Vox medici.  
HErbarum vires, Astrorum juncta potestas  
Ars medici moderans, et Deus ista beans,  
Virginibus, pueris, uxoribus atque maritis:  
Queisque recepturis causa salutis erunt.   

THE strength of herbs and planets influence,  
Physician's skill, through God's benevolence,  
To young and old, to husband▪ and to wife,  
Are the appointed means for healthful life.    

THE SICK WOMAN'S Private Looking-glass Wherein methodicaly are handled all uterine affects, or diseases arising from the Womb. Enabling Women to inform the physician about the cause of their grief By John Sadler Dr in Physic in the City of Norwich  
London Printed for Ph: Stephens & Ch: Meredith at the gilded Lion in Paul's Churchyard Io: Droeshout sculp i636   

THE SICK WOMAN'S PRIVATE LOOKING-GLASS WHEREIN Methodically are handled all uterine affects, or diseases arising from the womb; enabling Women to inform the Physician about the cause of their grief.  
BY JOHN SADLER, Doctor in Physic at Norwich.  
Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.  juvenal. 
LONDON, Printed by Anne Griffin, for Philemon Stephens, and Christopher Meridith, at the Golden Lion in S. Paul's Churchyard. 1636.   

TO ALL VIRTUOUS AND Modest-minded Women I.S. Doctor in Physic wisheth health.  
BECAUSE I had my being from a woman, I thought none had more right to the grape than she which planted the vine. Considering therefore the manifold distempers of body, which ye Women are subject unto through your ignorance & modesty, I could not but do my best, to inform and advise you in the conservation of your own health. And when I had spent some meditations, and consulted with Galen and Hypocrates for my proceeding; amongst all diseases incident to the body, I found none more frequent, none more perilous than those which arise from the ill affected womb: for through the evil quality thereof, 
Tatum corpus ab uter● afficitur. Hippoc. lib. 1. de locis in homine.  the heart, the liver, and the brain are affected, from whence the actions vital, natural, & animal are hurt; and the virtues concoctive, sanguifficative, distributive, attractive, 
Galenus 6. de locis affect. cap. 5. Bottonus de morbis mulierum cap. 39  expulsive retentive, with the rest are all weakened. So that from the womb comes convulsions, epilepsies, apoplexies, palseyes, hectic fevers, dropsies, malignant ulcers, and to be short, there is no disease 
a Baptista Montanus d uterinis affect pag. 1.  so ill but may proceed from the evil quality of it.  
How necessary therefore the knowledge of uterine diseases is, judge ye. And how many of you labour of them, all through your own ignorance and modesty, woeful experience makes it manifest. For when a woman is afflicted with any disease of the womb; first through her ignorance, she knowing not the cause thereof being not instructed in the state of her own body. And secondly through her modesty, being lo●h to divulge and publish the same unto the Physician to implore his aid, she conceals her grief and so increaseth her sorrow.  
For the aid and benefit of a woman in this cause, have I composed this treatise; Wherein as in a glass she may see herself in private, and view the nature, cause, signs, prognostics and cure of all uterine diseases, But yet no further, then thereby to be instructed to confer with the Physician for the cure of her grief, lest by the misapplying of the remedy you augment your disease, I confess if you look unto the matter it is old; 
Nil dictum quod non dictum, prius.  if unto the method new: part of it being selected out of the Greeks, part out of the Latins, and part out of the experience of my own practice, wherein I have followed the industry of the Bee, who gathers honey out of diverse flowers to wove into her own comb. Many things more might have been added in it, which for modesty sake my pen hath omitted. I have also stooped to your capacities in avoiding hard words and Rhetorical phrases, desiring rather to inform your judgements with the truth, though a plain manner, then to confound your understandings with a more Rhetorical discourse. But fearing to be over-tedius, craving acceptance for these first fruits of my brain, until God endues me with a better harvest, I rest,  
The wellwisher of your health JOHN SADLER.   

Ad proceres Artis Aesculapij.  
PRAENOBILEM medicinae Artem ignobili proferre vulgo, opus hand dignum hodie non immerito existimetur. Vos igitur qui hujus art is illustrissime est is professores, me fortean subinsullie esse animi censeatis; qui artem hanc incly●am gregalibus verbis dedecoravi: quod ne putetis, causam in lemeam coram vobis veniâ vestrâ sic agam. Sciatis vellem, quòd ego opusculo hoc meo promulgando faemininum solummodò sexum instit●ere decrevi: vestra proin lenitudo & benevolentia (spero) conamen istud meum (licèt squalidum) absque inusto stigmate in lucem prodire patientur. Hocque confido magis, quippe quod Hypocrates, qui mihi exemplar est, honoratissimus de hoc subjecto nonnulla vulgo exarata dedit. Et de materia si quaeratur, hanc, ingenuè fateor, me ex authoribus tum antiquis tum modernis excerpsisse totam: circa quam, si errorem quendam inscius aut incautus expromere videar, suppliciter peto eundem mihi denudatum fieri, & ipsum elimare conabor serio. At si codicillus iste meus incultus iudicio vestro (uti spero) inculpatus vixerit; clemen●ia vestra me vinculo observantiae vobis devinctum habebit imperpetuum. Et quod ad Momum attinet (cui calumniandi & maledicendi prurigo semper inhaeret) flocci pendo, quamvis fungus iste sannis & scommatibus hunc meum exerceat laborem: quem scire vellem, suam de me sententiam inanem prorsus, levemque ducere. Tumescat ideo invidiâ donec disrumpatur odio: mihi curae est honos non offendere & ignorantes informare. Hic scopus. Hic saltus. Hic pes ●igendus.  
Ornato   

Imprimatur.  
Tho. Weeks R. P. Episcopo Lond. Cap. domest. john Smethwicke.   

Ornato atque erudito juveni Domino Iohanni Sadlero Medicinae Doctori, Alexander Reidus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 atque e sociorum inclyti Collegii Londinensis medici numero S. P. D.  
Clarumtuum morborum uteri●orum, speculum non oscitanter perlegi, quod ad corum & dignotionem & curationem elaborasti, quod que publici iuris facturum te mihi significasti. Si de eo quaeras quid sentiam, brevem apertamque animimei sententiam accipe Dignum existimo quod lucem aspiciat; ad quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnes manibus versent. Non est meo indicio quod sciolorum cerulas miniatulas pertimescas. Phrasis in eo tersa atque elega●s: in eo certant brevitas & perspicuitas, ut de te Horatianum istud vere pronunciari non possit, Brevis esse laboro, Obscurus fio.  
Methodus clara est atque rei traditioni conveniens. Medicamenta quae proferuntur selecta sunt & tuta: Ita ut possit liber ipse secure maligni livoris dentem contemnere. Quamobrem oro autor sibisim eum publicandi, ut pulchris ingenii tui felicis primitiis gloria tibi accedat, atque ad gratitudinem exprimendam populares omnes obligentur.  
Londini, prid. Id. januar. anniab exbibito in carne Messia supra millesimum sexcentesimum tricesimo quinto, Ex musaeolo meo.   

To the Author.  
IVst in thy spring did the nine Muses meet;  
Whom when they spied, they did conspire to greet:  
And with fresh Laurel than Parnassus decked:  
That they on thee some honour might reflect.  
The multitude amazed stood in a round,  
To see whose praise fame's rathing trump did sound:  
‛ Ere long they heard that, Sadler, 'twas thy worth  
That caused that stir, and brought the Muses forth.  
Then did Apollo God of Physics Art,  
And the nine Muses all consent in heart,  
Thy welldeserving mind, thy name, thy state,  
With learning, honour, fame to celebrate.  
But foggy sleepers and those wanton boys  
That spend their golden time in melting joys  
Th'unpartial Muses daygn not to respect,  
They neglect learning; and them they neglect;  
Or send their Satyrs to proclaim their crime  
'Cause creggie stayrs of honour they ' not climb  
But generous Saddler, thou tooks better way  
By making learnings pleasant fruit the prey,  
Thou soughtest by early, late, by constant pain,  
By cost, by travel, that thou mightst obtain  
Not the vainglorious shell of empty praise  
Which shines a while, and suddenly decays:  
But the sound kernel of the honoured Art●  
Which honour thee for thy deserved parts.  
Divine Hippocrates, Galen all such  
As read this book may witness well thus much.  
Amongst Doctors of thy Art, go, take thy chair:  
Now thou mayst rest; green laurel is thy share.  
I. S.   

The Contents.  
Chap. 1. THe Introduction. 
pag. 1.  Chap. 2. Of the suppression of the courses. 
pag. 14.  Chap. 3. Of the overflowing of the courses. 
pag. 30.  Chap. 4. Of the weeping of the Womb. 
pag. 44.  Chap. 5. Of the false cources and whites. 
pag. 49.  Chap. 6. Of the suffocation of the mother. 
pag. 61.  Chap. 7. Of the falling down of the Womb. 
pag. 78.  Chap. 8. Of the inflammation of the Womb. 
pag. 86.  Chap. 9 Of the schirrosity of the Womb. 
pag. 93.  Chap. 10. Of the dropsy of the Womb. 
pag. 9.6  Chap. 11. Of Barrenness. 
106.  Chap. 12. Of the Mole or false conception. 
pag. 122.  Chap. 13. Of the generation of Monsters, and whether devils can engender. 
p. 180.  Chap. 14. Signs of conception 
pag. 142.  Signs whether it be male or female. 
pag. 107.  Chap. 15. Of untimely birth. 
pag. 149  A rule frr breeding women. 
pag. 149.    

THE Sick woman's Private Lookingglass. Wherein Methodically are handled all uterine affects or diseases arising from the womb.  

An Introduction. CHAP. I.  
IF any one, but of a mean capacity were asked what were the wonder of the world; I think that reason would move him to answer, Man; he being the 
a Quia homo secundum intellectum continet totum mundum.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or little world, to whom all things are subordinate: agreeing in the Genus with things sensitive, all being Animal, but differing in the Species, for man alone is endued with reason; 
Exemplunque Dei quisque est in imagine paruâ.  Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Wherefore of the Greeks he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, of turning his eyes upward towards him, whose image and superscription he bears: whence the Poet writeth; 
Silius Italic. lib. 5.  
Nun vides hominum, ut colsos ad sidera vultus  
Sustulerit Deus? ac sublimia fi●xerit ora.  
See how the heavens high Architect hath framed man in this wise;  
To stand, to go, to look erect, with body, face, and eyes.  And Cicero saith, 
cum cateras animantium naturas abjecisset ad pastum, solum hominem erexit, & ad coeli quasi cognationi● pristmi conspectum excitavit. Cicero lib. 5. de L●gibus  that all creatures were made like Moles, to root upon the earth, man only excepted; to him was given an upright frame, to behold that mansion prepared for him above.  
Now to the end that this so noble and glorious a creature might not quite perish, hath the Almighty given unto woman the field of generation for a receptacle of humane seed; whereby that natural and vegetable soul which lies potentially in the seed, may, by the Vis plastica, be produced into act; that man being mortal, and leaving his offspring behind him, may become as it were immortal, and live in his posterity.  
And because this field of generation, to wit, the womb, is the subject-matter from whence our ensuing discourse is drawn, like so many lines from the centre; that you may the better judge of that which follows, we will in brief lay before you the parts of the womb, together with the qualities of the menstruous blood.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  First, touching the womb; of the Grecians it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the mother; or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, saith Priscian, because it makes us all brothers.  
It is placed in the Hypogastrium, or lower part of the belly, in the cavity called Pelvis, having the 
a Columbus Anatom de visceribus. ●ib. 11. ca 16.  straight gut on one side, to keep it from the hardness of the backbone, and the bladder on the other side, to defend it from blows. The form or figure of it is like a 
b Fushsius institut. medicine. lib. 1. sect. 5. c▪ 13.  virile member, only this excepted, the manhood is outward, and the womanhood within.  
It is divided into the neck and the body. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  The neck consists of a hard fleshy substance much like a 
c Weckerus sentax. lib. 1. part. 1. p. 67  cartilege: at the end whereof there is a membrane transversly placed, called Hymen, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  or Eugion. near also unto the neck there is prominent pannicle, 
Haec etiam membrana flos virginitatis vocatur, quia cum eclest. Signum est virginitatis. Ostiolum uteri de uterinis offect. p. 9  which is called of Montanus, the door of the womb, because it preserveth the matrice from cold and dust. Of the Grecians it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; of the Latins Praeputium muliebre, because the Jewish women did abuse this part to their own mutual lust, 
Rom. 1.26  as Saint Paul speaks, for which juvenal turns Satirist against them.  
Nec distare putant humana carne suillam,  
Qua paterabstinuit moxet praeputia ponunt.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  The body of the womb is that wherein the child is conceived; and this is not altogether round, but dilates itself into two angles, which Herophilus comparing to the horns of a calf, calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The outward part of it is nervous, and full of sinews, which are the cause of its motion: but inwardly it is fleshy.  
It is fabulously reported, that in the cavity of the womb there are seven divided cells or receptacles for humane seed. But those that have seen Anatomies, do know there are but two, and those not divided by a partition, but only by a line or future running through the midst of it. In the right side of the cavity, by reason of the heat of the Liver, 
d Hyppac. lib. 5. Aph●r. 48.  males are conceived. In the left side, by the coldness of the Spleen, females are begotten. And this do most of our Moderns hold for an infallible truth; 
Quibus, dextrum vas spermaticum a renali, & sinistrum a vena cava descendit, iis mares sinistrâ, dextrâ verò parte uterifoeminae gestantur. Hipp. 6. Epidem. initio.  yet Hippocrates holds it but in the general; for in whom (saith he) the spermaticall vessel of the right side comes from the reins, and the spermaticall vessel of the left side from the hollow vein, in them males are conceived in the left side, and females in the right. Well therefore may I conclude with the saying of Empedocles. 
La interdum vis est seminis ut utr●qu● sinu ●asculos proferat.  Such sometimes is the power of the seed, that a male may be conceived in the left side, as well as in the right. In the bottom of the cavity there are little holes, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  called the Cotyledones, which are the ends of certain veins and arteries, serving, in breeding women, to convey sustenance to the child, which is received by the umbilical vein: And in others to carry the cources into matrice.  
Now, touching the menstruals: They are defined to be a monthly flux of excrementitious and ●●profitable blood. 
Aristot. de generatione animali. lib. 1. c. 20.   
In which we are to note, that the matter slowing forth is excrementitious; 
Sanguis menstruus est benignus non malignus, inquantitate, non qualitute procons. 14. de usu partium 8.  which is to be understood of the superplus or redundancy of it: for it is a excrement in quantity, in quality being pure and incorrupt, like unto the blood in the veins.  
And that the menstruous blood is pure, and simply of itself, all one in quality with that in the veins, is proved two ways: First, from the the final cause of this blood, 
Causa finalis menstrui est propagatio & conservatio humanae speciei.  which is the propagation and conservation of mankind; that man might be conceived; and being begotten, he might be comforted and preserved, both in the womb, and out of the womb. And all will grant it for a truth, that the child, while it is in the matrice is nourished with this blood; and it is as true, that being out of the womb, it is still nourished with the same; for the 
e Aristot. de generatione animali. lib. 4. cap. 8.  milk is nothing but the menstruous blood made white in the breasts; and I am sure woman's milk is not thought to be venomous, but of a nutritive quality, answerable to the tender nature of an infant. Secondly, it is proved to be pure from the generation of it, it being the superfluity of the last aliment of the fleshy parts.  
It may be objected, if the blood be not of a hurtful quality, how can it cause such 
* Fernelius de hominis procreatione lib. 7. cap. 7.  venomous effects; as if the same fall upon trees and herbs, it maketh the one barren, and mortifies the other. And Averro writes, 
Aver. 3 Collect. cap. 7.  that if a man accompany with a menstruous woman, if she conceive, she shall bring forth a Leper. 
Sol. Sanguis menstruus obdiuturnam in utero moram, mala● qua●dam naturam contrahit.  I answer, this malignity is contracted in the womb; for the woman wanting native heat to digest this superfluity, sends it to the matrice, where seating itself until the mouth of the womb be dilated, it becomes corrupt and venomous, which may easily be, considering the heat and moistness of the place. This blood therefore being out of his vessels, offends in quality; In this sense let us understand Pliny, Fernelius, Florus, and the rest of that torrent. 
* L●udabilis & alimentarius est hic sanguis, cujus causa efficiens est color foeminae debilis.  But if frigidity be the cause why women cannot digest all their last nourishment, and consequently that they have these purgations: It remains to give a reason why they are of so cold a constitution more than men; which is this: The natural end of man's and woman's being, 
Gen. 1.28.9.1.  is to propagate; and this injunction was imposed upon them by God at their first creation, and again after the deluge: now in the act of conception there must be an 
f Aliquod ut materia, aliquod ut efficiens.  Agent and a Patient, for if they be both every way of one constitution, they 
g Fernelius de morbis partium & symptom. lib. 6 cap. 7.  cannot propagate; man therefore is hot and dry; woman cold and moist: he is the 
h Est enim mas, a quo motus procreationisque origo manat:  Agent, she the 
i F●mina verò quae materiam segetemque subministrat.  Patient, or weaker vessel, that she should 
* Semen essusum in ●remium s●scipiendo.  be subject unto the office of the Man. It is necessary likewise that woman should be of a cold constitution, because in her is required a redundancy of matter for the infant depending on her; for otherwise, if there were not a superplus of nourishment for the child, more than is convenient for the mother, then would the infant detract and weaken the principal parts of the mother; and like unto the Viper, the generation of the infant would be the destruction of the parent. 
Add decem ternis, mulierum menstrua cernis, ad quinquaginta durat purgatio tota.  These monthly purgations continue from the 15. year, to the 46. or 50. Yet often there happens a suppression, which is either natural, or morbifficall. They are naturally suppressed in breeding women, and such as give suck. The morbifical suppression falls now into our method to be spoken off.   

CHAP. II. Of the retention of the months.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  THe suppression of the Terms is an interception of that accustomary evacuation of blood, which every month should come from the matrice, proceeding from the instrument or matter vitiated. The part affected is the womb, and that of itself, or by consent.  

Cause.  
The cause of this suppression is either external or internal. The external cause may be heat or dryness of the air, immoderate watching, great labour, vehement motion, and the like, whereby the matter is so consumed, and the body so exhaust, that there is not a superplus remaining to be expelled; as is recorded of the 
g Varandeus lib. 1. de morbis muli. cap. 2.  Amozonites, who being active, and always in motion, had their fluxions very little, or not at all. Or it may be caused by cold, which is most frequent, making the blood viscuous and gross, condensing and binding up the passages, that it cannot flow forth.  
The internal cause is either instrumental or material, in the womb or in the blood.  
In the womb it may be diverse ways; by Apostoms', Tumours, Ulcers, by the narrowness of the veins and passages; or by the 
h H●urnius de morbis mulierum. cap. 1.  Omentum or kell in fat bodies, pressing the neck of the matrice: but then they must have Hernia Zirbalis: for in mankind the kell reacheth not so low. By overmuch cold or heat, the one vitiating the action, and the other consuming the matter. By an evil composition of the uterine parts; by the 
i Galennu● 5 Aphor. 28.  neck of the womb being turned aside; and sometimes, though rarely, by a 
k Paraeus de hominis generatione cap. 51. & 43.  membrane or excrescence of fl●sh growing about the mouth or neck of the womb. The blood may be in fault two ways, in quantity or in quality. In quantitity, when it is so consumed, that there is not a superplus left, as in Viragoes and virile women, 
Erotis de passionibus mulier. cap. 23.  who through their heat and strength of nature, digest and consume all their last nourishment; as Hypocrates writes of Phaetusa, 
Hippoc. Epidem. 6  who being exiled by her husband Pythea, her terms were suppressed, her voice changed, and had a beard, with a countenance like a man. But these I judge rather to be Anthropophagae, women-eaters, than women-breeders, because they consume one of the principles of generation, which gives a being to the world, viz. the menstruous blood. The blood likewise may be consumed, and consequently, the terms stayed by bleeding of the nose; by a flux of the Emroides; by a Dysenteria, commonly called the bloody flux, by many other evacuations, and continual and chronical diseases. Secondly, the matter may be vicious in quality; as suppose it be sanguineons, flegmaticall; bilious, or melancholious, every one of these, if they offend in grossness, will cause an obstruction in the veins.   

Signs.  
Signs manifesting the disease, are pains in the head, neck, back, and loins; weariness of the whole body, but especially of the hips and legs, by reason of a confinity which the matrix hath with these parts: trembling of the heart. Particular signs are these; if the suppression proceeds of cold, she is heavy, sluggish, of a pale colour, and hath a slow pulse, Venus' combats are neglected, the urine is crude, waterish, and much in quantity; the excrements of the guts usually are retained. If of heat, the signs are contrary to those even now recited. If the retention be natural, and come of conception; this may be known by drinking of Hydromell, 
Hyppoc. lib. 5 Aph●. 41.  that is water and honey, after supper going to bed, and by the effect which it worketh; for, after the taking of it, if she feels a beating pain about the navel and lower parts of the belly, it is asigne she hath conceived, and that the suppression is natural: If not, that is it vicious, and ought medicinally to be taken away.   

Prognostics.  
With the evil quality of the womb the whole body stands charged; but especially the Heart, the Liver, and the Brain; and betwixt the womb and these three principal parts, there is a singular consent.  
First, the womb communicates to the heart by the mediation of those Arteries which come from Aorta; hence the terms being suppressed, will ensue faintings, swound, intermission of pulse, cessation of breath.  
Secondly, it communicates to the Liver by the veins derived from the hollow vein; hence will follow obstructions, cachexies, jaundice, dropsies, hardness of the spleen.  
Thirdly, it communicates unto the brain, by the nerves and membranes of the back; hence will arise Epilepsies, Apoplexies, Frenzies, melancholy passions, pain in the after parts of the head, fearfulness inability of speaking. Well therefore may I conclude with Hippocrates, 
Lib. 5. Apho. 57  if the months be suppressed, many dangerons diseases will follow.   

Cure.  
In the cure of this, and of all the other following effects, I will observe this order. The cure shall be taken from chirurgical, pharmaceutical, and Diaeteticall means.  
This suppression is a plethoric affect, and must be taken away by evacuation: and therefore first we will begin with Phlebotomy.  
In the midst of the menstrual period open the Liver vein; and for the reversion of the humour, two days before the wont evacution, open the Saphena on both feet. If the repletion be not great, apply cupping glasses to the legs and thighs. And although there be no hope to remove the suppression (as in some the Cotyledones are so closed up, that nothing but copulation will open them) yet it will be convenient, as much as may be, to ease nature of her burden, by opening the Hemerhoid veins with a Leech.  
After Phlebotomy, let the humours be prepared and made fluxile with syrrupe of Staechas, Calamint, Betonie, Hyssop, Mugwort, Horehound, Fumeterre, Maidenhair. bath with m.j. make a decoction; take thereof ℥ iij. syrrupe of Maidenhair, Mugwort, Succory, ana. ℥ s. Misce: After she comes out of the Bath, let her drink it off. Purge with Pil. de Agarico, Elephang. Coch. Foetid. Galen in this cause commends pil. de Hiera cum Colocyutide, for as they be proper to purge the humour offending; so also they do open the passages of the womb, and strengthen the faculty by their Aromatical quality.  
If the stomach be overcharged, let her take a vomit; yet such a one as may work both ways, lest working only upward, it should too much turn back the humour. ℞ Trochisks of Agrick ʒij. infuse them i● ℥ iij. of Oximel, in which dissolve of the Electuary Diasarum ℈ is. Ben●dic. La●●t. ℥ s: Take this after the manner of a purge.  
After the humour hath been purged, proceed to more proper and forceable remedies. ℞. trochiscks of myrrh ʒis: persly-seed, castor, rinds of cassia ana ℈ i. of the extract of mugwort ℈ is. musk gr.x. with the juce of smallage make 12 pills, taken 2 every morning or after supper going to bed. ℞. of cinnamon, ℥ s. roots of smirnium, valerian, aristolochia, ana ʒii. roots of Asrum ʒi. castor, saffron, ana ℈ two. specdiambrae. ʒii. trochisks of myrrh, ℈ iiii, tartari vitriolati, ℈ two. make all into a powder; with mugwort water and sugar qs make lozenges, take ʒi of them every morning: or mingle ʒi of the powder with ʒi of sugar and take it in white wine. ℞ of prepared steel, specierum hierae ana ʒii. borace, species of myrrh, ana ℈ i. with the juce of savine make 38. take three every other day immediately before dinner. ℞. of castor ℈ i wild carrot seed ʒs. with syrrupe of mugwort make 4 pills take them in the morning fasting, and so for three days together before the wont time of the purgations. ℞. of Agaricke, aristolochia, juce of horehound, ana ʒv. rhubarb, spicknard, aniceseed, galbanum, assafaetida, smallage roots, gentianes, of the three peppers, laccae, ana ʒvi. with honey make an electuary: take of it ʒiii for a dosis. In flegmaticall bodies nothing better can be given then the decoction of the wood guaiacum with a little Dictam taken in the morning fasting, and so for 12 days together without provokeing of sweat.  
Administer to the lower parts by suffumigations, pessaries, unctions, injections, insessions.  
Make suffumigations of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, bayberries, mugwort, galbanum, melanthium, Amber etc. Make pessaryes of figs, and the leaves of mercury bruised and rolled up with lint. If you desire a stronger; make one of myrrh▪ bdelium, opopanax, Ammoniacum, galbanum, sagapenum, mithridate, agaric, coloquintida etc. Make injections of the decoction of origane, mugwort, mercury, betony and figs pouring the same into the womb by a metrenchyta. ℞. oil of sweet and bitter almonds, lilies, capers, chammomill ana ℥ s. ladani, oil of myrrh, ana ʒii, with wax make an unguent▪ with which let the places be anointed. Make insessions of faengreeke, chammomill, melilote, dill, marjerom, pennyroyal, feverfew, juniper berries, and calamynt. But if the suppression comes by a defect of matter, then ought not the cources to be provoked, until the spirits be animated and the blood again increased. Or if by proper affects of the womb, as dropsies, inflammations, and the like; then must a particular cure be used, the which I will not insist upon here, but of them as they lie in order.  
If the retention comes from repletion or fullness; let the air be hot and dry; use moderate exercise before meals; Let your sleep be shorter than ordinary; and your meat and drink attenuating. Seeth with your meat garden savoury, time, origan and 
n Cicer. Ariel: num.  ciche peason. If of emptiness or defect of matter; let the air be moist and moderately hot. eat excercise and watchings, let your meat be nourishing, and of a light digestion; as rear eggs, lamb, chickens, almond milk and the like.    

CHAP. III. Of the overflowing of the cources.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  THE Scholearium saith, by comparing of contraries, truth is made manifest. Having therefore spoken of the suppression of the terms; order requires now, that I should insist upon the overflowing of them, an effect no less dangerous than the former. And this immoderate flux of the months is defined to be a sanguineous excrement proceeding from the womb, exceeding both in quantity and time. First it is said to be sanguineous the matter of the flux being only blood; wherein it differs from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commonly called the false cources, or whites; of which I will speak hereafter. Secondly it is said to proceed from the womb: for there are two ways by which the blood flowesforth. The one is by the internal veins in in the body of the womb; and this is properly called the monthly flux. The other is by those veins which are terminated in the neck of the matrice and this is called of Aetius the Hemorrhodes of the womb. Lastly it is said to exceed both in quantity and time. In quantity saith Hypocrates when they flow above 18 ounces. 
Hippoc. lib. 1. de morbis mul.  In time saith Aristotle when they flow above three days. 
Aristotelis l. 7. de hist. animali ca 2.  But we take this for a certain character of their inordinate flowing, when the faculties of the body thereby are weakened. In body's abounding with gross humours, this immoderate flux sometimes unburdens nature of her load and ought not, to be stayed without the council of a Physician.  

Cause.  
The cause of this affect is internal or external. The internal cause is threefold; in the matter, instrument, or faculty. The matter, which is the blood, may be vicious two ways. First, in quantity, it being so great that the veins are not able to contain it. 
Hippoc. l. 2. de morbis mulierum.  Secondly, in quality, it being adust, sharp, waterish or unconcocted. The instrument viz: the veins are faulty by the dilatation of the orifice; which may be caused two ways: 
Per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  first, by the heat of the constitution, climate or season, heating the blood whereby the passages are dilated, and the faculty weakened that it cannot retain the blood. 
Per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Secondly, by false, blows, violent motion, breaking of a vein, etc.  
The external cause may be calidity of the air, lifting, carrying of heavy burdens, unnatural child birth, falls, etc.   

Signs.  
In this inordinate flux the appetite is decayed, the concoctions depraved, and all the actions weakened, the feet are swelled, the colour of the face is changed, and a general feebleness possesseth the whole body. If the flux comes by the breaking of a vein, the body is something cold, the blood flows forth on heaps and that suddenly with great pain. If it comes through heat, the orifice of the veins being dilated, then is there little or no pain, yet the blood flows faster than it doth in an Erosion, and not so fast as it doth in a Rupture. If by Erosion or sharpness of blood; she feels a great heat scalding the passage; It differs from the other two, in that it flows not so suddenly nor so copiously as they do. If by weakness of the womb, she abhorreth the use of Venus. Lastly if it proceeds from an evil quality in the blood; drop some of it on a cloth and when it is dry, 
Hippoc. lib. 1. de morbis mulierum.  you may judge of the quality by the colour. If it be choleric it will be yellow; If melancholy, black; If flegmaticall, waterish and whitish.   

Prognostics.  
If with the flux be joined a convulsion; it is 
o Hippoc. lib. 5▪ Aphor. 56.  dangerous, because it intimates the more noble parts are vitiated; and a convulsion caused by emptiness is deadly. If it continues long it will be cured with great difficulty: for it was one of the miracles which our Saviour Christ wrought to cure 
S. Math. 9.20▪  this disease when it had continued 12 years. To conclude, if the flux be inordinate 
p Hi●poc. l. 5.57.  many diseases will ensue; and without remedy, the blood together with the native hear being consumed, either chacheriall, hydropical, or paralytical diseases will follow.   

Cure.  
The cure consisteth in three particulars. First, in repelling and carrying back of the blood. Secondly, in correcting and taking away the fluxibility of the matter. Thirdly, in corroborating the veins and faculty. For the first; To cause a regression of the blood, open a vein in the arm, and draw out so much blood as the strength of the patient will permit; 
Non confertim sed per intervalla.  and that not together, but at several times; for hereby the spirits are the less weakened, and the retraction so much the greater.  
Apply cupping-glasses to the 
q Hyppoc. lib. 5. Aphor. 50.  breasts; and also to 
r Riolanus sect. 4. tract. 2. de morbis uteri.  the liver that the reversion may be in the fountain.  
To correct the fluxibility of the matter, catharticall means moderated with astrictories must be used.  
If it be caused by erosion or sharpness of blood; consider whether the Erosion be by salt phlegm, or adust choler. If by salt phlegm; Prepare with syrup of violets, wormwood, roses, citron-pills, succory, etc. then take this purgation following. ℞. myrobolan. chebul. ℥ s. trochiscks of agaric ʒi. with plantain water make a decoction: add thereunto sir. rosat. lax. ℥ iii make a potion.  
If by adust choler prepare the body with syrup of roses, myrtles, sorrel, purcelaine, commixed with water of plantain, knotgrass, and endive; Then purge with this potion. ℞. rinds of myrobolanes, rhubarbe, ana ʒi. cinnamon gr. xv. infuse them one night in endive water: Add to the straining pulp of tamarind, cassia, ana ℥ s. syrup of roses ℥ i. make a potion.  
If the blood be waterish and uncencoct as it is in hydropical bodies and flows forth by reason of the tenuity and thinness, the use of of hydragoga will be profitable. Purge with agaric, elaterium, and coloquintida. Sweeting is proper in this cause, for by it the matter offending is taken away, and the motion of the blood is carried to the outward parts. To procure sweat she may take cardvus water with mithridate: or the decoction of guajacum, fassafras, and sarsa-parilla, the gum of guajacum also doth greatly provoke sweat. Pills of Sarsa-parilla taken every night going to bed are worthily commended. If the blood flows forth from the opening or breaking of a vein, without any evil quality in its self, then ought only corroboratives to be applied; which is the last thing to be done in the cure of this inordinate flux.  
℞. Of bolearmonie ℈ i; London treacle ʒi. old conserve of roses ℥ s. with syrup of myrtles make an electuary. Or if the flux hath continued long ℞. Of mastic ʒii. olibani, troch. de carabe ana ʒi. balaustiorum, ℈ i. make a powder; with syrup of quinces make it into pills; take one always before meals. ℞. Lapidis haematitis triti ana ℈ two. aliʒi. troch. de carabe, de scoria ferri, coral, frankincense, ana ℈ i. fine bowl ℈ i. beat these to a fine powder; and with sugar and plantain water q.s. make lozenges. Ass' dung is well approved of whether taken inwardly with syrup of quinces, or applied outwardly with steeled water. Galen by conveying the juce of it through a metrenchita into the womb 4. days together, cured this immoderate flux which no ways else could be restrained. Going to bed let her take ℈ is. Philonii Romani in a wafer, make suffumigations for the matrice of mastic, frankincense, burnt frogs, not forgetting the hoof of a mule. ℞. Of the juce of knotgrass, comfery, quinces, ana ℥ i. campher, ʒi. dip silk cotton therein and apply it to the places. ℞. Oil of mastic, myrtles, quinces, ana ℥ s. fine bowl, troch. de carabe, sanguinis draconis, ana ʒi. wax and vinegar q.s. make an unguent, apply it both before and behind. ℞. Of plantain, shepherd's purse, red rose leaves ana M. iii of goats and asses dung dried ana ℥ is. acatiae, hypocistidos ana ℥ is dried mint ℥ i. bean meal ℥ iii boil all these in plantain water, and make of it two plasters: apply one before and the other behind. If the blood flows from those veins which are terminated in the neck of the matrice, than it is not called the overflowing of the terms but the hemorrhods of the womb: yet the same cure will serve them both; only the instrumental cure will a little differ; for in the esterine hemorrhods, the ends of the veins hang over like little teats or bushes which must be taken away by 
s Paulum lib. 6. c. 7●.  incision, 
Lege apud  and then the veins closed up with Aloes, fine bowl, burnt alum, troch. de terra sigil. myrrh, mastic, with the juce of comfery and knotgrass laid plasterwise thereto.  
The air must be cold and dry: all motion of the body is forbidden. Let her meat be Pheasant, Partridge, mountain birds, Coneys, Calves feet, etc. and let her beer be mixed with the juce of quinces and pomgranuts.    

CHAP. FOUR Of the Weeping of the womb.  
THE Weeping of the womb is an unnatural flux of blood coming from the womb by drops or after the manner of tears; causing violent pains in the same; keeping neither period nor time. By some it is referred unto the immoderate evacuation of the cources, yet they are distinguished in the quantity and manner of their flowing. 
Distinguu●secundùm magis & minus, & Exeundi ●odo.  In that they flow copiously and freely; In this continually, yet by 
s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  little and little, and that with great pain and difficulty: Wherefore it is likened unto the 
t Silvius comment. de mensibus mulierum.  strangury.  

Cause.  
The cause is in the faculty, instrument or matter. In the faculty, by being enfeebled, that it cannot expel the blood: and the blood resting there, makes the parts of the womb grow hard and stretcheth the vessels, from whence proceeds the 
u Dolour tensivus uteri.  pain in the womb. In the instrument, by the narrowness of the passages. Lastly, it may be in the matter of the blood, which may offend in too great a quantity, or in an evil quality, it being gross and thick that it cannot flow forth as it ought to do, but by drops.   

Signs.  
The signs will best appear by the relation of the patient.   

Prognostics.  
Hereupon will ensue pains in the head, stomach and back, with inflammations suffocations, and excoriations of the matrice.   

Cure.  
If the strength of the patient will permit, first open a vein in the arm, rub the upper parts, and let her arms be corded, that the force of the blood may be carried backward.  
Then apply such things as may laxate and mollify the stretching of the womb and assuage the sharpness of the blood; as cataplasms made of bran, lineseed, faengrecke, melilote, mallows, mercury and atriplex: If the blood be viscuous and gross add thereto mugwort, calamint, dictam, and betony: And let her take of Venice treacle the quantity of a nutmeg with syrup of mugwort every morning. Anoint the places with oil of lilies roses, lineseed, sweet almonds, and calf's marrow. Make injections of the decoction of mallows, mercury, lineseed, groundfuell, mugwort, faengrecke, with oil of sweet almonds.  
Sometimes it is caused by a wind, and then phlebotonie is to be omitted; and in the stead thereof ℞. Syrup of feverfew ℥ i. honey of roses, syrup of staechas, ana ℥ s. water of calamint, mugwort, betony, hyssop ana ℥ i. make a julep. If the pain continues, take this purgation. ℞. hieraeʒi. diachatholicon ℥ s. Syrup of roses laxative ℥ i. with the decoction of mugwort, and the 4. cordial flowers make a potion. If it comes through weakness of the faculty, let that be corroborated. If through grossness or sharpness of the blood, let the quality of it be altered as I have shown in the foregoing chapter. Lastly if the excrements of the gut be retained, provoke them by a clyster, of the decoction of chammomill, betony, feverfew, mallows, lineseed, juniper— berries, cummin-seed, aniceseed, melilo●e: adding thereto of diacatholicon, ℥ s. picraeʒii. honey, oil, ana ℥ i. Sal●iter ℥ is. The patient must abstain from salt, sharp, and windy meats.    

CHAP. V. Of the false cources or whites.  
FRom the womb proceeds not only the menstruous blood, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  but accidentally, many other excrements which by the Ancients are comprehended under the title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is a distillation of variety of corrupt humours through the womb, flowing from the whole body, or part of the same; keeping neither course, nor colour, but varying in both.  

Cause.  
The cause, is either promiscuously in the whole body, by a cachochymia or weakness of the same; or in some of the parts: as in the liver, which by the inability of the sanguifficative faculty, causeth a generation of corrupt blood; and then the matter is ruddish; sometimes in the gall, being sluggish in its office, not drawing away those choleric superfluities, which are engendered in the liver; and the matter is yellowish. Sometimes in the Spleen, not defecating and cleansing the blood of the dregges and excrementitious parts; and then the matter flowing forth, is blackish. It may also come from catarrhs in the head; or from any other putrified or corrupted member. But if the matter of the flux be white, 
The cause of the whites.  the cause is either in the stomach, or reynes. In the stomach by a flegmaticall and crude matter there contracted, and vitiated through 
w Ex maerore tristitia & animi affectionibus, vires deiiciuntur & vitiatur prima concocti●: Gal. arte medicina li.  grief, melancholy, and other distempers: for otherwise, if the matter were only Pituita, crude phlegm, and no ways corrupt or vitiated, being taken unto the liver it might be converted into blood, for phlegm in the ventricle, is called 
x Pituita e●● succus alimentarius, & sanguis ex dimidio c●ctus. Fernel. de functionibus & humoribus lib. 6. cap. 9 Dimidio coctum alimē●um; quòd in jecore concoctum, sanguis ti●. Fuc●s●us institut. med. lib. 1. Sect. 4●. 〈◊〉. 3. Secunda concoctio non potest co●rigere primam vitiatam.  nourishment half digested: But being corrupt though sent unto the liver, yet it cannot be turned into nutriment; for the second concoction cannot correct that which the first hath corrupted; and therefore the liver sends it to the womb which can neither digest it nor repel it and so it is voided out, still keeping the colour which it had in the ventricle. The cause also may be in the reynes being over heat, whereby the spermaticall matter by reason of its thinness flows forth. The external cause may be moistness of the air, eating of corrupt meats, anger, grief, slothfulness, immoderate sleeping, costiveness of body.   

Signs.  
The signs are extenuation of the body, shortness and stinking of breath, loathing of meat, pain in the 〈◊〉, swelling of the eyes and feet, melancholy, humidity flows from the womb of diverse colours, as reddish, black, green, yellow, white. It differs from the flowing and overflowing of the cources, in that it keeps no certain periods, and is of many colours, all which do degenerate from blood.   

Prognostics.  
If the flux be flegmaticall it will continue long and be difficult to cure yet if vomiting or the flux Diarrhaea hapeneth, diverting the humour it cures the disease. If it be choleric, it is not so permanent, yet more perilous, for it will cause (Rhagadia) cliffs in the neck of the womb, and sometimes make an excoriation in the matrix. If melancholius, it is most dangerous and contumacious: yet the 
y Hippoc. 6. Apho●. 11.  flux of the Hemorrhodes administers cure.   

Cure.  
If the matter flowing forth, be reddish, open a vein on the arm; if not, apply ligatures to the arms and shoulders. 
Galen. lib. de praenot. ad posthum. c. 8.  Galen glories of himself how he cured the wife of Boetus labouring of this disease, by rubbing the upper parts with crude honey.  
If it be caused by a distillation from the brain, take syrup of betony, staechas, and marjerom. Purge with pil. coach. sine quibus, de Agarico: Make nasalia of the juce of sage, hyssop, betony, nigella, with one drop of oil of cloves and a little silk cotton. ℞. elect. dianth. aromat. rosat. diamb●e, diamosci dulcis, ana ʒ i nutmeg ʒ s. with sugar and betonte water, make lozenges, to be taken every morning and evening. Take Aureae Alexandrinae ʒ s. at night going to bed. If these things help not, use the suffumigation, and plaster as they are prescribed pag. 203.  
If it proceeds from crudities in the stomach, or from a cold distempered liver, take every morning of the decoction of lignum sanctum. Purge with pil.. de agarico, de hermodact. de hiera diacolocynthil. fae●idae, agrigativae. ℞. elect. aromat. ros. ʒ two. cytron-pills dried, nutmeg, long pepper, ana ℈ i. diagalangae ʒ i santali albi, lignialoes ana ℈ s. sugar ℥ vi. with mint water make lozenges. Take of them before meals. If with frigility of the liver, there be join la repletion of the stomach, purging by vomit is commendable: for which take ʒ iii of the Electuary diasaru. Galen allows of dureticall means; as of Apium, petroselinum etc.  
If the matter of the flux be choleric, prepare the humour with syrup of roses, violets, endive, succory. Purge with myrobolanes, manna, rhubarbe, cassia. ℞. Of rhubarbe ʒ two. aniceseed ʒ i. cinnamon ℈ is. infuse them in ℥ vi. of prune broth. Add to the straining of manna ℥ i; and take it in the morning according to art. ℞. Specierum diatrionsantalon, diatragacant. frig. diarrhod. abbatis, diacydonit. ana ʒ i sugar ℥ iiii. with plantain water make lozenges. If the clyster of the gall be sluggish and do not stir up the faculty of the guts, give hot glisters of the decoction of the four mollifying herbs with honey of roses and Aloes.  
If the flux be melancholious, prepare with syrup of maidenhair, epithimum, polipodie, borage, bugloss, fumeterre, harts-tongue, and sirrupus bysantinus, which must be made without vinegar: otherwise it will rather animate the disease then nature; for melancholy by the use of vinegar is increased; and both by Hypocrates, Silvius, and Avenzoar it is disallowed of, as an enemy 
Hippoc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 3. de ratione victus in morbis acutis.  to the womb, and therefore not to be used inwardly in uterine diseases.  
Purgers of melancholy are pilulae fumariae, 
jacobus Silvius comment. de mensibus mulierum. Avenzoar lib. 2. tract. 5. c. 1.  pilulae Indae, pil de lapide lazuli, diasena and confectio hamech. ℞. Of stamped prunes ℥ two. seen ʒ i epithimum, polipodie, fumeterre, ana ʒ is. sour dates ℥ i. with endive water make a decoction: Take here of ℥ iiii, add unto it confectionis hamech ʒ iii manna ʒ iii Or ℞. pil. Indarum pil. faetidarum, agarici trochiscati ana ℈ i pills of rhubarbe ℈ s. lapidis lazuli gr. vi. with syrup of epithimum make pills, take them once every week. ℞. Elect. laetificantis Galeni ʒiii. diamargariti calidi ʒ i diamosci dulcis, conserveses of borage violets, bugloss, ana ʒ s. citron pills condited ʒ i. sugar ℥ seven. with rose water make lozenges.  
Lastly let the womb be clenged, from the corrupt matter, and then corroborated: for the purifying thereof, make injections of the decoction of betony, feverfew, mugwort, spikenard, bistow, mercury, sage, adding thereto sugar, oil of sweet Almonds ana ℥ two. pessaries also may be made of silk cotton, madified in the juce of the forenamed herbs. To corroborate the womb, you may thus prepare trochiskes. ℞. Of mugwort, feverfew, myrrhis, amber, mace, nutmeg, stirax, ligni aloes, red roses ana ℥ i. with the mucilage of tragacanth make trochisks: cast some of them on the coals, and smother the womb therewith. Make fomentations for the womb, of red wine, in which hath been decocted mastic, fine bowl balaustia, and red roses: An oint the matrix with oil of quinces and myrtles▪ and apply thereto Emplastrum pro matrice; and let her take of diamoscum dulce and elect. Aromaticum, every morning.  
A drying 
b Galen. lib. devictu atten●ante.  diet is commended to be best, because in this affect the body most commonly abounds with flegmati●all and crude humours. For this cause Hypocrates counsels the patient to go to bed supperless. 
Hippoc. l. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Let her meat be Partridge, Pheasant, mountain birds rather roasted than boiled. Immoderate sleep is forbidden moderate exercise is commanded.    

CHAP. VI Of the Suffocation of the Mother.  
THis affect which simply considered is none, but the cause of an affect, is called in English the Suffocation of the Mother, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; ab co quòd mulieres praefoces.  not because the womb is strangled, but for that it causeth the woman to be choked. It is a retraction of the womb towards the Diaphragme and stomach, which presseth and crusheth up the same, that the instrumental cause of respiration the midriff is saffocated; which consenting with the brain causeth the Animal faculty the efficient cause of respiration also to be intercepted; whereby the body being refrigerated, and the actions depraved, she falls to the ground, as one being dead.  
In these histericall passions some continue longer, some shorter. 
Rabbi Moses lib. 2. directorij cap. 41. jacobus Ruffius lib. 6. de morbis mulierum cap. 8.  Rabbi Moses writes of some, which lay in the paroxysm of the fit two days. Ruffius makes mention, of one, which continued in the same passion, three days and three nights; and at the three days end she revived. That we may learn by other men's harms to beware, I will give you one example more. 
Ambrose Paraeus lib. de generatione hominis cap. 64.  Paraeus writeth of a woman in Spain, which suddenly fell into a uterine suffocation and appeared to the judgement of man as dead: her friends wondering at this her sudden change, for their better satisfaction, sent to the Chirurgeon to have her dissected, who beginning to make an incision, the woman began to move, and with a great clamour returned to herself again, to the horror and admiration of all the spectators.  
To the end therefore, you may distinguish the living from the dead, the Ancients prescribe three experiments. The first, is to lay a light feather to the mouth, and by the motion of it you may judge, whether the patient be living or dead. The second, is to place a glass of water on the breast, and if you perceive it to move, it betokeneth life. The third is to hold a pure Looking-glass to the mouth & nose; and if the glass appear thick with a little dew upon it, it betokeneth life. And these three experiments are good; yet with this caution, that you ought not to depend on them too much: for, though the feather and the water do not move, and the glass continue pure and clear, yet it is not a necessary consequence that she is destitute of life: for, the motion of the lungs, by which the respiration is made, may be taken away that she cannot breathe; yet the internal transpiration of the heat may remain, which is not manifested by the motion of the br●st, or lungs, but lies occult in the heart and inward arteries. Examples 
c Arist. l 1. historia animali 1.  hereof we may have in the fly and swallow, which in the cold of winter, to the ocular aspect, seem dead, inanimate, and breathe not at all, yet they live by the transpiration of that heat which is reserved in the heart and inward arteries; therefore when the summer approacheth, the internal heat being revocated to the outward parts, they are then again revived out of their sleepy ecstasy.  
Those women therefore that seem to die suddenly, and upon no evident cause, let them not be committed unto the earth until the end of three days, lest the living be buried for the dead.  

Cause.  
The part affected is the womb; of which there is a twofold motion, natural and Symptomatical. The natural motion, is when the womb attracteth the humane seed, or excludeth the infant or secundine. The Symptomatical motion, of which we are here to speak, is a convulsive drawing upward of the womb.  
The cause usually is in the retention of the seed, or in the suppression of the months, causing a repletion of corrupt humours in the womb; from whence proceeds a flatulent refrigeration, causing a convulsion of the ligaments of the womb. And as it may come from humidity or repletion, being a convulsion, it may be caused by emptiness or 
d Arist. 1. de generatione animali.  dryness: and lastly, by Abortion or difficult childbirth.   

Signs.  
At the approaching of the suffocation there is a paleness of the face, 
Galenus 6. de locis affectis cap. 5.  weakness of the legs, shortness of breath, frigidity of the whole body with a working up into the throat, and then she falls down as one void both of sense and motion. The mouth of the womb is closed up, and being touched with the finger feels hard. The paroxysm of the fit once past, she openeth her eyes, and feeling her stomach oppressed, she offers to vomit. And lest that any should be deceived in taking one disease for another, I will show how it may be distinguished from those diseases which have the nearest affinity with its self. It differs from the Apoplexy, being it comes without shrieking out also in the hysterical passion, the sense of feeling is not altogether so destroyed and lost, as it is in the apoplectical disease. It differs from the Epilepsy in that the eyes are not wrested, neither do any spumy froth come from the mouth; and that convulsive motion which sometime is joined to the suffocation, is not so universal, as it is in the epilepsy, only this or that member is convulst, and that without any vehement agitation. In the Sincope both respiration and pulse is taken away; the countenance waxeth pale, & she 'swounds away suddenly; but in the histericall passion, commonly there is both respiration and pulse though it cannot well be perceived, her face looks red, and she hath a forewarning of her fit. Yet it is not denied but that a Sincope may be joined with this suffocation. Lastly, it is distinguished from the Lethargy by the pulse which in the one is great in the other little.   

Prognostics.  
If disease hath its being from the corruption of the seed, it foretells 
* Maguinus Mediolanensis, de regimine sanitatis. cap. de coi●u.  more danger than if it proceeded from the suppression of the cources; because the seed is concocted, and of a purer quality, than the menstruous blood; and the more pure being corrupted, becomes the more foul and filthy; as appears in eggs the purrest nourishment, which vitiated yield the noysomest savour. If it be accompanied with a Sincope, it shows nature is but weak, and that the spirits are almost exhausted. But if 
e Hippoc. lib. 5. Aphor. 35.  neezing follows, it shows that the heat which was almost extinct doth now begin to return, and that nature will subdue the disease.   

Cure.  
In the cure of this affect two things must be observed: first, that during the time of the pararoxisme, nature be provoked to expel those malignant vapours which binds up the senses, that she may be recalled out of that sleepy ecstasy. Secondly, that in the intermission of the fit, proper medicines be applied to take away the cause.  
To stir up nature, fasten cupping-glasses, to the hips and navel: Apply ligatures to the thighs. Rub the extreme parts with salt vinegar & musturd. 'Cause loud clamours and thunderings in her ears. Apply to the nose Assa faetida, castor and saga penum steeped in vinegar. Provoke her to sneeze, by blowing up into her nose the powder of castor, white pepper, pellitory, of Spain, and white Hellebore. Hold under her nose Partridge feathers, hair and old shoes burnt and all other stinking things: for evil odours are an enemy to nature, hence the Animal spirits do so contest and strive against them, that the natural heat is thereby restored. The brain is so oppressed sometimes that we are compelled to burn the outward skin of the head, with hot oil, or with a hot iron. Sharp clysters and suppositories are available. ℞ m.i. anice seed ℥ s. anaʒii. boil these in lib. two. of water to the half: add to the straining oil of castor ℥ two. picraeʒii. make a clyster. Or ℞. of honey boiled ℥ two. euphorbii ℈ s. Coloqnintida. gr. iiii, white hellebore gr. two. saltʒi. make a suppository. Hypocrates writeth of a hysterical woman which could not be freed from the paroxysm, 
Hippoc. 5. Epid.  but by pouring cold water on her: yet this cure is particular, and aught to be administered, in the 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hippoc. lib. 5. Aphor. 24.  midst of summer when the Sun is in the Tropic of Cancer.  
If it be caused by the retention and corruption of the seed; at the instant of the paroxysm, let the Midwife taken oil of lilies, marjerom, and bays, dissolving in the same of Civet and Musk ana gr. two. Let her dip her finger therein and put it up into the neck of the womb tickling and rubbing the same.  
The fit being over, proceed to the curing of the cause. If it ariseth from the suppression of the months look the cure, page 25 If from the retention of the seed; a good husband will administer cure: But those which cannot honestly purchase that cure, must use such things as will dry up and diminish the seed, as Diacyminum, diacalaminthes, etc. Amongst Botanics, the seed of Agnus Castus is well esteemed of whether taken inwardly, applied outwardly, or received as a suffumigation: It was held in great 
g Libra de ortu sanitatis. cap. 11.  honour amongst the Athenians, for by it they did remain as pure Vestales, and preserved their chastity, only by strowing it in the b●d whereon they lay; hence the name Agnus Castus, is taken from the effect. Make an issue on the inside of each leg, a handful breadth below the knee. ℞. Trochisks of agaric ℈ two. wild carrotseed, ligni aloes ana ℈ s. turpentineʒiii. with conserve of Anthos make a bolus. The use of castor is worthily commended, ʒi. of it being taken in white wine. Or you may make pills of it with mithridate and take them going to bed. ℞. Of white bryony root dried and cut after the manner of carrots ℥ i. Put it into a draught of wine placing it by the fire, 
Pharm. Dogmat. re●titu●a cap. 25  and when it is warm drink it of. Quercitane draweth a faecula out of the root, the substance of which is to be taken in white wine or peonie water. ℞. Of myrrh, castor, Assafaetida ana ℈ i. saffron, rue seed, ana gr. iiii. make 8 pills, take every night 2. at your entrance into bed. Galen by his own example commends unto us Agaricke pulverised, of which he gave frequently ℈ i. in white wine. ℞. anaʒs. ligni aloes, citron pills dried ana ℈ i. sugar ℥ iii with feverfew water make lozenges. ℞. Of tryphera magna Nic. ʒi. mugwort water ℥ iiii. Take this every other day for the space of 12 days. Hang about her neck little tabulets of Vngula Alces. ℞. Of bdellium, ammoniacum, and ℥ two. Agnus castus, century, Cassia-wood, feverfew, marjerom ana ʒis. turpentine q. s. make two plasters apply one before and the other behind. Lay to the navel at bedtime, a head of garlic bruised, fastening it with a sweathing band. Make a girdle of galbanum for the waist, and also a plaster for the belly, placing in one part of it, both civet and musk, which must be laid upon the navel. ℞. anaʒii. mithridate q. s. make a pessary: It purgeth the matrice of wind and phlegm: foment the natural parts with salad oil, in which hath been boiled rue, feverfew and chammomill. ℞. Of rose leaves m.i. cloves ℈ two. twilt them up in a little cloth and boil them in malmsie, the eight part of an hour; and then apply them close to the mouth of the womb as hot as may be endured: Let her be covered well that the smell passeth not to the nose.  
A drieing diet must be observed, the moderate use of Venus is commended. Let her bread be Anice seed biscuit; and her flesh meat, rather roasted than boiled.    

CHAP. VII. Of the descending or falling down of the Mother.  
THE falling down of the womb is a relaxation of the ligatures, whereby the matrice is carried backward, and in some, hangs out in the bigness of an egg. Of this there be two kinds distinguished of Fernelius by Descensus, 
Fernilius lib. 6. de partium morbis cap. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  and Prolapsus by a descending and a precipitation. The descending of the womb, is when it sinketh down to the entrance of the privities, and appears to the eye, either not at all or very little. The precipitation, is when the womb, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  like a purse, is turned the inside outward, and hangs betwixt the thighs in the bigness of a cupping-glass.  

Cause.  
The cause is external, or internal. The external cause is difficult child birth, violent pulling away of the secondine, rashness and inexperience in drawing away of the child, violent coughing, neezing, falls, blows, carrying of heavy burdens. The internal cause in general is overmuch humidity flowing unto those parts, hindering the operations of the womb, whereby the ligaments by which the womb is supported are relaxt. The cause in particular, is referred to be in the retention of the seed; 
Hippoc. 2. Epidem. Arist. 7. de historia animali.  or in the suppressions of the courses.   

Signs.  
The Arsgut and the bladder oftentimes are so crushed, that the passage of both the excrements is hindered. If the urine doth flow forth, it is white and thick: the proecordia are molested, the loins be grieved; the privities pained; the womb sinks down to the entrance of the private parts, or else comes clean out.   

Prognostics.  
This grief possessing an old woman, is cured with great difficulty, because it weakens the faculties of the womb, and therefore though it be reduced into his proper place, yet upon every occurrance it is subject to the like danger it was in before. So is it with the younger sort, if the disease be inveterate. If it be caused by putrefaction, in the nerves it is incurable.   

Cure.  
The womb naturally being placed between the straight gut and the bladder, and now fallen down, ought not to be put up again until the faculty both of the guts and bladder be stirred up.  
Nature being unloded of her burden, let the woman be placed on her 
h Hippoc. l. 2. de morbis mulierum.  back, in such sort that her legs may be higher than her head; let her feet be drawn up to her hinder parts, with her knees spread abroad. Then mollify the swelling with oil of Lilies and sweet Almonds; or with the decoction of mallows, beets, faengreck, and lineseed. When the inflation is dissiputed; let the midwife anoint her hand with oil of Mastic, and reduce the womb into its place. The matrice being put up, the situation of the patient must be changed. Let her legs be out at length and laid together. Set cuppingglasses to the breasts and navel. Boil Mugwort, Feverfew, red Roses, and comfery in red Wine, and foment the places therewith. Make a suffumigation for the matrice of Castor assa faetida, Frankincense and Mastic; ℞. anaʒiii, Mastic, Styrax, Frank in●ence, ana ℥ i. boleʒis. with oil of myrtles and wax make two plasters apply one before and the other behind. ℞. Of red roses, pomegranate pills, Accorne cups, Myrtle berries, ana ℥ two. Medler leaves, Sage, Rue, Origan, Comferie, wormwood ana mis. boil all these in water and make an insession. Move sweet odours. to the nose: And at the coming out of the Bath, give her of syrup of Feverfew ℥ i. with ʒi. of anaʒiii. Galbani ℥ s. Styracisʒ; two. make a plaster for the navel. Make pessaries of Assafaetida, Saffron, Comfery, mastic, adding there to a little Castor. The practice of Paraeus, 
Paraeus de generatione hominis cap. 41.  in this cause, was to make them only of cork, in figure like a little egg, covering them over with wax and mastic dissolved together, fastening to it a thread, and so to put it up into the womb. The present danger being new taken away, and the matrice seared in its natural abode, the remote cause must be removed. If the body be plethoric open a vein; Prepare with syrup of betony, calamint, hyssop, and feverfew. Purge with pil. de hire a cum agarico, pil. de colocynthide. If the stomach be oppressed by crudities, unburden it by vomiting. Sudorifficall decoctions of Lignum sanctum and sassifras taken twenty days together dries, up the superfluous moister and consequently suppresseth the cause of the disease.  
Let the air be hot and dry, and your diet hot and attenuating. Abstain from dancing, leaping, neezing, and from all motion both of body and mind. Eat sparingly; drink not much: sleep moderately.    

CHAP. VIII. Of the Inflammation of the womb.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  THE Phlegmon or inflammation of the matrice, is a tumour possessing the whole womb or part of it, accompanied with unnatural heat, by obstructions and gathering together of corrupt blood.  

Cause.  
The cause of this affect is suppression of the months, repletion of the whole body, immoderate use of Venus, often handling of the genitals, difficult childbirth, vehement agitation of the body, falls, blows; to which also may be added the use of sharp pessaries, whereby not seldom the womb is inflamed. Cupping-glasses also fastened to the pubes and hypogastrium draw the humours to the womb.   

Signs.  
The signs are aguish horrors, pains in the head and stomach, vomiting, coldness of the knees, convulsions of the neck, doting, trembling of the heart; sometimes there is a Dyspnaea or straightness of breath, by reason of the heat which is communicated to the diaphragme. The breasts symphathizing with the womb are pained and swelled. Particular signs. If the forepart of the matrice be inflamed, the privities are grieved, the urine is suppressed, or flows forth with difficutie. If the after part; the loins and back suffer, the excrements are retained. If the right side; the right hip suffers, the right leg is heavy slow to to motion, in so much that sometimes she seems to haut. And so if the left side of the womb be inflamed, the left hip is pained, and the left leg is weaker than the right. If the neck of the womb be affected; the midwife, putting up her finger, shall feel the mouth of it retracted and closed up, with a hardness about it.   

Prognostics.  
All inflammations of the womb are 
i Hippoc. l. 2. de marbis mulierum. 5 Aphor. 43.  dangerous, if not deadly; and especially if the total substance of the matrice be inflamed. Yet less perilous are they if they be in the neck of the womb. A flux of the belly foretells health if it be natural; for nature works best by the use of her own instruments.   

Cure.  
In the cure, first, let the humours flowing to the womb be repelled; for effecting of which, after the belly hath been loosened by cooling clysters, phlebotomy will be needful. Open therefore a vein on the arm; and if she be not with child, the day after strike the Saphena on both feet. Fasten ligatures and Cupping— glasses to the arms; rub the upper parts.  
Purge lightly with Seneʒii. Anice seed ℈ i. myrobolanes ℥ s. Barley water. s.q. make a decoction: dissolve in it syrup of Succory with Rhubarbe ℥ two. pulp of Cassia ℥ s. oil of Anice seed gut. two. make a potion. At the beginning of the disease anoint the privities and reynes, with oil of roses and quinces. Make plasters of Plantain, Lineseed, Barley meal, Melilote, Fengrecke, whites of eggs, and if the pain be vehement, add a little opium. Foment the genitals with the decoction of Poppieheads, purcelaine, knotgrass, and waterlillies. Make injections of Goates-milke, rose water, clarified whey, with honey of roses. In the declining of the disease, use insessions of Sage, Lineseed, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, horehound, faengrecke. Anoint the lower parts of the belly with oil of chammomill, and violets. ℞. Of lily roots, mallow roots ana ℥ iiii. mercury m.i. Mugwort, feverfew ana m.s. Chammomill flowers, melilote, ana. p.i. bruise the herbs and the roots and boil them in a sufficient quantity of milk: then add of fresh butter, oil of chammomill, lilies, ana ℥ two. bean meal s.q. make two plasters apply one before and the other behind.  
If the tumour cannot be removed but tends to suppuration ℞. Of faengrecke, mallow roots, decocted figs, line seed, barley meal, doves dung, turpentine ana ʒiii. suetʒs. opium ℈ s. with wax make a plaster. ℞. Of bay leaves, sage, hyssop, chammomill, mugwort with water make an insession. ℞. Of wormwood, betony ana ms. white wine, milk ana lib. s. boil them until one part be consumed; then take of this decoction ℥ iiii. honey of roses ℥ two, make an injection. Yet beware the humours be not brought down unto the womb. ℞. anaʒiii. anaʒi, opium gr. two. with wax make a pessary.  
The air must be cold: All motion of the body, especially of the lower parts is forbidden Vigilancy is commended, for by sleep the humours are carried inward, whereby the inflammation is increased, eat sparingly. Let your drink be barley water or clarified whey; and your meat chickens and chicken broth boiled with endive, succhorie, sorrel, bugloss and mallows.    

CHAP. IX. Of the schirrosity or hardness of the womb.  
OF a Phlegmon neglected, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  or not perfectly cured, 
Galenus lib. 2. artis curativae ad Glauconem.  is generated a Schirrus of the matrice, which is a hard unnatural swelling insensible, hindering the operations of the womb, and disposing the whole body to slothfulness.  

Cause.  
One cause of this disease may be as●i●ed to want of judgement in the Physician; as many Empirics, administering to an inflammation of the womb, do over much refrigerate & astring the humour, that it can neither pass forward no backward; hence the matter being condensed degenerates as it were into lapidious or hard substance. Other causes may be suppression of the menstrualls; retention of the Lochia, commonly called the after-purging; eating of corrupt meats, as in the disordinate longing called Pica, unto which breeding women are often subject. It may proceed also from obstructions and ulcers in the Matrix; or from evil affects in the Liver and Spleen.   

Signs.  
If the bottom of the womb be affected, she feels, as it were, a heavy burden representing a mole; yet differing in that the breasts are attenuated, and the whole body waxeth less. If the neck of the womb be hardened, no outward humour will appear; the mouth of it is retracted, and being touched with the finger feels hard, that she cannot have the company of a man without great pain and prickings.   

Prognostics.  
A Schirrus confirmed, is 
i Riolanus de morbis uteri sect 4. tract. 2.  incurable, and will turn into a Canker or a Dropsy, and ending in a Canker proves 
Hippoc. libro. 6. Aphor. 38.  deadly; because the native heat in those parts, being almost smothered, can hardly again be restored.   

Cure.  
Where there is a replection, phlebotomy by our master Galen is both commended and commanded. Wherefore open the mediana on both arms, and then the Saphena on both feet, especially if the terms be suppressed.  
Prepare the humour with Syrup of Borage, Succhory, Epithimum, and clarified Whey. Then take of these Pills following, according to the strength of the patient. ℞. picraeʒuj. anaʒiis. anaʒis. misce make Pills. The body being purged, proceed to mollify the hardness, as followeth. Anoint the privities and the neck of the womb with Vnguentum dialtheae and agrippae. Or ℞ Myrrhaeʒij. Saffronʒ9. Dissolve the gums in Oil of Lilies and sweet Almonds; with Wax and Turpentine make an Unguent. Apply below the navel the plaster of Melilot and Diachylon Fernelij. Make insessions of Figs, Mugwort, Mallows, pennyroyal, Althaea, Fenell roots, Meliote, Foengrecke, Line seed boiled in water. Make injections of Calamint, Line seed, Melilote, Foengrecke, and the four mollifying herbs, with oil of Dill, Chammomile, and Lilies, dissolving the same ʒiij. of the gum Bdellium. Cast the stone Pyrites on the coals, and let her receive the fume of it into her womb. Foment the secret parts with the decoction of the leaves and roots of Danewort. ℞. anaʒi. Iu●e of Danewort, Mucilage of Fengrecke, anna ℥ s. Calf's marrow ℥ i. q.s. make a pessary. Or make a pessary only of Lead, dipping it in the aforesaid things, and so put it up.  
The air must be temperate. Gross, viscuous, and salt meats are forbidden; as Pork, Bulls-beefe, Fish, old cheese, etc.    

CHAP. 10. Of the dropsy of the womb.  
THE uterine dropsy is an unnatural swelling, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  ellevated by the gathering together of wind, or phlegm in the cavity, membranes, or substance of the womb, by reason of the debility of the native heat not digesting the aliment received, and so it turns into an excrement.  

Cause.  
The causes, are over much cold and moistness of the Milt and Liver, immoderate drinking, eating of crude meats; all which causing a repletion do suffocate the native heat. It may be caused likewise by the overoflowing of the courses, or by any other immoderate evacuation. To these may be added abortion, ulcers, phlegmons, and schirrosities of the womb.   

Signs.  
The signs of this affect are these. The lower parts of the belly with the genitals are puffed up and pained, the feet swell; the natural colour of the face decays, the appetite is depraved, and the heaviness of the whole body concurres: If she turns herself in the bed from one side to the other, a noise like the flowing of water is heard. Water sometimes comes from the matrice. If the swelling be caused by wind, the belly being hit with the hand, sounds like a drum; the guts rumble, and the wind breaks through the neck of the womb with a murmuring noise. This affect may be distinguished from a true conception many ways, as will appear by comparing this chapter with the 14. It is distinguished from the general dropsy in that the lower parts of the belly are most swelled. Again, in this the s●nguificative faculty doth not appear so hurt, nor the urine so pale, nor the countenance so soon changed; neither are the superior parts so extenuated as in the general dropsy.   

Prognostickes.  
This affect foretells the total ruin of the natural functions, by that singular consent the womb hath with the liver, and therefore that a cachexia or a general dropsy will follow.   

Cure.  
In the cure of this disease, imitate the practice of Hypocrates. 
Hippoc. lib. de morb mulierum.  First, mitigate the pain with fomentations of Melilote, Mercury, Mallows, Line seed, Chammomile, Althaea. Then let the humour be prepared with syrrupe of Staechas, Hyssop, Calamint, Mugwort, de bisant. With the distilled waters or decoctions, of Dodder, Marjorum, Sage, Origan, Sperage, Pennyroyal, Betony. Purge with seen Agaricke, Rhubarb, Elaterium. ℞. Specierum hierae, Rhubarb, trochisckes of Agaricke ana ℈ i. with the juce of Ireos make pills. Or ℞. pill de Rhubarbaro ℥ s. pill de mezereo ℈ i. with Mugwort water make pills. In diseases which have their being from moistness, purge with pills: and in those affects which are caused by emptiness or dryness, purge with potions. Fasten cupping glass to the belly with a great flame, and also to the navel, especially if the swelling be flatulent. Make an issue on the inside of each leg a handful breadth below the knee. ℞. anaʒij. Sugar lb. i. with Betony water m●ke Lozenges: take of them two hours before meals. Apply to the bottom of the belly, as hot as may be endured, a little bag of Chammomill, Cummin, and Melilot, boiled in Oil of rue. Anoint the belly and secret parts with Vnguentum Agrippae, and Vnguentum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, mingling therewith Oil of Ireos. Cover the lower parts of the belly with the plaster of bay berries; or with a cataplasm made of Cummin, Chammomill, Briony roots, adding thereto Cows and Goat's dung. Our Moderns ascribe a great virtue to Tobacco water, distilled and poured into the womb by a metrenchyta. ℞. of Baume Sothern wood, Organ, Wormwood, Calamint, Bayleaves, Marjorom, ana m i. juniper berries ℥ iiij. with water make a decoction: of this may be made fomentations, injections and insessions. Make pessaries of S●yrax, Aloes, with the roots of Dictam, Aristolochia, and Gentiane. Instead of this you may use the pessary prescribed pag. 77. Let her take of Electuarinus aromaticum, diasat●rion, and Eringo roots, condited every morning.  
The are must be hot and dry: moderate exercise is allowed. Much sleep is forbidden. She may oat the flesh of Patridges, Larks, Chickens, mountain birds, Hares, Coneys, etc. Let her drink be thin Wine.    

CHAP. 11. Of Barrenness.  

Ho fuit maximum Opus obstetricum, scire conj●ngere invicem corpora apta ad conceptione. Nimole●● Rocheus de morbis ●●l. ●●p. 20.  IN times passed before women came to the marriage bed, they were first searched by the midwife; and those only which she allowed of, as fruitful, were admitted. I hope therefore it will be thought a needle's labour, to show how ye may prove yourselves, and turn the stonny ground into a fruitful soil.  
barenness is a deprivation of life and power which ought to be in the seed, to procreate and propagate; for which end both man and woman were made.  

Cause.  
It is caused by overmuch heat or cold; 
Hippoc. 6. Epiden. 5. Aphor. 62.  that drying up the seed, and making it corrupt; this, extinguishing the life of the seed making it waterish and unfit for generation. It may be caused also by the not flowing or overflowing of the cources, by swellings, ulcers and inflammations of the womb; by an 
k Mauricius Cordo●●● in Hippoc. lib. 1. de mulier●bus, comm●ni. 2.  excrescence of flesh growing about the mouth of the matrice: by the mouth of the womb being turned unto to the back, or side: by the grossness and fatness of the body, whereby the mouth of the matrice is closed up, by being pressed with the 
l Hippoc. 5. Aphor. 46.  Omentum or call; and the 
m Arist. 2. de partibus animal.  matter of the seed is converted into fatness. Or if she be of a lean and exhaust body, to the world she proves barren, because though she doth conceive yet the fruit 
n Hippoc. 5. Aphor. 44.  of the womb will wither before it comes to perfection for want of nourishment. 

Actius libro ultimo cap. 26.  
Silvius libell● de generatione b●mi●●s commeat.   Aetius and Silvius, ascribe one main cause of barrenness to compelled copulation; as when parents enforce their daughters to have busbands contrary to their liking, therein marrying their bodies but not their hearts, 
Coitus co●ctus, est coitus inanis.  and where there is a want of love, there for the most part is no conception; as appears in women which are 
o Non concipitur saet●s absque mutu● voluptate. Columbia de Anatom. l. 11. cap. 16. Cuj●sque omplexionis excessus mutuâ qualitatum contrariarum repugn●nti● coerceretur.  deflowered against their will. Another main cause of barrenness, is attributed to the want of a convenient moderating quality, which the woman ought to have with the man, as if he be hot, she must be cold; If he be dry, she must be moist: But if they be both dry or both moist of constitution, they cannot propagate, 
p Sape tamen usu venit, ut ●●●ter coen●●●um sit sterilis s●d quia eorum int●r se s●nt abhorrentes naturae, nihilidcircò exs●s●, es all is verò ge●n rare p●ss●nt. Fernelius de pariium morbit & Symptom. lib. 6. cap. 7.  and yet simply considered of themselves they are not barren; for he or she which before was as the barren figtree, being now joined with an apt constitution becomes as the fruitful Vine. And that man and women being every way of a like constitution cannot procreate, I will bring nature itself for a testimony, who hath made man of a hotter constitution, 

Cum itaque calidum frigide, commixtum fuerit, ex hisjusmodi c●mmixti●●e aliquid generari potest.  
Hortensius Baptista lib. ●1. divin. instit de aminia vegitiva cap. 19   than woman, that the quality of the one may moderate the quality of the other.   

Signs.  
If barrenness proceeds from the overmuch heat, she is of a dry body, subject to anger, she hath black hair, quick purfe; her purgations flow but little, and that with pain; she loves to play in the courts of Venus. But if it comes by cold, then are the signs contrary to those even now recited. If through an evil quality in the womb: Make a suffumigation of red storax, 
Hippoc. lib. 5. Aphor. 59  myrrh, cassia wood, nutmeg, cinnamon, and let her receive the sum of it into the womb, covering her very close; and if the odour so received passeth through the body up into the mouth and nostrils; 
Lege apud Moschionem cap. 161.  of herself she is fruitful: but if she feels not the fume in her mouth and nose, it argues barrenness one of these ways; that the spirit of the seed is either through cold extinguished, or through heat dissipated. If any woman be suspected to be unfruitful, cast natural brimstone such as is digged out of the mine, into her urine and if worms breed therein, of herself she is not barren.   

Prognostics.  
Barrenness maketh women look young, because they are free from those pains and sorrows, which other women are accustomed to bring forth withal. Yet they have not that full perfection of health which fruitful women do enjoy, because they are not rightly purged of the menstruous blood and superfluous seed, the retaining of which two, are the principal cause of most uterine diseases.   

Cure.  
First the cause shall be removed, and then the womb strengthened, and the spirits of the seed enlived.  
If the womb be overhot; take syrup of succhorie with rhubarbe, syrup of violets, endive, roses, cassia, purslane. ℞. Ofendive, water lilies, borage flowers, ana m. anaʒiii. with water make a decoction, add to the straining of the syrup laxative of violets ℥ i. syrup of cassia ℥ s. mannaʒiii, make a potion. ℞. Of the syrup of mugwort ℥ i. syrup of maiden hair ℥ two. water of succhorie, borage, fuel, ana ℥ iii pul●. elect. tri●sand. ʒi. anaʒiii. rhubarbe ℈ i. make a bolus. Apply to the reynes and privities, fomentations of the juce of lettuce, violets, roses, mallows, vine leaves and nightshade. Anoint the secret parts with the cooling unguent of Galen.  
If the power of the seed be extinguished by cold▪ Take every morning two spoonfuls of cinnamon water with ℈ i. of mithridate. ℞. Syrup of calamint, mugwort, betony ana ℥ i. water of penny royal, feverfew, hyssop, sage ana ℥ two. make a julep. ℞. Oil of anice seed ℈ is. anaʒi. sugar ℥ iiii. themʒis. twice a day two hours before meals. East●n cupping-glasses to the hips and belly. ℞. of stira●●, calamint, ana ℥ i. mastic, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, lig. aloes, frankincense ana ℥ s. musk gr. 10. ambergrise ℈ s. with rose-water make a confection: divide it into four equal parts; Of one part make a pomum odoratum to smell on, if she be not hysterical. Of the second, make a mass of pills, and let her take three every night. Of the third, make a pessary, dip it in oil of spikenard and put it up. Of the fourth make a suffumigation for the womb. If the faculties of the womb be weakened, and the life of the seed suffocated by over much humidity, flowing to those parts; ℞. Of betony, marierom, mugwort, penny royal, balm ana m.i. anaʒii. anaʒi. with sugar and water. s. q. make a syrup, take of ℥ iii every other morning. Purge with these pills following; ℞. Of digridion gr.ii. specierum dacastorei, ℈ i. pil. fetid. ℈ two. with syrup of mugwort make vi. anaʒi. cinnamonʒis. anaʒs. sugar ℥ vi. with water of feverfew make lozenges, to be taken of every morning▪ Take of the decoction of sarsaparilla, and virga aurea, not forgetting sage; which Agrippa wondering at the operation of, hath honoured it with the name of a holy herb. 
Sacra berba.  And it is recorded, that after so many of the Egyptians were dead, 
Heurnius methodus ad praxin. cap. 14.  the surviving women that they might multiply the faster, 
Read D●d●naeus history of plants. lib. 2. cap. 77.  were commanded to drink the juce of sage. Anoint the genitals with oil of aniceseed and anaʒi. anaʒs. turpentine q s. ●●●ke trochis●ks, to smother the ●●ombe. ℞. Of the roots of Va●●rian, ellecampane, ana lb. i ●●ulangale ℥ two. origan, lavender, marjerom, betony, mugwort bayleaves, calamint ana 〈◊〉. iii with water make an procession, in which she shall 〈◊〉 after she hath had her ●●ources.  
If barrenness proceeds ●●om dryness consuming ●●e matter of the seed; Take very day of Almond milk, ●●d Goat's milk extracted ●ith honey. Eat often of ●●e roots Satyrion condited, ●●nd of the electuary diasaty●on. Take three weathers ●●ds, boil them until the flesh comes from the bones; then take of melilote, violets, chammomill▪ mercury, orchi●, with their roots ana m.i. faengrecke, lineseed, vale●an roots ana li. ay. Let all these be decocted in the foresaid broth, then let the woman fit in the decoction up to the navel. ℞. Of Decres suet ℥ ●. anaʒii. oil of sweet almonds ℥ two. with silk cotton make a pessary. Make injections only of fresh butter and oil of sweet almonds.  
If barrenness be caused by any proper affect of the womb, the cure is set down in the foregoing chapters. Sometimes the woman proves barren when there is no impediment of either side; except only in the manner of the act: as when in the emission of the seed, the man is quick and the woman too slow, whereby there is not a concourse of both seeds at the same instant, as the 
* Petrus Bayr●●● prac●. lib. 3.15. cap.  rules of conception require. Wherefore to take away this inconvenience, Muller praeparari ac disponi debet molli complexu, lascivis verbis osculu lasciviora miscenda. If this doth not suffice; before the act of coition, foment the private parts with the decoction of betony-sage, hyssop, and calamint. Anoint the mouth and neck of the womb with Musk and Civet.  
The cause of barrenness being removed, the womb shall be corroborated as follows. ℞. Of bay berries, mastic, Nutmeg Frankincense, Cypress nuts, Ladani, Galbani, ana ʒi. Styracis liquid ℈ two. Cloves ℈ s. Amber grise gr. ij. Musk gr. vi. with Oil of spikenard, make a pessary. ℞. of red Roses, Lapidis hematitis, white Frankincense ana ℥ s. anaʒii. anaʒi. Spicknard ℈ s. with oil of Wormwood make a plaster for the lower part of the belly. Let her eat often of Eringo roots condited. Make an injection only of the juce of the roots of Satyrion.  
The aptest time for conception is instantly after the months be ceased, because then the womb is thirsty and dry, 
Post purgationem siccior est vierus et semen avidius ●●abit.  apt to draw the seed, and also to retain it, by the roughness of the inward superficies. And beside, in some, the mouth of the womb is turned unto the back, 
Rhoderic. cast de natura muliebri lib. 2. cap. 13.  or side, and is not place right until the last day of the courses.  
Excess in all things is to be avoided; lay aside all passions of the mind. eat study and care as adverse to conception; for if a woman doth conceive, the wise parents being otherwise addicted, of ten beget but foolish children, because the animal faculties of the parents viz. The understanding and the rest (from whence the child hath his reason) are, as it were, confused through the multiplicity of cares and cogitations. Examples hereof we have in learned men, who after great study and care, instantly accompanying with their wives, often beget doting children. A hot, and moist air is most convenient, as appears by the women in Egypt, which usually bring forth three, or four children at one time.    

CHAP. 12. Of the Mola, or halfeconception.  
THis disease, is called of the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and the cause of this denomination is taken from the load or heavy weight of it, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  it being a moles, or great lump of hard flesh burdening the woman.  
It is defined to be an inarticulate piece of flesh without form, begotten in the matrice, as it were, a true conception: In which definition we are to note two things. First, in that a mole is said to be inarticulate, and without form, it differs from monsters, which are both formata and articulata. Secondly, it is said to be, as it were, a true conception, which puts a difference between a true conception and a mole; which difference holds good three ways. First, in the Genus, in that a mole cannot be fayd to be animal. Secondly, in the Species, because it hath no humane figure and bears, not the character of a man. Thirdly, in the Individuum, for it hath no affinity with the parent, either in the whole body, or any particle of the same.  

'Cause  
About the cause of this affect, amongst learned authors I find variety of judgements. 
m Avicenna 10 de animalibus et 21. tertij tract. 2. cap. 19  Some are of opinion, that if the woman's seed goes into the womb and not the man's, thereof is the mole produced. Others there be that affirm it is engendered of the menstruous blood: 
Aristol. 4. the generatione animali. cap. 7.  but if these two were granted, 
Plinius lib. 10. cap. 64.  than maids by having their courses, or through nocturnal pollutions might be subject unto the same, 
Hippoc. 2. Epidem.  which never any yet were. The true cause of this fleshy mole proceeds both from the man, 
Galenus 14. de usu partium. 17.  and from the woman, from corrupt or barren seed in the man, and from the menstruous blood in the woman both mixed together in the cavity of the womb; where nature finding herself weak (yet desiring to maintain the perpetuity of her species) labours to bring forth a vicious conception rather than none. and so instead of a living creature generates a lump of flesh.   

Signs.  
The signs of a mole are these. The months are suppressed, the appetite is depraved, the breasts swell, and the belly is puffed up and waxeth hard. Thus far the signs of a breeding woman, and of one that beareth a mole are all one. I will now show you how they differ.  
The first sign of difference is taken from the motion of a mole; it may be felt to move in the womb before the third month, which the infant cannot: yet that motion is not to be understood of any intelligent power in the mole, but of the faculty of the womb, and of the seminal spirits defused through the substance of the mole; for it lives not a life animal, but vegitative in the manner of a plant. Secondly, in a mole, the belly is suddenly puffed up; but in a true conception the belly is first retracted and then riseth again by degrees. Thirdly, the belly being pressed with the hand, the mole gives way, and the hand being taken a way it returns to the place again: But a child in the womb, though pressed with the hand, moves not presently, and being removed returns slowly or not at all. Lastly, the child continues in the womb not above eleven months; but a mole continues sometimes four or five years, more or less according as it is fastened in the matrice. I have known when a mole hath fallen away in the fourth or fifth month.  
If it remains until the eleventh month, the legs wax feeble, and the whole body consumes; only the swelling of the belly still increaseth, which makes some think they are hydropical though there be little reason for it; for in the Dropsy the legs swell and grow big, but in a mole they consume, and wither.   

Prognostickes.  
If at the delivery of a mole the Flux of blood be great, it shows the more danger; because the parts of nutrition having been vitiated by the flowing back of the superfluous humours, whereby the natural heat is consumed: and then parting with so much blood, the woman thereby is so weakened in all her faculties, that she can hardly subsist.   

Cure.  
We are taught in the school of Hypocrates, 
Libro. 5. Aphorism. 31.  that phlegbotomy causeth abortion, by taking away that nourishment, which should sustain the life of the child. Wherefore, that this vicious conception may be deprived of that vegetative sap by which it lives; open the liver vein, and then the saphena on both feet. Fasten Cupping-glasses to the loins and sides of the belly: which done, let the uterine parts be first mollified, and then expulsive faculty provoked to expel the burden.  
To laxate the ligatures of the mole: ℞. m.iij Chammomile, Melilot, Pellitory of the wall, Violet leaves, Mercury, roots of Fenell, Parsly ana m. ij. Lineseed, Faengrecke, ana lb. i. boil them in water and let her sit therein up to the navel. At the going out of the bath, anoint the privities, and reins with this unguent following. ℞. oil of Chammomile, Lilies, and sweet Almonds ana ℥ i. fresh butter, Labdani, Ammoniaci, ana ℥ s. with the Oil of Lineseed, make an unguent. Or instead of this may be used ●nguentum Agrippa or Dialtheae. ℞. of Mercury, roots of Althaea, ana m. s. fol. Branchae Vrsinae m. s. Lineseed, Barley meal, ana ℥ vi. boil all these with water and honey, and make a plaster. Make pessaries of the gum Galbanum bdellium, Ammoniacum Figgs, Hogs sure, and Honey.  
After the ligaments of the mole are loosed; let the expulsive faculty be stirred up to expel the mole, for effecting of which all medicaments may be used which are proper to bring down the courses. ℞. troch de myrrha ℥ i. castor, aristolochia, Genti●●, dictam, ana ℥ s. likeʒi. in ℥ iiij. of Mugwort water. ℞. of Hypericon, Calamint, Pennyroyal, Betony, Hyssop, Sage, Horebound Valerian, Madder, Sabine with water make a decoction, take ℥ iij. of it with ℥ is. of Syrup of Feverfew. ℞. of Mugwort, Myrrh, Gentiane pil. coach. ana ℈ iiij▪ anaʒs. assa foetida, Cinnamon, juniper berries, Borage, ana ʒi. with the juice of Sabine make pills to be taken of every morning. Make insessions of Hyssop, Bay leaves, Assrum, Calamint, Bayberries, Chammomile, Mugwort, Sabine. ℞. of Sagapenum, Marjerom, Gentiane, Sabine, Cloves, Nutmeg, Bay-berries, ana ℈ ij. Galbanumʒi. hierae picrae, black Hellebore, ana ℈ i. with Turpentine make a pessary. But if these things prove not available; then must the mole be drawn away with an instrument put up into womb, called a Pes griphius; which may be done with no great danger, if it be performed by a skilful Chirurgeon.  
After the delivery of the mole (by reason that the woman hath parted with much blood already) let the flux of blood be stayed as fast as may be.  
Fasten Cupping-glasses to the shoulder, and ligatures to the arms. If these help not; open the liver-veine on the right arm.  
The air shall be moderately hot and dry; and her diet such as doth mollify and attenuate, she may drink white wine.    

CHAP. XIII. Of the generation of monsters.  
BY the Ancients monsters are ascribed to depraved conceptions; and are defined to be excursions of nature, which are 
n Heurnius institut. medicine. lib. 5. cap. 8.  vicious one of these four ways. In figure, situation, magnitude, or number.  
In figure, when a man bears the character of a beast, as did the 
o Ruffius de mul. lib. 5. cap. 3.  monster in Saxonia, which was borne about the time of Luther's preaching.  
In magnitude, when one part doth not equalise with another, as when one part is too big or too little for the other parts of the body; and this is so common amongst us, that I need not produce a testimony for it.  
In situation, as if the ears were on the face and the eyes on the breast or legs, of this kind was the 
p Conradus Licostenes tractat. de miraculis.  monster borne at Ravenna in Italy, in the year 1512.  
In number, when a man hath two heads or four hands, of this kind was the 
q Ludovicus lib. 24. cap. 3.  monster borne at Zarz●ra in the year 1540  
I proceed to the cause of their generation, which is either Divine or Natural. The Divine cause proceeds from the permissive will of God, suffering parents to bring forth such abominations, for their filthy and corrupt affections which are let loose unto wickedness, like brute beasts that have no understanding. Wherefore it was enacted amongst the ancient Romans, that those which were any ways 
r Gellius lib. 1. cap. 12.  deformed should not be admitted into religious houses. 
L● 18. epistola and Demetriadem. lib. 2.  And S. Hierome in his time grieved to see the deformed and lame offered up to God in religious houses. 
Lib. de arte conci●●●●di.  And Keker●a●e by way of inference excludeth all that are misshapen from the presbyterial function in the Church: and that which is of more force then all, 
Levit. 21.18.  God himself commanded Moses not to receive such to offer sacrifice amongst his people; and he renders the reason, Lest he pollute my sanctuaries: 
Verse 23.  because the outward deformity of the body is often a sign of the pollution of the heart, 
Quot natunra nolavit d●mn●vit.  as a curse laid upon the child for the parent's incontinency. Yet there are many borne depraved which ought not to be ascribed unto the infirmity of the parents. 
S. joh 9●. 2.  Let us therefore search out the natural cause of their generation, which (according to Aristotle and Avicen which have dieved into the secrets of nature) is either in the matter or in the agent, 
Arist. t. tertio mat●●r. Avicenna 2. metaph.  in the seed or in the womb.  
The matter may be in fault two ways, by defect or by excess. By defect when as the child hath but one leg, or one arm. By excess, when it hath three hands, or two heads.  
The agent, or womb may be in fault three ways. First, in the formative facultive, which may be too strong, or too weak, by which is produced a depraved figure. Secondly, in the instrument or place of conception, the evil conformation or disposition whereof, will cause a monstruous birth. Thirdly in the imaginative power at the time of conception, which is of such force that it stamps the 
Cardanus de rerum veritate. lib. 8. cap. 44.  character of the thing imagined upon the child: so that the children of an adultress may be like unto her own husband though begotten by another man; which is caused through the force of the imagination which the woman hath of her own husband in the act of coition. Aristotle reports of a woman, who at the time of conception beholding the picture of a Black more, conceived and brought forth an Aetheopian. I will not trouble you with any more humane testimonies, but I will conclude with a stronger warrant. We read how jacob having agreed with L●ba● to have all the spotted sheep for the keeping of his flocks; 
Gen. 30.31.  to augment his wages, took hazel rodds, and peeled white strakes in them and laid them before the sheep when they came to drink, and the sheep cuppling there together, whiles they beheld the rods conceived, & brought forth spotted young.  
The Imagination also works on the child after conception: 
Per imaginationis impressionem, f●tu● in utero matris afficitur figno notabil● sine corporali contactu. Osualdus Crollius praefatione admonitoriâ ad Basilicam Chymicam.  for which we have a pregnant example of a worthy gentlewoman in Suffolcke, who being with child and pas●ing by her butcher-killing of meat, a drop of blood sprung on her face, whereupon she said, that her child would have some blemish on the face, and at the birth it was found marked with a red spot.  
Some are of opinion, that monsters may be engendered by some infernal spirit. Of this mind was 
t Libro de Cometa.  Egidius Facius speaking of that deformed monster borne at Cracovie. And 
u Lib. de rebus contra ●aturam.  Hieroni●us Cardamus, writeth of a maid, which was got with child, by a Devil, she thinking it had been a fair young man. The like also is recorded by 
w De naturali specul●. lib. 21. cap. 30.  Vincentius, of the Prophet Marliu, that he was begotten by an evil spirit.  
But what a repugnancy would it be, both to religion and nature, if the Devils could beget men, when we are taught to believe, that not any was ever begotten without humane seed except the Son of God. The Devil then being a spirit having no corporal substance, but in appearance, and therefore no seed of generation; to say that he can use the act of generation effectually, is to affirm that he can make something of nothing, and consequently the Devil to be God, for creation solely belongs to God alone. Again if the Devil could assume to him a dead body, and enliven the faculties of it, and make it able to generate (as some affirm he can) yet this body must bear the image of the Devil; and it is against God's glory to give permission so far unto him, as out of the Image of God to raise up his own offspring. In the school of nature we are taught the contrary, viz. that like begets like; 
Omne generans generat sibi sim●l●.  therefore of a Devil cannot man be borne. Yet it is not denied, but that Devil's transforming themselves into human shapes, may abuse both men and women, 
Lege apud Ruffium lib. 5. c. 6.  and with wicked people use the works of nature. Yet that any such conjunction can bring forth a human creature is contrary to nature and religion.   

CHAP. XIV. Of the signs of Conception.  
IGnorance makes women become murderers to the fruit of their own bodies. For many having conceived, and thereupon finding their bodies to be out of course, and not knowing rightly the cause, do either run to the shop of their own conceit and take what they think fit; or else as the custom is they send, to the Physician for cure, and he perceiving not the cause of their grief (seeing that no certain 
x Forestus lib. 2. de incerto urinarum judicio cap. 3.  judgement can be given by the urine) prescribes what he thinks best, peradventure some strong diuretical, or catharticall potion whereby the conception is destroyed. Wherefore Hypocrates saith, 
S●ientiâ multi opus est ut mulier in uteris ges●e● puerum, & ut nutriatur & ut evadat ab ipso partu. lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  there is a necessity that women should be instructed in the knowledge of conception, that the parent as well as the child might be saved from danger. I will therefore give you some instructions by which every one may know whether she be with child or not.  
The signs of conception shall be taken from the woman, from the urine, from the infant, and from experiment.  
Signs collected from the woman are these. The first day after conception she feels a light quivering or chillinesse running through the whole body; a tickling in the womb, and a little pain in the lower parts of the belly. Ten or twelve days after, the head is affected with giddiness, the eyes with a dimness of sight: then follows red pimples in the face, with a blue circle about the eyes; the breasts swell and grow hard with some pain and pricking in them: the belly suddenly sinketh, and riseth again by degrees with a hardness about the navel. The nipples of the breasts wax red, the heart beats inordinately, the natural appetite is dejected, yet she hath a longing desire after strange meats. The neck of the womb is retracted that it can hardly be felt with the finger being put up, and this is an infallible sign. She is suddenly merry and as soon melancholy; her monthly courses are stayed without any evident cause; the excrements of the guts are unaccustomedly retained by the womb pressing the great gut; and her desire to Venus is abated.  
The surest sign is taken from the infant which begins to move in the womb the third or fourth month, and that not in the manner of a mole from one side to another rushing like a stone, but mildly as may be perceived by applying the hand hot on the belly.  
Signs taken from the urine. The best clerks do affirm that the urine of a woman with child is white and hath little motes, like those in the Sun beams ascending and descending in it, and a cloud swimming aloft of an opal colour; the sediment being divided by shaking of the urine, appears like carded wool. In the middle of her time, the urine turneth yellow, next red, and lastly black, with a red cloud. Signs taken from experiment: At night going to bed, let her drink water and honey; afterward if she feels a beating pain in her belly and about her navel, she hath conceived. Or let her take the juce of Card●us, and if she vomiteth it up, it is a sign of conception; Cast a clean needle into the woman's urine put in a brazen basin, let it stand all night, and in the morning if it be coloured with red spots she hath conceived, 
Lege apud Hippoc. lib. de sterilitate.  but if it be black or rusty she hath not.  
Signs taken from the Sex to show whether it be male or female. Being with child of a male, the right breast swells first, the right eye is more lively than the left, her face well coloured, because such as the blood is, 
Hippoc. 5. Aphor. 42.  such is the colour; and the male is conceived of purer blood and of more perfect seed then the female. 
Vide Moschionis caput 162.  Red motes in the urine settling down to the sediment, foretell that a male is conceived, but if they be white, a female. Put the woman's urine which is with child into a glassen bottle, let it stand close stopped three days; then strain it through a fine cloth, and you shall find little living creatures; if they be red, it is a male, if white a female. To conclude the most certain sign to give credit unto is the motion of the infant: for the male moves in the third month, and the female in the fourth.   

CHAP. XV. Of untimely birth.  
WHen the fruit of the womb comes forth before the seventh month, (that is before it comes to maturity) it is said to be abortive. And in effect the child proves 
* In nostris regionibus praecipuè: In Aegypto autem et Hispania octomestres partus sunt vitales, quia aer ibi calidus est similis loco uteri, in quo perman●bat faetus.  abortive (I mean not to live) if it be borne in the eight month. And why children borne in the seventh, and ninth month may live and not in the eight month, may seem strange yet it is true: The cause hereof by some, is ascribed unto the Planet under which the child is borne; for every month from the conception to the birth is governed by his proper planet: and in the eight month, Saturn doth predominate, which is cold and dry; and coldness being an enemy unto li●e, destroys the nature of the child. Hypocrates gives a better reason: 
Libro de Septimestri pari●.  The infant being every way perfect, and complete in the seventh month, desires more air and nutriment than it had before, 
Septimo mense semper movet infans ad partum.  which because he cannot obtain he labours for a passage to go out: and if his spirits be weak and faint, and have not strength sufficient to break the membrances and come forth; it is decreed by nature that he should continue in the womb until the 9th month, that, in that time his wearied spirits might be again strengthened and refreshed; but if he returns to strive again in the eight month and be borne, he cannot live, because the day of his birth is either past or to come; for in the eight month, saith Avicen he is weak and infirm, 
21. tertij tract. de abortu.  and therefore b●ing then cast into cold air his spirits cannot but sink.  

Cause.  
Untimely birth may be caused by cold; for as it maketh the fruit of the tree to wither and fall down before it be ripe, so doth it nip the fruit of the womb before it comes to full perfection, and make it to be abortive. Sometimes by 
y Hipoc. 5. Aphor. 45.  humidity weakening the faculty that the fruit cannot be retained until the due time: by dryness or 
z 5 Aphor. 44.  emptiness, defrauding the child of his nourishment; by one of the three alvine 
a 5 Aphor. 34.  fluxes; by 
b 5 Aphor. 30.  phlebotomy and other evacuations; by 
c 5 Aphor. 43.  inflammations of the womb, and by other 
d 5 Aphor. 31.  sharp diseases. Sometimes it is caused by joy, laughter, anger, and especially by 
e Gulenus 2. in 3. Epid. 8.  fear; for in all, but in that especially, the heat forsakes the womb and runs to the heart, to help there, and so the cold strikes into matrice whereby the ligaments are relaxt, and abortion follows. Wherefore Plato in his time, 
Libro 5. de legibus.  commanded that the women should shun all temptations of great joy and pleasure, and likewise avoid all occasions of fear and grief: Abortion also may be caused by the corruption of the air; by filthy odours, and especially by the smell of the 
f Aristot. 8. de historia animali. cap. 24.  snuff of a Candle, also by falls, blows, violent exercise, leaping, dancing, etc.   

Signs.  
Signs of future abortion, are extenuation of the breasts with a flux of waterish milk; pain in the womb; heaviness in the head; unaccustomed weariness in the hips, and thighs; flowing of the courses: Signs foretelling the fruit to be dead in the womb, are hollowness of the eyes, grief in the head, aguish horrors, paleness of the face and lips; gnawing of the stomach; no motion of the infant; coldness and looseness of the mouth of the womb; the thickness of the belly which was above is fallen down; waterish and bloody excrements comes from the matrice.   

A regiment or rule for breeding women.  
THe prevention of untimely birth consists in the taking away of the forementioned causes; which must be effected both before and after conception.  
Before conception, if the body be ever hot, cold, dry or moist correct it with the contraries; if cacochimiall, purge it; if plethorical, open the liver vein; if too gross, extenuate it; if too lean, corroborate and nourish it; all diseases of the womb must be removed as I have showed.  
After conception, let the air be temperate: sleep not overmuch: avoid watching, exercise of body, passions of the mind, loud clamours and filthy smells: sweet odours also are to be rejected of those that are histericall. Abstain from all things which provoke either the urine or courses; also from salt, sharp, and windy meats: a moderate diet shall be observed.  
If the excrements of the guts be retained, lenify the belly with Clysters made of the decoction of Mallows, Violets with Sugar, and common Oil; or make broth with Borage, bugloss, Beets, Mallows, taking in the same a little Manna. On the contrary; if she be troubled with looseness of the belly, let it not be stayed with out the judgement of a Physician; for all alvine Fluxes, have a malign quality in them, which must be evacuated before the Flux be stayed.  
The cough is another accident which accompaneth breeding women, and puts them into great danger of miscarrying, by a continual distillation falling from the brain; to prevent which, shave away the hair on the coronal, and sagittal commissure, and apply there on this plaster. ℞. Resinae, ℥ s. Ladaniʒi. Citron pills, Ligni aloes, Olibani ana ℈ i Stiraces liquidae et siccae s.q. dissolve the gums in Vinegar, and make a plaster. At night going to bed, let her take the fume of these trochickes cast upon the coals. ℞. of Frankincense, Stirax, powder of read roses, anaʒis. Sandarachaeʒiij. anaʒi. with Turpentine make trochis●kes. Apply a cautery to the nape of the neck: and every night let her take of these pills following. ℞. Hypocistidis, terrae sigillatae fine bowl, ana ℥ s. anaʒij. Clovesʒi. with syrup of Myrtles make pills.  
In breeding women there is a corrupted matter generated, which flowing to the ventricle dejecteth the appetite and causeth vomiting: and the stomach being weak, not able to digest this matter, sometime sends it unto the guts, whereby is caused a flux of the belly, which greatly stirreth up the faculty of the womb. For the eschewing therefore of all these dangers, the stomach shall be corroborated as followeth.  
℞. anaʒi. Mace, Cloves, Mastic, Laudanum ana ℈ two. Oil of Spike ℥ i. Musk gr. two. Oil of Mastic, Quinces, Wormwood ana ℥ s. make an ungvent for the stomach, to be applied before meals. Instead hereof may be used Cerotum stomochale Galeni. ℞. of conserve of Borage bugloss, Anthos ana ℥ s. anaʒii. Nutmeg, Diambrae ana ℈ two. Peonie roots, Diacoralli ana ʒi. with syrup of roses make an electuary of which she shall take twice aday, two hours before meals. Another accident which perplexeth women with child, swelling of the legs, which happens the first three months, by superfluous humours falling down from the stomach and liver; for the cure whereof. ℞. rosesʒii. anaʒi. shake them altogether until the salt be dissolved, and anoint the legs hot therewith, chaffing it in with the hand. But purging is more proper if it may be done without danger, as it may in the fourth, fifth and sixth month of 
g Hippoc. 4. Aphor.  pregnation: for a child in the womb is compared to an Apple on the tree. The first three months it is weak and tender, subject with the apple to fall away: but afterwards the membranes being strengthened, the fruit remains firmly fastened in the womb, not apt to michances; and so it continues, until the seventh month; then growing near the time of maturity, the ligaments are again relaxt (like unto the apple that is almost ripe) and grow loser every day until the time of delivery. If therefore her body hath need of purging, she may purge without danger in the 4, 5, or 6. month; but not before, nor after, unless in some sharp diseases in which the mother and child both are like to perish. Apply plasters and unguents to the reynes, to strengthen the fruit of the womb. ℞. anaʒi. anaʒis. wax and turpentine s.q. Make a plaster: apply it to the reins in the winter time; and remove it every fourteen days, lest the reynes be over hot therewith. In the interim anoint the privities and reynes with Vnguentum Comitissae. But if it be summer time, and the reynes hot, this plaster following is more proper. ℞. Of red roses p.i. anaʒii; anaʒi. pomegranate pills, prepared coriander ana ʒiis. barberies ℈ two. Oil of Mastic and quinces ana ℥ i. plantaineʒii. with pitch make a plaster, anoint the reynes also with unguentum sandalinun. Once every week wash the reins with two parts of rose water and one part of white wine, mingled together and warmed at the fire: this will assuage the heat of the reynes, and disperse the oil of the plaster out of the pores of the skin, and cause the ointment or plaster the sooner to penetrate and strengthen the womb. Some are of opinion that as long as the loadstone is laid to the navel it keepeth the woman from abortion. The like also is recorded of the stone Aetites being hanged about the neck. The same virtue hath the stone, Samius.  
Thus briefly (as far as modesty would give leave) I have run through all distempers of the matrice: God make my labour profitable; for healing cometh of the most High.  
Hinc omne Principium huc refer exitum.  Horat.    

The Author's prayer for his patient.  
WHat Cure I undertake 
S. Luke 7.6.   
within this roof,  
Lord say the Word be whole,  
and 'tis enough.  
Thy Word alone, 
Acts 3.7.   
did make the lame to walk;  
The deaf to hear, 
S. Mark 7.3.   
yea and the dumb to talk.  
The servants Palsy, 
S. Mat. 8.13.   
by thy word was cured;  
The Lepers cleansed, 
S. Math. 8.3.   
and of health assured.  
By it the borne blind man, 
S. john 9.1.   
was made to see:  
By it the dead to life, 
S. john 11.44.   
even raised be.  
By it were the secures wrought,  
o Lord grant then,  
Unto my prayer that,  
thou wilt say Amen.  

Wisdom. 16.12.  For neither herb,  
nor plaster will do well:  
Unless therewith thy  
benedict doth dwell.  
FINIS.