do profit and do good: when she cometh out of the bathe, let her be anointed with this ointment about the Loins, and under the Navel: Take oil of Roses, of sweet Almonds, of Violets, of each one ounce, Marrow of the leg of a calf half an ounce & two drams, fresh Butter, Hensgrease, Mucilage of Fenegrek, Mucilage of Line-seed, of each half an ounce, Wax so much as sufficeth, and let an Unguent be made of them, in a liquid form.  
After the Unction being performed, 
A Decoction.  let her take one spoonful of this powder following in a little potion of the decoction hereunto adjoined, and lying down in her bed, let her take rest: Take of the Herbs of Sorrel, balm, Mercury, Motherwoort, red Cicers, red Beans, Fenegrek, roots of Imperatoria, Valerian, of each half a handful, mingle them with wine, so much as sufficeth, and let a decoction be made, let it be strained, and let there be added to the straining two ounces of the powder following, and let them be drunk together very hot: 
A powder.  Take of the rinds or barks of Cassia Fistula, Cyperus, of each one dram, roots of Tormentill, of Pionie cleared from uttermost rind, cinnamon, of each two drams, Saffron, seed of Daucus, grains of Pionie, of each one dram and a half, seeds of Agnus castus, of Parsley, Basill, Stone-Persley, Mercury, Sperage, Milum solis, or Gramill, Venus-haire, Maidenhair, Camomile, Betony, Liverwoort, Spike-Nard, Squinanthum, Hops, Endive, of each one scruple, Sugar so much, mix them, and let a powder be made.  
If she will not use this powder in the aforesaid manner; let a confection be made in little rundels, or cakes, which she may eat alone coming out of the bathe; or may take them dissolved in the afore prescribed decoction. And let the confection be such; 
Cakes ●sells.  Take one ounce of the prescribed powder, without Sugar, white Sugar half a pound, let the Sugar be dissolved in Rose-water, let the powder be tempered together with it, and let little cakes be made in morsels.  
If it do not please her to use this bathe, yet let her use this Fomentation: Take Sothernwood, 
●enta●  Dill, Motherwoort, Camomile, Clarie, balm, Mercury, Elder-flowers, red Roses, of each one handful, Fenegrek, Line-seed, of each half a pound; mingle all things together, and make a decoction with Wine, so much as sufficeth, with which let the woman be fomented. Or let her receive this fume following underneath by a tunnel or Pipe for the purpose: Take seed of Agnus castus one ounce, Dill one handful, Carui, Costus, of each one ounce, commix them, and let a decoction be made with wine so much as sufficeth.  
All these things being performed, the veins of the Ankle or Saphenae shall be opened, after the fift or sixth day, in both foots, or in one day one only, and in another day the other. It will also be profitable to sweat in a bathe; also to scarify the skin with cupping-glasses, about the hips.  
Afterward, she may use these Pessaries: Take Borace, Amomum, Myrrh, Aristolochia rotunda, Calamus Aromaticus, Cloves, 
Pessaries.  Majorame, of each one dram and a half, Diagridium ten grains, temper them with the juices of Motherwoort, Wormwood, and wild Mint, and let a Pessery be made, which she shall use continually: Or else take Triphera magna sine Opio half an ounce, Myrrh, Mountain calamint, of each two drams, fresh Rue, three drams, Savine, roots of Sothernwood, of each four drams, Laudanum, Galbanum, Serapinum, Assa Foetida, of each one dram and a half, roots of Madder the greater, of Cyperus, of each one dram, mix them, and let a powder be made of them, but let the Pessary be made with the Gall of a Bull, and Oil of Lilies: Or she must use the Pessary following: Take juice of Mercury, Wormwood, Majoram, Mugwoort, Clary, wild Mint, of each half an ounce, mingle the aforesaid prescribed powders, with these juices, and make a Pessary of such form and quantity as it ought to be.  

〈◊〉 the re●●n shall ●ed of melancholy, how 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉.  But when retention of the Terms shall proceed from melancholy, there are found pains and a sound or noise in the bottom of the Matrix, by reason of vapours and winds mixed and shut up together in the same, the Urine will be thin, black and bluish, and lose; a cloth stained with that flux, will appear with a black colour. Moreover, this cause being known, before all things, the diet must be directed to a hot and moist temperature; afterward the superfluous matter shall be mollified with this decoction or digestive following, and prepared for to be purged: Take leaves of Sena one ounce, herbs of Calamint, Origanum, Motherwoort, Staechados, Hartstong, Liverwoort, of each half a handful, Borrage-flowers, Buglosse-flowers, Violets, Venus-haire, Germander, of each one Pugil, Parsley-roots, roots of Sperage, Fennel, rinds of Cappar-roots, of each two drams, Liquorice, Raisins, of each half an ounce, the best Rheubarb, Agarick, of each one dram, mingle them with running-water, and let it be boiled until one half be consumed: afterward strain, and to the straining add so much white Sugar as sufficeth, and let it be aromatized and spiced with one dram of cinnamon. You must give so often of this decoction to the sick woman, until the superfluous matter shall seem to be sufficiently prepared: Or you shall prepare another digestive in this manner: Take Oximel simplex one ounce, Syrup de radicibus half an ounce, waters of Sperage and Elder of each one ounce; Let it be spiced with cinnamon so much as sufficeth, and let one draught be made of it; but the matter being sufficiently prepared, shall be expelled and purged with this potion following: Take Maidenhair, flowers of borage, bugloss, Violets, Hops, Staechados, Germander, of each half a handful, Polypodie three drams, Liquorice, Raisins, of each one ounce; let all things be mingled and stamped together, and let a decoction be made with running-water, so much as sufficeth, till half of it be wasted, afterward strain it, and to the straining, put syrup de Epithymo, of Violets, Cassia newly extracted, Manna, of each three drams, Electuary Hamech, Diaphaenicon, of each one dram and a half, commix them, and let a minorative, or purging medicine be made of it: Or if it please you, let it be made in this manner: Take Myrobalani Indi half an ounce, Citrini two drams, let them be infused in Whey the space of eleven hours, afterward let them be strained out, and let there be added to the straining, Cassia extracted, Manna, of each half an ounce, powder of Epithymie two scruples, Ginger six grains, Sugar so much as sufficeth, temper them, and let a potion be made of it. In this case also Pilulae Indae are most specially allowed. Moreover, the superfluous matter being sufficiently purged, baths also, fomentations, suffumigations, unguents, powders, pessaries, may be prepared in the same manner, as we have spoken, of late, concerning Phlegm and choler: but not without the counsel of skilful Physicians: For now we will make an end to say any more concerning the retention and stopping of the Terms by some certain and manifest cause.  
These are those things (courteous Reader) which that most learned and expert Chirurgeon, james Rueff, compiled in Latin, concerning the Original of Humane-seed and Generation, etc.   
FINIS.