THE English Midwife ENLARGED, Containing Directions to Midwives; Wherein is laid down whatever is most requisite for the safe Practising her Art. ALSO Instructions for Women in their Conceiving, Bearing and Nursing of Children. With two new Treatises, one of the Cure of Diseases and Symptoms happening to Women before and after Childbirth. And another of the Diseases, etc. of little Children, and the conditions necessary to be considered in the choice of their Nurses and Milk. The whole fitted for the meanest Capacities. Illustrated with near 40 Copper-Cuts.  
London, Printed for Thomas Sawbridge, at the Sign of the Three Flowers-de-luce in Little Britain, 1682.   

To all English Midwives.  
YOU are here presented with an Amendment and Supplement, of what was very necessary and yet wanting in this Book formerly: so that now you will find it to be wholly completed for your purpose, in every respect; it being altogether grounded upon many years' Experience, and Observation in the Practice of deliveries; most others being written by those that never practised the Art; and some fathered upon Persons that were no more concerned in them, than the Pope of Rome; such as Sir Theodore de Mayern, Dr. Chamberlain, and others; by the Publishers of the Complete Midwives Practise; so that I may justly say of this Book; as the Learned Sir Richard Baker says of his Chronicle, that if all other were not to be found this alone were sufficient, with your diligence; For I'll assure you, I have not concealed one secret, belonging to your Art from you; neither would I have you withhold your knowledge from others; neither have I imposed upon you any thing that hath not endured the Test of confirmed experience; and in like manner I would not have you, upon any account whatsoever, to try any new experiment, either upon Rich or Poor; either inwardly or outwardly; thus much for the Book. Now as for what concerns yourselves; I would have you by all means to have a respect to two things above all, your Consciences and Credits; and principally to the first; and to that end, for all the Treasure in the World, to give no Medicine to cause a Woman to miscarry of her Child; but prudently send such kind of People to the Learned Physician to deal with: and that you may prosper in your Practice, discharge your duty as well to the Poor as Rich. Have a great care whom you lay in your Houses, for fear of encouraging naughty Women; Lastly I would advise you not to be dismayed if every thing in your practice fall not out just at the very instance of your expectation, you performing your part; but expect the event with patience; for fear disorders the Senses, and Persons that keep their wits together without suffering them to be scattered thereby, are capable of Counselling in the most weighty Affairs. And now I shall no longer detain you in the Porch, but desire you will forthwith be pleased to walk into the Palace; where I question not but you will find wherewith to satisfy your Curiosity in what concerns the premises; and so wishing you all the Prosperity imaginable; I bid you Adieu.   

THE Contents of the Sections.  


SEct. 1. Of the True generation of the Parts, and Increase of the Infant in the Womb, according to the days and times, till the time of the Birth. p. 1  
Sect. 2. Of the signs of Conception, and whether the Child thrive in the Womb. p. 11  
Sect. 3. Of the Nutriment of the Child in the Womb, and by what nourishment it is preserved, and when it groweth up to be an Infant. p. 16  
Sect. 2. How the Infant doth in the Womb the fifth, the sixth, the seventh, and eighth month; and of the due time and form of the Birth; and causes of pain in Childbirth. p. 20  
Sect. 5. Rules for Childbearing Women, and how to prevent Abortion. p. 28  
Sect. 6. A Dialogue between the Midwife, and the Doctor, concerning Midwives, and the delivery of Women in Childbirth. p. 33  
Sect. 7. Of the several natural situations of the Infant in the Mother's Womb, according to the different times of Childbearing. p. 39  
Sect. 8. Of difficult Births, whether they proceed from Causes external or internal. p. 42  
Sect. 9 Of the Fashions, and Figures of the Birth, and how Children are born and may be born. p. 50  
Sect. 10. Figure the first; Of unnatural Births. p. 52  
Sect. 11. Figure the Second. p. 58  
Sect. 12. Figure the Third. p. 62  
Sect. 13. Figure the Fourth. p. 64  
Sect. 14. Figure the Fifth. p. 66  
Sect. 15. Figure the Sixth. p. 68  
Sect. 16. Figure the Seventh. p. 74  
Sect. 17. Figure the Eighth. p. 78  
Sect. 18. Figure the Ninth. p. 81  
Sect. 19 Figure the Tenth. p. 83  
Sect. 20. Figure the Eleventh. p. 85  
Sect. 21. Figure the Twelfth. p. 87  
Sect. 22. Of a Birth wherein the Infant presents the Belly. p. 89  
Sect. 23. How to help a Woman in her Labour, when the Child's Head thrusts the Neck of the the Womb forth before it. p. 92  
Sect. 24. How to deliver a Woman when the Child presents the side of the Head, to the birth, or its Face. p. 95  
Sect. 25. How to deliver a Woman when the Child's Head is born, and the Womb closeth about its Neck. p. 99  
Sect. 26. When the Navil-string comes first. p. 102  
Sect. 27. Wherein the Burden either first offers itself or comes first quite forth. p. 107  
Sect. 28. Figure the Thirteenth. p. 112  
Sect. 29. Figure the Fourteenth. p. 115  
Sect. 30. Figure the Fifteenth. p. 117  
Sect. 31. Figure the Sixteenth. p. 123  
Sect. 32. Of delivering of a Woman of a dead Child. p. 129  
Sect. 33. Of the extracting of a mola and false Conception. p. 136  
Sect. 34. Of the Secundine, or After-burden, and the best and safest way to draw it forth. p. 151    

PART. II. Of Diseases happening to Big-bellyed Women before Childbirth.  

SEct. 1. Of Barrenness and the several kinds thereof. p. 177  
Sect. 2. Of Superfaetation. p. 195  
Sect. 3. Of Vomitings of Women with Child. p. 201  
Sect. 4. Of the pains of the Back, Loins, Reins and Hips. p. 206  
Sect. 5. Of the pains of the Breasts. p. 209  
Sect. 6. Of involuntary voiding, and stopping of Urine. p. 211  
Sect. 7. Of a Cough and difficult breathing. p. 214  
Sect. 8. Of the swelling and pains of the Thighs and Legs. p. 218  
Sect. 9 Of the Hemorrhoids. p. 221  
Sect. 10. Of the several Flaxes happening to Women with Child. p. 224  
Sect. 11. Of Fluddings. p. 229  
Sect. 12. Of the Weight of the Womb, etc. p. 233  
Sect. 13. Of the Dropsy of the Womb, etc. p. 235  
Sect. 14. Of Abortion and its causes. p. 238    

PART. III. Of Diseases and Symptoms happening to Women after Childbirth.  

SEct. 1. Of Remedies for the Breasts and lower parts of the Belly of Women newly delivered, and how to drive back the Milk. p. 241  
Sect. 2. Of Fludding after Childbirth. p. 244  
Sect. 3. Of the bearing down and falling out of the Womb and Fundament of a Woman newly laid. p. 247  
Sect. 4. Of the bruises and rents of the outward parts of the Womb, caused by Labours. p. 252  
Sect. 5. Of the After-pains. p. 254  
Sect. 6. Of the Lochia, whence they come, if good or bad, their stopping, and what ensues. p. 255  
Sect. 7. Of the Inflammation etc. of the Womb. p. 258  
Sect. 8. Of the Inflammation and Apostemation of the Breasts. p. 259  
Sect. 9 Of the curdling of the Milk in the Breasts. p. 262  
Sect. 10. Of chopping etc. and loss of the Nipples. p. 265    

PART. iv Of the Diseases and Symptoms happening to little Children: and of the choice of a Nurse.  

SEct. 1. What manner of Woman a Nurse ought to be; and whether the Mother be the best Nurse? p. 269  
Sect. 2. Of the Diseases and Symptoms which happen to Children, and first of their Diseases in general. p. 291  
Sect. 3. Of Fevers, Meazels, and Smallpox, in little Children. p. 293  
Sect. 4. Of the milky scab, Achores, Scald-Head and Lice. p. 295  
Sect. 5. Of the watery swelling of the Head. p. 298  
Sect. 6. Of Fright in the Sleeps, and Watch. p. 299  
Sect. 7. Of the Falling-sickness and Convulsion. p. 301  
Sect. 8. Of pain in the Ears, Moisture, Ulcers and Worms. p. 302  
Sect. 9 Of the Thrush, bladders of the Gums, and Inflammation of the Tonsils. p. 303  
Sect. 10. Of the breeding of Teeth. p. 304  
Sect. 11. Of a Catarrh, Cough and difficult breathing. p. 305  
Sect. 12. Of the Hiccup and Vomiting. p. 307  
Sect. 13. Of the pains and puffing of the Belly. p. 309  
Sect. 14. Of the Flux of the Belly. p. 311  
Sect. 15. Of Costiveness. p. 312  
Sect. 16. Of Worms. p. 313  
Sect. 17. Of the Rupture. p. 314  
Sect. 18. Of Bunching out, and inflammation of the Navel. p. 315  
Sect. 19 Of the falling out of the Fundament. p. 316  
Sect. 20. Of difficulty and stopping of Urine. p. 317  
Sect. 21. Of not holding Urine. p. 318  
Sect. 22. Of Leanness and Bewitching. p. 319     



SECT. I. Of the True generation of it Parts, and Increase of the Infant in the Womb, according to the days and times, till the time of the Birth.  
WHen the Womb (whose property it is naturally to receive seed for generation, as a Loadstone attracts iron, or Jet straws or feathers) hath received the seed, and by its virtue hath shut it up for generation; Presently, from the first day until the sixth or seventh, there grow and arise very many and very small fibres or hairs, beginning with a hot motion; by which vital heat the Liver, with its chiefest organs are generated, as this following Figure may the more illustrate.   depiction of the womb in the first few days after conception 
The small Fibres.   depiction of the womb and developing embryo at about 10 days after conception 
In the one of which branches there is a collection of blood, of which first the liver is generated. From whence it easily appears, the liver is a congealed and concrete blood: and also it may be manifest, how many and various veins it hath prepared and fitted, for the attractive and expulsive virtue. But in the other branch are generated those webs o● veins, with the dilatation of other veins, as o● the stomach, spleen, and intestines, in the lower part of the belly. And from hence immediately all veins are collected together, as so many branches into one trunk, in the upper web of the liver towards the hollow vein●… and this trunk by and by sends down branche● to make the midriff, and directs not a few branches to the lower parts, even to the very thighs: and then the heart, with its arteries extended into seed from the navel, i● generated by a vital virtue, and is directe● towards the spin of the back, as is demonstrated in this figure, 3.   depiction of the womb and developing embryo at more than 10 days after conception 
But those do attract the hottest and more subtle blood, of which the heart is generated, incased in a membrane, naturally fleshy and thick, necessary upon the account of so ●ot a member. But the hollow vein extending itself, and penetrating the inward concavity of the right side in the heart, etc. derives thence blood for the nourishment of the ●eart. From the same branch also of this his vein, and in the same part another vein ariseth, called, by some, the , or quiet vein; because, according to the account of the pulsation of other veins it beats not at all, but lies quiet; ordained for this end, that it should let go the purest blood to the Lungs, being vested with a double tunicle like an Artery, from whence it is called the Arterial vein. But in the left concavity of the heart there are two Arteries, that is to say, the Venal Artery, and the Great Artery, which carries a great pulse with it, and diffuseth the vital Spirits by the blood of the heart into all the Arteries of the Body. For, as the hollow vein is the original of all veins, by which the Body doth attract its whole nourishment of blood; so, from the Aorta (or great Artery) all pulsatile veins are derived, diffusing the vital Spirits through the whole Body. For the heart is the fountain and original of vital heat, without which no creature or member can thrive.  
Under the abovesaid Artery in the left concavity of the heart, another vein ariseth called the Venal Artery: And, although that be really a pulsatile vein, and doth direct the vital Spirits, yet, according to the manner of all pulsatile veins that have blood, it hath but one coat, and therefore made for that end, that it should derive the cold air from the Lungs to refresh the heart, as also to attemper its overmuch heat.  
And veins issuing out from both the cavities of the heart, are inserted into the Lungs, of which they are form; for the vein that proceeds from the right cavity of the heart produceth the most subtle blood, which, by small fibres, dispersed here and there, is changed into the fleshy substance of the lungs. But from the great vein of the Liver, (viz. the Vena Cava, or hollow vein) the whole breast is generated, and so successively the Arms and Thighs.   depiction of the womb and developing embryo at more than 10 days after conception, showing the development of the brain 
Within the time aforesaid also is generated the highest and chiefest part of this noble structure, the Brain; in the third Region of this mass; for the whole mass of seed is filled with the animal Spirits, that contracts a great part of the genital moisture, and concludes it in a certain cavity wherein the brain may be form: but, as to the out-fide, it is enveloped with a certain covering, which being dried with heat, is brought into a boney substance, and becomes a scull, as appears by this precedent figure.  
But the brain is so form, that it may conceive, retain, and change the natures of all the vital Spirits, from whence also proceed the beginnings of all Reason, and of the Senses: For, as veins have their original from the Liver, and as arteries have their rise from the heart; so also nerves being of a softer and milder natural existence, arise from the brain, and are not hollow as the veins are, but solid; for they are the first and chiefest instruments of all the senses, by which the motions of all the senses, by reason of the vital spirit, are justly made.  
After the nerves, from the brain also, is form the pith of the backbone, not of an unlike nature from the brain, so that it scarce can be called marrow because it hath no likeness to marrow, either by sight, or in substance; for the marrow is a kind of superfluous aliment, arising from the blood of the members, appointed to moisten and make the bones of the body grow; but the brain and pith of the back have their original from the seed, not deputed for the nourishment and growth of the other members, but that by themselves they might make private parts of the body, for the use and motion of the Senses, that from thence all the other nerves may take their rise. For, from the pith of the back many nerves arise, from which the body hath sense and motion, as may appear by the difference betwixt the vital and animal faculties, as hath been before hinted.  
Moreover, here it is to be observed, that from the seed itself gristles, bones, coats of the veins of the Liver, and of the arteries of the heart, the brain with the Nerves, and again the tunicles, and as well other pannicles or membranes as those that wrap up the infant, are generated; but from the proper blood of the infant is the flesh itself engendered, and all those parts that are of a fleshy substance; as the Heart, the Liver, and Lungs: And then at length all these grow together by the menstruous blood, attracted by the small veins of the Navel, which are observed to be directed with their orifices into the Womb. All which are distinctly made by the eighteenth day of the first month, from the very conception, at which time it may be called seed, but afterwards it becometh to be, and is called a child; which the Ancients have comprehended in these two verses, 
Six days in milk, thrice three the seed's in blood;  
Twice six makes flesh, thrice six makes members good.    depiction of the womb and developing embryo at about 18 days after conception 
The lesser figure denotes the Nerves derived from the Back and dispersed through the whole.  
The explanation of the larger figure see in the following page.  


FF Sheweth a young one of 18 days (though some hold it but 14 days in which all the members may be discerned apart,)  
GG The four Umbilical Vessels meeting in one.  
HH How the Umbilical Vessels become thick by degrees, that that doubt amongst some may be resolved, whether they spring from the Womb, or no.  
III Sheweth how the Umbilical veins and arteries are spread throughout the Chorion by infinite branches.  
KKK Sheweth the membrane called Amnios', in which sweat and urine are gathered together, in which the Infant swimmeth, and sits as safe as in a Bath.     

SECT. II. Of the signs of Conception, and whether the Child thrive in the Womb.  
DR. Good Mrs. Eutrapelia, vouchsafe me your observations about Conceptions, and let me understand what are the signs of Conception in general; and what signs distinguish the Sexes?  
Mid. Although, Sir, 'tis hard to know whether a woman hath conceived yea or no, yet it may be conjectured by many experienced Arguments; as, for instance,  
First, it is thought a credible sign of Conception, if a woman either the tenth day after coition, or sooner, perceive not, by reason of any humours, any of her terms, be they whites, or reds. And, though the stopping of those be accounted for a sign, yet that fails often, because it may be as well before conception as after. But, waving this, let us find out other marks and prognostics of a true conception, gathered from the state and condition of the woman herself, being seriously examined from head to foot.  
Secondly; pains and giddiness in the head, and a mist over the sight, if they meet together, these portend conception.  
Thirdly, the apples of the Eyes are lessened, the Eyes swell, and become swarthy; the veins of the Eyes grow red, and are full with blood; the Eyes sink, the Eyelids are remiss; divers colours are seen in the Eyes, and are observed in a looking-glass; the veins betwixt the Eyes and the Nose are swollen with blood, and are seen clearer; the veins under the Tongue are somewhat greenish.  
Fourthly, the chest is warm, and the back cold.  
Fifthly, the Veins and Arteries are swollen, and the pulse easier; the veins in the breast are first black, than either yellow or blue.  
Sixthly, The breasts grow big, and hard with pain; the nipple grows red; if she drinketh that which is cold, she feels cold in her breast.  
Seventhly, there is a great loathing of meat and drink, and destruction of the natural appetite, with long after various meats, with an absurd appetite, a continual vomiting, and weakness of stomach, sour belching, loathing of wine, an inordinate pulsation of the heart, sudden joy, and after that, as sudden grief; pains about the navel, heaviness about the loins, swelling towards the bottom of the belly; inward pricking in the body; chillness of the outward parts, after coition; retention of the seed seven days after copulation; about the beginning of conception a shooting pain about the back and belly. The courses are stopped; for those veins from which they flow carry the blood (through certain holes that are at the end of them) for the nourishment of the infant by the navel; and part of it is conveyed upwards into the breasts, and there is prepared for milk.  
Eightly, the thighs swell with pain, but the body is weaker, and the face pale.  
Ninthly; the belly is costive, by reason of the compressure of the intestines. The urine is white, with a cold swimming at the top, wherein are to be seen many atoms, like those observable in the beams of the sun: but, when in the first Month many of these sink to to the bottom, the vessel in which it is, being shaken, it seems to be drawn out like to wool. In the later months the urine is redrish, or yellow, it becomes blackish, with a red cloud at the top. I will here-with relate to you two experiments, by which it may be known whether or no a woman hath conceived. And the first is this; Stop up a woman's urine three days in an urinal, at the end of which strain it (or, rather drop it through fine linen,) and if she hath conceived, you shall see little creatures like to louse; if these be red, 'tis a token of a male; but if white, they say portend a female. If a woman's urine be put in a brass Bason, and stand there one night; if you put into it a bright needle, if she hath conceived, that needle will be bespeckled with red spots; but if otherwise, it will be rusty all over.  
The Signs whereby most pretend to know, whether Male or Female be conceived, being altogether Fallacious and Ridiculous, I have wholly omitted.  
Dr. Since you have given such signs of Conception, let me know by what signs you apprehend the Infant to be well, and thrive in the Womb, or not.  
Mid. I shall, Sir. And first, if it be well, the breasts will be hard; but if otherwise, they will be flaccid, and a waterish humour will flow out of them (like to milk) of its own accord.  
Secondly, if the courses flow too often out of the Womb in the time of childbearing, it is an argument of an unhealthy Child, And, moreover, the fattest Women commonly bring forth the weakest Infants.  
Thirdly, if a woman bring Twins, the one a Male, the other a Female, there is great danger of the Female, because they are nourished by a different aliment in the Womb: but if they be both Females, there is the less danger.  
Fourthly, if the Child be gotten in the time of the monthly terms, they are mixed with untoward humours; from whence it is experienced that many leprous Infants are begotten.  
Fifthly, if there be superfaetation, the last conception seldom liveth. Now, superfaetation is, when a Woman having once conceived, conceiveth again after a certain time, which sometimes happeneth.  
Sixthly, if a Dropsy overtake the bigbellied Woman, and that her Nose, Ears, and Lips look red; it is a sign of a dead Child.  
Seventhly, if the infant come forth after the ninth month, 'tis oftentimes very weak.  
Eightly, if a virgin conceive before her first flowers, it proves lusty and perfect child.  
Dr. So much for Conception. Tell me now somewhat of the nourishing of the Child in the Womb, etc.   

SECT. III. Of the Nutriment of the Child in the Womb, and by what nourishment it is preserved, and when it groweth up to be an Infant.  
Whilst the young one is in the womb, it is nourished by blood attracted by the navel; by which it is, that women after they have conceived have their terms stopped; for then the infant gins to crave, and attracts much blood. For the blood, presently after-conception, is discerned by a threefold difference. The first and purest part of it the young one attracts for nourishment. The second, less pure and thin, the wombforceth upwards by certain veins to the breasts, where it becomes milk, by which the infant is nourished so soon as it is born. The third, and more impure part of the blood, remains in the womb, and floweth out with the secundine, both in the birth, and after the birth: Hence it is that Hippocates saith; there is much affinity betwixt the flowers and the milk, since the one happeneth to be made out of the other. And Galen also, by reason of this thing, elegantly adviseth, that the infant hath more from the mother than from the father; for this reason, because the seeds are first increased by the menstruous blood, and then by these the Infant is presently nourished in the Womb; and again, being newly born, it is nourished with milk: And, as roots have more nourishment from the earth than the plant from whence they came: so also Infants receive more from the Mother than from the Father. And hence he saith that it comes to pass, that so much more is attributed to the Mother, by how much more She contributeth more towards generation.   representation an infant-like embryo in the womb at about 45 days after conception 
If the Infant be form in 45 days, it will stir in 90 days, which is the middle time that it lies hid in the Womb; for in the ninth month it will come forth, and make haste to the birth; although Females are oftentimes born in the tenth Month. And so much for the formation, increase, and perfection of the Infant, according to the account of days and times.   

SECT. IU. How the Infant doth in the Womb the fifth, the sixth, the seventh, and eighth month; and of the due time and form of the Birth; and causes of pain in Childbirth.  
AFter the third and fourth month the Infant useth a more plentiful nourishment, by which it groweth more and more until the time of Birth shall come: Therefore it is to be understood, that when it is born in the sixth month, it cannot, in nature, live; because, though it be form distinctly, yet it is not arrived to its just perfection. But if it be born in the seventh month, it may easily live, because than it is sufficiently perfect. And, whereas 'tis a common opinion those born in the eighth month can rarely live; but such as are born in the seventh are often times living, because on the seventh month the Infant is ever moving towards the Birth, at which time, if it be strong enough, it comes to the Birth, but if not, it remaineth in the Womb till it groweth stronger, (viz.) the other two Months. After the motion at seven months' end if it be not born, it removes itself into some other place of the Womb, and is so weakened by that motion, that should it come to the birth in the following eighth Month, it cannot live by reason of that motion.  
This seems very probable to many, but if they that practise deliveries make a rational reflection thereon, they shall find that 'tis the Matrix alone assisted with the compression of the Muscles of the lower belly and Midriff, which cause the expulsion of the Child; being stirred up by its weight, and not able to be farther extended to contain it: and not the Infant for want of nourishment is not able to stay any longer there, and so useth its pretended endeavours to come forth; and to that purpose kicking strongly it, breaks the Membranes with its Feet which contain the waters, insomuch as when the Child is naturally Born the skins are always torn before the Head; which pressing and thrusting each through the waters before it, causeth them to burst out with force. Hypocrates admits the 10 month, and beginning of the 11. And here, I do acknowledge for truth that the ordinary term of going with Child is 9 months; but I cannot consent that Children born in the 7 month do oftener live than those born in the 8, but on the contrary, I believe the nearer they approach to the term of 9 months the stronger they are, and therefore rather live than those born in the 7th, which is wholly contrary to the other opinion which they have from Hypocrates; and in Egypt and Spain and other places Children born in the 8th month live. But they should have considered there may be some difference about Hippocrates' Months, viz. whether they were Solar or Lunar, a Solar consisting of 30 or 31 days throughout the year, and a Lunar of 27 days and some odd Hours and odd Minutes.  
And then again the Women might be mistaken in their reckoning. And do we not know not only in the same Country and Field but also on the same Vine, grapes sometimes six weeks ripe before their ordinary Season; and others not till a month after? which happens according to the Territories, different influence of the Sun, and as the Vine is ordered. So do we see Women brought to bed six weeks and 2 months before, and sometimes as long after their ordinary term; if it be not that the Womb not being capable of an extension beyond a certain degree, cannot bear its burden, but a little while after the account is out; although there have been Women as Hypocrates acknowledgeth who have gone 10 or 11 whole Months with Child, which is so much the rarer, by how much it exceeds its limits.  
These things happen also to Women according to the different dispositions, either of their whole body, or Womb alone, as well as according to their rule of living, and more or less exercise they use, and may also happen on the Child's part, as if at 7 months it be so big that the Womb can no longer contain it, nor stretch itself more without bursting, it is then provoked by the pain which this violent extension causeth to discharge itself of it; and so in the 8th month if there be the same reason, and some weeks sooner or later according to many other circumstances; as also by an outward occasion, as a violent shaking of the whole body, blow, fall, leap, etc. hasting the pains; and that which makes these Children live a longer or shorter time, is according as they are at that time more strong and perfect, and the Woman nearer her time which is at the end of the 9th month.  
There have been many Women that have believed they were brought to bed at the 7th and 8th Month; and others that they went 10 or 11 whole Months; which may sometimes be when notwithstanding they are effectively delivered at the due time: that which deceives them usually is their believing themselves with Child from the retention of their Courses, having had them the 2 first Months, yea and sometimes longer, and others misreckon when their Courses are stopped 2 Months before they conceive: And a Woman, though well regulated, cannot exactly know by the suppression singly the certain time of her being with Child; as for example, if she lie with her Husband upon the coming down of her Courses, and she conceive upon it, than she may make her account from their suppression, which may be very near the truth; but if she conceive immediately after she hath had them, which happens oftenest, and that during the Month she Copulates with her Husband, at the end of which time her Courses not coming down, she may very well reckon herself with Child, yet for all this she cannot know by this sign which Night she conceived on, and so for 3 weeks or a Month, more or less, she may be mistaken in the time.  
Here note there hath often been great contests amongst Physicians, whether a Child born the 11th or 12th Month, after its pretended Father's death, can be legitimately born, and so admitted to inherit, or be disinherited, as a supposed Child; but this having been debated by the Romans as well as us, and being parties for and against, I shall leave it undecided, and shall not add any thing more concerning this point to what I have said before.  
And now the Midwife is to take care, that she be timely prepared for the reception of any birth, with all her necessary conveniences and instruments, as with a fit stool, a sharp knife, astringent powder, a sponge, swaths, etc. warm oil of Lilies, with which she may aptly anoint both the Womb of the Woman and her own hands, but of that more hereafter.  
And now in the next place let us make enquiry for the fittest and best Midwife, for this great work, and now I remember myself there was a good Woman called Mrs. Eutrapelia with me last night, for my advice and counsel in a very difficult concern, whom I found by that little discourse I had with her to be a very rational and understanding and expert woman in her art, and one that was not self conceited of herself, like many of her Sisters, that think they know all, and believe 'tis below them to ask any advice of the learned Physician or Chirurgeon, when indeed they are oftenest the most ignorant; for 'tis the Physician and Chirurgeon that they must be obliged to for the chief part of their Art, and in France 'tis the Chirurgeons employ to help Women in Childbirth, an● she promised to be with me very early th● morning to give me account how it fare● with her Patient, and of the success of m● directions, and hark I believe 'tis she knockin at the door at this instant.  
Here note by the by, that 'tis romantic▪ to say, that the Males are generated in th● right side of the Matrix, but Females in th● left, out of the left Testicle; for the righ● side, by reason of the Liver, is hotter, bu● the left cooker; for when there are Twins▪ sometime they are of the same Sex, but principally the abundant heat of Seed is the caus● of the generation of Males.   depiction of the baby in the womb, and the surrounding anatomy, near to the time of birth 
This figure showeth the Womb Anatomised and how the Infant lieth in it.  
The parts are described in the following page.  


CC Denotes the Kidneys of each side.  
DD The emulgent Veins on the righ● side.  
EE The emulgent Arteries on the righ● side.  
F The trunk of the hollow vein.  
HH The emulgent Arteries on the left side.  
LL The Spermatick Veins on the right side.  
K The Spermatick Artery on the right side.  
M The Spermatick Veins on the left side.   

aa The Ureters cut off.  
oo The Feminine Testicles.  
PP The broad ligament like Batts wings.  
qq The trunk of the great Artery.  
BB Vessels like Vine-branches.  
Y The shaft of the Womb.  
R The bottom of the Womb where the Infant lieth.     

SECT. V Rules for Childbearing Women, and how to prevent Abortion.  
MId. According to your promise, I beseech you, Doctor, lay me down some Rules to be observed by Childbearing Women.  
Dr. Good Midwife, I shall, and that very necessary ones too, that she may know how to go on safely through (by God's blessing) to the last hour, or by neglecting them, may make her delivery the harder: and I shall reduce them under ten heads.  
First, let her be cheerful; for this doth exhilarate the Infant, and stirs up all the faculties, and confirms it in its parts and Members.  
Secondly, let her avoid all violent motion, and ahstain from all hard labours, not rising up too hastily, not leaping, running, dancing, riding; not lacing herself too straight, or carrying too heavy a burden; but surely moderate sleep and rest, is very fit for her. And all this especially toward the latter end of her reckoning; for though it be allowed them by most Authors to facilitate the Birth, yet if we well consider the point we shall without doubt find it to be the cause of miscarryings, and hard labours, and death of many Women and Children. For you must know that the Birth of a Child ought to be left to the work of Nature well regulated, and not to provoke it, by shaking and jolting, as in a Coach, or by a trotting Horse, and to dislodge it before its full time, which happening though it be but 7 or 8 days sooner proves sometimes as prejudicial to the Infant, as we see it sometimes to Grapes which we find 4 or 5 days before they are full ripe, to be yet almost half verjuice; But to explain this more clearly, consider the Infant is naturally seated in the Womb, with Head uppermost and the Feet downwards, with its Face towards the Mother's belly, just till it hath attained the 8th Month; at which time and sometimes sooner, and sometimes later, its head being very great and heavy, it turns over its Head downward and its heels upward; which is the sole and true posture in which it ought to come into the World. Now just when the Child is about to turn according to custom into its intended posture, instead of giving herself rest, she fall a jumping, walking, running up and down stairs, and exercising herself more than ordinary, which very often causes it to turn cross, and not right, as it ought to be; and sometimes the Womb is depressed to low, and engaged in such sort towards the last Month, in cavity of the flanks by those jolting, that there is no liberty left the Infant to turn itself naturally; wherefore it is constrained to come in its first posture, to wit by the Feet, or some other worse: moreover it would be very convenient that the Woman should abstain from having to do with a Man carnally, during the 2 last months of her reckoning, forasmuch as the body is thereby much moved, and the belly pressed in the action, which likewise causeth the Child to take a wrong posture. Now I believe that those that will seriously reflect and consider of these things, will be ready to quit this their old error, which hath certainly caused the death of many Women and Children, and much pain to divers others.  
Thirdly, let her beware of sharp and cold winds, of excessive heat, anger, troubles of the mind, affrights and terrors, overmuch venery, and of intemperancy of eating and drinking.  
Fourthly let her diet be frugal, and moderate, abstaining from gross meats, hard of digestion; let her eat Eggs, Chickens, Land-fowl, birds of the Mountains, etc. variety of broths, grewels, panadoes, Mutton, Veal, Lamb, Kid, Rabbits; she may use in her meat's Nutmeg and Cinnamon; she may drink wine moderately.  
Fifthly, in the first four Months let her open no vein, use no cupping or scarrifications, fontanelles, nor use any pills, or other Physic, without the advice of a prudent Physician; for in these Months the ligaments of the Child are very tender, soft, and feeble; and therefore the easier destroyed, and the nourishment kept from it.  
Sixthly, if it shall happen that the Woman be too costive (by which many miscarry) let her boil spinach, and Lettuce, in Veal broth well buttered, with salt, or wine; which, if they will not move the belly, let her use suppositories, with honey and salt, or of Castile-soap: and if these common things will not do, let her advise with an expert Physician.  
Seventhly, if it happen that she conceive with grievous symptoms, and after conception is troubled with faintings, let her take this Cordial following. Take of Sorrel-water, and red-Rose-water, of each one ounce; of Cinamon-water one ounce; of Manus Christi pearled, half an ounce, or as much Diamargariton: this may be taken as need requires.  
Eighthly, if she fear that she may come (before her time) as in the seventh Month, or some other unseasonable time, and feels throws, as of Childbearing, let her sit over a fume of Frankincense; for that contributes no small strength both to the Womb, and to the Infant also.  
Ninthly, if she nauseate her meat, she may use a plaster of Mastic to her Stomach, and take this following Cordial every morning, fasting, to strengthen her Stomach.  
Take Syrup of Pomegranates one ounce and half; of Mosch and Ambergris, of each two grains; of Lignum Aloes finely powdered, one scruple; of Cinnamon half a scruple; the water of Sorrel three ounces; let these be mingled, and drank off bloodwarm.  
Lastly, if, whilst she go with Child, she perceive her terms, let her eat milk, made boil with red-hot steel, and in that let Plantain and Comfrey be boiled. But, in all these cases, let her advise with learned Physicians, which will direct her with medicines from time to time.  
I shall hereafter treat of some distempers incident to Childbed; and leave you some choice Remedies in the following Sections; and then wind up all.   

SECT. VI A Dialogue between the Midwife, and the Doctor, concerning Midwives and the delivery of Women in Childbirth.  
MId. A good morning to you good Mr. Dr. Sir I am come according to my promise, to give you an account of the event of the directions you was pleased to give me last Night concerning Mrs. Styles, the which indeed Sir have succeeded marvellous prosperously, and she now thinks herself in Paradise to what she was before, and hath sent you Sir a small gratuity according to her ability, in acknowledgement of the great benefit she hath received by your Counsel. And for my own part Sir I so well approve of your last Night's discourse, that I must humbly entreat you, that you would be pleased to afford me your Instructions in the safe performance of my Art.  
Dr. Very willingly good Mrs. and truly your name bespeaks you a fit Woman for your Employ, as being a well bred Woman; therefore I shall in the first place take occasion to tell you what kind of person a Midwife ought to be, and that in the subsequent description.  
The best Midwife is she that is ingenious, knowing letters, and having a good memory, is studious, neat and cleanly over the whole body, healthful, strong, and laborious, and well instructed in women's conditions: not soon angry, nor turbulent, or hasty, unsober, unchaste; but pleasant, quiet, prudent; not covetous, but like the Hebrew Midwives, such as fear God, that God may deal with them, and that people may multiply and increase after their hands, and that the Lord may build them Houses.  
By this description I tell you only how the best Midwife must be qualified; now let me hear somewhat of your skill, that I may the better judge thereof. First, then let me know how Women are delivered?   depiction of the baby in the womb before and after turning to the natural position for birth 
A Natural Birth.  
As to the washing of the Child, and swathing, I need not give you any account, I suppose you take it for granted, that most women understand that. I only here show you the shape of the stool I use, which, I hope, you will not disapprove of, though few Midwives have them, or use them.   depiction of the midwife's stool 


B. the Back of the Stool  
oooo. the feet  
aa. rests for the hands  
rr. the ring in shape like the Moon  
cccc. the Cloth round the ring to keep out the Air etc:     depiction of the baby in the womb in a natural position for birth 


AA Shows the parts of the Chorion dissected, and removed from their proper place.  
B a Portion of the Membrane Amnios.  
CC The Membrane of the Womb dissected.  
DD The placenta Vteri, or hepar uterinum, being a fleshy substance full of many Vessels, by which the Infant receives its nourishment.  
E The varication of the Vessels which makes up the Navel string.  
FF The Navel string by which the Vmbilick vessels are carried from the placenta to the Navel.  
GG The Infant, as it lies perfect in the Womb near the time of Travel.  
H How the umbilical vessels are inserted into the Navel of the Infant.     

SECT. VII. Of the several natural situations of the Infant in the Mother's Womb, according to the different times of Childbearing.  
WHen the Woman is young with Child, the little creature called the Embryo is always of a round Figure, a little longish, having the backbone moderately turned inwards, the thighs folded and a little raised, to which the legs are so joined, that the heels touch the buttocks; the arms are bending and the hands placed upon the knees, towards which the head is inclining forwards, so that the chin toucheth the breast; In this posture it resembles one sitting to void his excrements, and stooping down his head to see what comes from him. It's back bone is at that time placed towards the Mothers, the head uppermost, the face forward, and the feet downward; and proportionably to its growth, it extends its members by little and little; which were exactly folded in the first Month; This posture it usually keeps till the 7th or 8th month, at which time the head being grown big is carried downwards by its weight, towards the inward orifice of the Womb, tumbling as it were over its head, so that then the Feet are uppermost, and the Face towards the Mother's great gut; when the posture happens otherwise, 'tis unnatural; (and both Male and Female lie thus;) because the Child's face coming upwards will be extremely bruised, and its Nose wholly flatted, because of the bones hardness in the passage.  
Note further, when the Child hath changed its first Situation being not yet accustomed to this last, it stirs and torments itself so much sometimes, that the woman, by reason of the pain she feels, is apt to believe she is in labour, and if this circumstance be well considered, you will find it to be that first pretended endeavour, which Authors imagine the Child makes to be born the 7th month; and not being able to accomplish it, it stays till the 9th etc. But this is a great mistake, for if the Child turns itself so with the head downwards, or rather is turned, it is but by a natural disposition of the weight of the upper parts of the body; and if it stir much at that time and soon after, it is not from a desire to be born, but from the inconvenience it receives from this new posture, to which it was not before accustomed: and it gins to turn thus sometimes from the 7th month, rarely before, but by accident; often about the 8th and sometimes the 9th only, and at other times also it doth not turn at all, as we may easily perceive in those that come in their first Situation, that is with their Feet foremost.  
When there are many Children they ought to come in the same Figure if it be a natural Birth, as when there is but one; but usually by their different motions they incommode one another, that for the most part one presents wrong in time of labour; yea and before, which is the cause that one comes often with the head, the other with the feet, or some worse posture, and sometimes both come wrong. However the Infant may be settled in the Mother's belly, or in whatever fashion it represents itself at the birth, if it be not according to the posture before said, it is always against nature.   

SECT. VIII. Of difficult births, whether they proceed from Causes external or internal.  
DIfficult births from external causes may be either, first, from excessive heat, dissolving the strength of the women; or secondly, excessive cold, condensing the womb; or thirdly, from sweet things, often applied to the nostrils of the woman, that by smelling to sweet things she may recover her strength and faintings; for sweet smells do attract the womb upwards, and so render the birth more difficult.  
Difficult birth from internal causes may be either, first, from the woman; secondly, from the womb; thirdly, from the infant; fourthly from the membranes of the womb. 1. From the woman, as when she is too angry, too fearful, or too modest; or if she be in age above 40 years, from whence the muscles of the womb may be concluded to be dry, and so the less extenfible; or when she is so thick and fat, that the passages be narrow: Or, 2. From the womb itself, as, when it is so small, and nature so weak and feeble that it cannot expel the birth: Or, if there be any inflammation; or unnatural affect in the privities, be it the stone, or piles, or extraordinary costiveness; all which may so compress the womb with their weight, that it cannot expel the birth. 3. Is from the infant itself, as if it be of an unusual bigness, of a great head, or a monstrous birth, hydropical, full of wind, dead in the womb, or lying there in a posture beyond nature; as when it comes overthwart, with the feet forward, and not the head, or if the thigh before the head. 4. From the membranes of the womb, as when they are so forcibly broken by the child in the womb that the moisture floweth thence, leaving the infant behind, that when the child should come forth, that moisture faileth, and so the membranes being dryer, maketh the birth the more difficult; or when it is firm and solid that it is broken with much difficulty, and so makes the labour the harder.  
And here we cannot but take notice how those Authors, who have not the perfect knowledge of the parts of a Woman's body, attained to by Anatomy, do admire and cannot as they say, conceive how it is possible that an Infant so big can pass, in time of labour, through an opening of the Womb so small; some of them being of opinion that the Woman's share-bone is separated at that time, to enlarge the passage; without which it would be impossible for the Infant to have room enough to be born; and therefore Women that are a little antiquated suffer in their first labours more than others, because their share-bone cannot so easily be separated, which often kills their Children in their passage: others again are of opinion that it is the flank-bone, which is disjointed from the hoop-bone for the same purpose; and say both the one and the other of them, viz. That these bones thus separated at the hour of labour, are thereto so disposed by degrees, a little before, by the fly my humours which flow forth from about the Womb, and then mollify the grisles and cords which at other times join them firmly together. But both these opinions are as different from truth as reason; for Anatomy convinceth us clearly that the Womb by no means toucheth these places; whereby to moisten and soften them by its humours; as likewise that these bones are so joined by the gristle that it is very difficult to separate them with a knife, especially the flank-bone from the hoop-bone, and almost impossible in some elderly Women without great violence; although Ambrose Parry, a most famous Chirurgeon in his time at Paris, (quoting many witnesses to the thing) gives us an History of a Woman in whom (having been hanged 14 days after she was delivered in Childbirth,) he found (as he saith) the share bone separated in the middle the breadth of half a finger, and the flanck-bones themselves disjointed from the hoop-bone. But we will not in this matter accuse him of an imposture as having too much respect, and a better opinion of so worthy a person, and believing him to be too sincere as to commit such a crime; but do indeed believe the good man might be mistaken in this separation; for we cannot probably conceive that being so at the time of her labour it would remain so a fortnight after, the breadth of half a finger; for than they would have been forced to carry this Woman to execution; (for they are executed at Paris within the City or Suburbs,) because she would not have been able to have supported herself, or climb the ladder of the Gibbet; and keep herself on her Legs according to the custom of other Malefactors; because the body is only supported by the stability of these bones; wherefore we must believe, as most probable, that such a disjunction and separation was caused either from the falling of this Woman's body from the high Gibbet to the ground after execution; or from some blow on that place from some hard thing. And if we thoroughly examine the different Figure and Structure of these bones between a Man's and a Woman's Sceleton, we shall find a larger empty space and distance between these bones much more considerable in women then in men; and that to this purpose the least women have the bones of the hip more distant the one from the other, than the biggest man; and they have also the crupper-bone more outwards, and the sharebone flatter, which makes the passage from this capacity larger, and more able to give issue to the child at the time of labour: moreover they have besides this the flank bones much more turned outward, that the womb being filled may have more room to stretch itself out on the sides, and more at ease supported by such a disposition; as you will see explained in the figure.  
A shows the Man's bones. B the Woman's; for to know the difference that the Woman's is more capacious than the Man's, for C and C, D and D, E and E are at a larger distance one from another, in a Woman than in a Man. And besides that Women have the rump bone marked F. more turned outwards than Men, which gives way to the head to pass through the large passage between the 2 Hip-bones, marked E and E, without great difficulty; and without any necessity for the separation of the share-bone.  
The bladder and great gut being emptied of the excrements they contain hinder, in no wise but that the womb, made membranous or skinny for that purpose, can stretch forth itself as it doth to let the infaut pass in labour, by this great empty space sufficient for it without any necessity that these bone-should be disjointed or separated; for if it should so fall out indeed women could not sustain themselves on their legs; as many of them do immediately after that they are brought to bed; because they are instead of a support to them, as is already expressed, and of a middle jointure to all the other, as well of the upper as the lower parts of the body. Which the learned and judicious and experienced Chirurgeon Mr. Francis Moriceau very well noted, when he laid so many Women in the Hostel de dieu in Paris; for when Women that are there to be brought to bed begin to be in labour, they go into a little room called the stove, where all are delivered upon a little low bed made expressly, where they place them before the fire, afterwards as soon as they are delivered they conduct them to their bed, which sometimes is a good way off from this little chamber, whither they walk very well, which they could never do were their share-bone, or their flanck-bone separated the one from the other. Besides we often see young Women that have concealed their labour, put themselves (the better to hid their faults,) immediately to their ordinary business as if they had ailed nothing: neither could this ingenious Chirurgeon, in all women that ever he delivered, ever perceive this pretended disjunction, though he put his hand on the share bone when the child was in passage; but he says that indeed he hath found the hipbone which is joined with a lose Joint, to the lower extremity of the hoop-bone to bend outwards during labour: in which part the women feel sometimes much pain because the coming forth of the child offers it a great violence, and because its head at that time doth much press the great gut against it.  
Moreover having often seen and dissected women, being dead a few days after their delivery, it hath been found a very difficult matter to separate these bones with a strong sharp Penknife; where could not be found any the least appearance of any foregoing separation: and if those advanced in years have more pain with their first children than the younger women, it doth not proceed from the difficulty of the separation of these bones (which never is, from the reason aforesaid) but because the membranes of their womb are dry, and hard; and particularly its internal orifice, cannot therefore so easily be stretched open as young women's, which in them is much moister.   

SECT. IX. Of the Fashions, and Figures of the birth, and how Children are born or may be born.  
THE postures of the infant in the womb are generally four: First, they offer to come with their heads forward (which is the natural birth.) Secondly, with the feet forwards. Thirdly, overthwart. Fourthly, doubled; to all which the Midwife's care and skill is required, but especially in the three later. But many other postures have been observed, in practice; for that child that comes with his head forward, sometimes hath his head right, as to the orifice of the matrix, but the rest of the body crooked, and sometimes overthwart: and sometimes the infant pitcheth his head, either in the former part from the orifice, or backward, or comes crooked; and sometimes also it is without any tye, as to the bottom of the matrix, and sometimes with it; sometimes also it puts forth one hand, or both, so as that they are twisted above the head: sometimes it cometh forward, with its feet asunder, and those fixed in the parts of the womb; sometimes the feet being doubled, it endeavours to come forth with the knees forward; sometimes it is so doubled, that it shows forth its little buttocks like one that is sitting; or contrarily may be so doubled, that you may find the soles of the feet joined to the head in the orifice of the matrix; but those that lie o'rethwart, sometimes lie on one side, and sometimes with the face upwards, and sometimes downwards: But if there be twins, then that which presenteth itself fairrest, must be laid hold on, and the other put back. As to all which, the next following Sections will not only furnish you with figures, but with directions. Hitherto having described the Midwife and her office, together with the site of the infant in the womb, as natural; together with difficult births in general, and their causes. It is reasonable, (good Mrs. Eutrapelia) that we discourse of unnatural births, because those bring the greatest danger with them, both to the mother and infant.   

SECT. X. Figure the first. Of unnatural Births.  
DR. Courteous Mrs. Eutrapelia, If you perceive a child come with its feet forwards, and the hands drawn downwards to the thighs, according to the next ensuing form, How will you deliver the woman?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the feet, with the arms pointing downwards 
Mid. In this, I will take care to be furnished with Oils, and convenient liniments, and only to help the coming forth of the infant, by anointing and cherishing it, lest it go back again, but that it may come forth the same way as it began. But first of all I shall take care, that both arms of the infant so stretched downwards, be so secured by me, that the infant may not have power to draw them back again, but that I may compel it to come forth, after the very same manner: But if the infant breaking forth after this manner, and by reason of its bigness as well as his arms drawn down, be so straightened by the narrowness of the matrix, that of itself it cannot wholly come to the birth; then the womb of the woman is to be anointed with oil of Lilies, or sweet Almonds, or hog's grease, & some sneezing Powder, blowed up he nose, to help the sending forth of the birth; and the womb gently to be compressed with both hands, that it tend not upwards, but downwards, as it ought, until it come forth entirely.  
Here most Authors advise to change the Figure and place the head so that it may present itself first to the birth; which is very difficult and almost altogether impossible to be performed; if we desire to avoid the dangers that by such violent endeavours both the Mother and the Child must inevitably be put into; and I wish they would have shown us any way how it might be safely acted; that we might have followed their examples wherefore 'tis better to draw it forth by the feet, then to venture a worse accident by turning it.  
Now to perform this the Midwife must have her Nails well pared and no rings on her fingers, but her hands well anointed with Oil or fresh Butter; then the woman being seated to the best advantage let her gently put her hand into the entry of the Womb, which if it be not wide enough let her open it a little and little by degrees, with her fingers by spreading them one from the other after they are entered together, so continuing to do till it be sufficiently enlarged, then finding the Child's feet let her draw it forth in this posture following; but if there shall but one foot present itself, than she shall consider whether it be the right or the left, and in what fashion it comes; for thief reflections will be a means to inform her, on what side the other may be, which as soon as she knows let her seek for it, and then gently draw it forth together with the first; and then also let her be very careful and well assured that this 2d be not the foot of another Child; for if it should chance to prove so, she may sooner split both Mother and Children than draw them forth: the which she may easily prevent it by sliding her hand up the first leg and thigh to the twist, she find both thighs joined together, and depending from one and the same body; and which is likewise without doubt the best means to find the other foot, when it comes but with one.  
Being then secured of both the Child's feet, she may draw them forth, and holding them together, she may bring them by little and little in this manner, by taking hold of the Legs and Thighs aftewards, as soon as she can come at them and drawing them so till the hips be come forth: in the mean time let her observe to wrap the parts in a single napkin, to the intent that her hands being already greasy slip or slide nor from the Infant's body, which is very slippery, because of the slimy humours which are all over it; and hinder her from taking fast hold of it; which being done she may on both sides, with her hand, bring away the arms, being careful that the Belly and Face be downwards; lest being upwards the Head be stopped by the chin over the share-bone; so that if it be not so she must turn it to that posture; which is easily done if by taking hold of the body, when the breast and arms are forth, she shall draw it with turning it in proportion, on that side it most inclines to, till it be as it should be, that is with the Face downwards, and having brought it to the shoulders, let her lose no time, (desiring the Women at the same instant to bear down) that so in drawing, the head at that very moment may take its places and not be stopped in its passage.  
There are indeed some Children that have their Head so big, that when the whole body is born, yet that stops in the passage, notwithstanding all the care that can be used to prevent it; in this case the Midwife must not only endeavour to draw forth the Child by the shoulders, lest she sometimes separates the body from the Head, but she must disengage it by little and little, from the bones in the passage, with the fingers of each hand, sliding on each side oppofite the one to the other, sometimes above and sometimes under until the work be ended; endeavouring to dispatch it as soon as possible, lest the Child be cloaked or stifled; as it will certainly be if it remain long in that posture; w●ich being artificially and well effected; she may soon after fetch away the afterbirth.   

SECT. XI. Figure the Second.  
DR. But, tell me, I pray, Mrs. Eutrapelia; What if an infant come with the feet forward, and the hands lifted above the head, and not drawn downwards to the thighs, (as in the follwing figure) what course will you take with most safety.   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the feet, with the arms pointing upwards 
Mid. Sir, I am not at all to receive it so lying, except the Infant be very small and little, and the Womb so extensive, and open, that it may be hoped a safe delivery, both to the Woman and to the Child; neither must I receive it before the Womb and the Infant be diligently anointed. But it were much better to thrust back the Infant into the Womb, and to turn it to the right form, which may be done after this manner. Let the woman lie on her back upon a bed, with her buttocks raised higher, and her head lower; which done, I must swath her belly upward gently, that I may drive back the Infant again into the Womb, by which means it may give an occasion of coming in another form; but above all, I must take care to turn the face of the Infant toward the back of the Mother, and then I must lift up the buttocks and things of the Infant toward the Navel of the Mother, that it may hasten toward a lawful birth: and there cannot be a safer experiment in this case, (as I conceive) which is also most useful in such births as come unnaturally.  
Dr. Those Authors indeed Mrs. that have written of labours and never practised them as many Physicians and Surgeons have done, do order all by the same precept often repeated, that is to reduce all unnatural and wrong births to a natural and right posture; which is to turn it that it may come with the Head first; but as I have said before, if they themselves had ever had the least experience, they would have known that it is very often impossible, at least, if they shall attempt to do it by the excess of violence, that must necessarily be offered to effect it; it will go near to hazard the destruction both of Mother and Child, in the operation. A fiat in this case ●s soon said, but not so easily executed as pronounced; and for my part I am of a clear contrary opinion to theirs, and such as are skilful in the art, will certainly acquiesce with me in this, that is, that whensoever the infant comes wrong in what posture soever ●rom the shoulders to the feet, it is the best ●nd safest way and soon performed to draw ●t forth by the Feet; diligently searching for ●hem as is before directed if they do not pre●ent themselves, rather than to make an attempt to put it into a natural posture, and ●lace the head foremost; for the great endeavours often necessary to be used in turning the infant in the Womb, (which is a little more difficult business then to turn a pancake in a frying-pan;) do so weaken both Mother and Child, that there remains not afterwards strength enough to commit the operation to ●ork of Nature; and usually the Woman ●ath no more throws nor pains fit for labour, ●fter she hath been so wrought upon; for ●hich cause it must needs be very tedious and difficult; as also the Infant, which is already ●ery weak, will certainly perish in the passage, without being able to be born.   

SECT. XII. Figure the Third.  
DR. Now I pray you Mrs. tell me, If the Infant happen to come forth but with one foot, and the arms let down to the sides, but the other foot turned backwards; How will you help?  
Mid. In this case worthy Sir what hath been said before, concerning the first Figure, being punctually observed, there will no difficulty at all remain in the operation; only always remembering, when there is occasion, to refresh the Woman in labour with such Medicinal means as may be proper for her in he condition.   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of one foot, with the other foot pointing backwards, and the arms pointing downwards  

SECT. XIII. Figure the Fourth.  
DR. If an Infant comes with the Shoulder first, or lie  on its back, or with its buttocks, with the hands and feet up; how will you help it?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the shoulder, back, or buttocks 
Mid. The most difficult of these three sorts of figures and situations, in which Infants sometimes come, is that of the shoulders, because it is farthest from the Infant's feet; and the Midwife must find them, to draw it forth; the next is the back, and the breech for the same reason causeth it least trouble; not only because the feet are nearer, but also because by this figure, the Infant's head and neck is not so locked as in the other postures.  
Now to remedy this birth of the shoulders some advice that it should be put back, to make way for the Infant's head, that thereby it may be reduced to a natural birth, but it is much better, for the reasons before alleged, to endavour to bring it by the Feet; the which dextrously to effect, the Midwife must thrust the shoulder back a little with her hand, that so she may have more liberty to introduce it into the Womb, and sliding it then along the Child's body either by the belly or side, as she shall find it easiest, she shall fetch the feet; and turning it bring them to the passage, and so she shall deliver that Woman as is before directed.  
If it be the back that presents to the birth, it is likewise impossible it should be born in in that posture, what pains soever the Mother endures; and besides the child having the body folded inwards, and almost double, its breast and belly are so pressed together, that i● usually wants very little to be choked or stifled; to avoid the which dangerous inconvenience, the Midwife must quickly slide up he● hand along the back towards the inferior parts, until she meets with the feet, to th● intent she bring it forth the same way as if i● came footling.  
But when the Child comes with the Breech forward, if it be small, and the Mother big, having the passages very large, it may sometimes, with a little help, be born so; for although it comes double, yet its Thighs being folded towards its belly, which is soft and gives way, it passeth without much trouble.  
Now as soon as the Midwife finds the Child to come with the Buttocks foremost she must not suffer it to engage lower in the passage; for it will not come after that manner, unless it be very small; and the passage very large as we have said; This being then in good time perceived, the Midwife must, if she can thrust back the breech, and sliding up her hand along the thigh to the legs and feet of the Child, she must bring them gently, one after another, forh of the Womb, by folding, stretching, wagging, and drawing them gently towards the side; being careful not to wind them too much, or cause a distocation, and then let her draw forth the rest of the body, as if it came with the feet foremost.  
I said, Sir that the Midwife, perceiving the Child to come with its breech foremost, aught to put it back, if she can, for sometimes it will be so far advanced, in the passage, that she may sooner destroy both Mother and Child then reduce it to the posture aforesaid, it being once so strongly engaged; when this happens she cannot by any means hinder it from coming in this posture, in which its belly is so pressed, that it often voids its ordure by its Fundament: however she may much help this birth, by sliding up one or 2 fingers of each hand on each side of the buttocks, for to introduce them into the groins; and having crooked them inward, she must draw the breech just out to the thighs, and then by drawing it, and wagging it from side to side, she will disengage them from the passage; as also the feet and legs one after the other; being very careful of putting any part out of joint; and then she may draw forth the rest, as before is taught when it come with its feet foremost.   

SECT. XIV. Figure the Fifth.  
DR. Tell me, Mrs, Eutrapelia, what if the Infant happen to hasten to the birth with his arms and legs distorted and crooked, according to this figure; How then will you help?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the legs bent at the knees, with the arms pointing downwards bent at the elbows 
Mid. As things so stand, Sir, I must not endeavour the birth of the child, but must bring her from the stool to the bed, where I must press back the womb as before-said, or must desire her to roll herself about, till the Infant is turned to a more commodious posture: And if this course prevail not, I must endeavour to join both feet together, and, if possible, must bring down the hands so to the sides, that I may direct it to the birth. But the safest and best way in my weak judgement Sr. must needs be that which you have taught me in the foregoing births.   

SECT. XV. Figure the Sixth.  
DR. Tell me, Midwife what if the Infant fall down with both the knees bend, and the hands hanging down to the thighs; How will you go to work?  
Mid. Here, Sr. when an Infant (not being turned, towards the latter months, as it ought, to come with its head foromost) presents its self with the knees to the birth, having its legs folded towards its buttocks, one may easily be deceivad touching one of them, because of their hardness and roundness, and take it for its head; especially when being seated a little high, it can be reached but with the end of a singer only, but if it be touched and handled a little better, the Infant being fallen a little lower it will be easily distinquished.  
Assoon therefore Sr. as such birth is perceieved, I must not suffer it to advance further in such a posture, but having placed the woman, must gently put back the child's knees to the intent that I may have the more liberty to unfold the legs one after another, th●… which dextrously to effect, I must put one o● two of my fingers under the child's hams directing them by little and little all along behind the leg until I meet with the foot an● drawing always a little obliquely, for t● come the easier to the end of it, that so having disengaged one, I may do the same to th● other, proceeding after the same manner a● with the first, after which having brought them together, I must finish the work, a● when a child comes with its feet foremost▪ and hands downwards to the things.   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the knees, with the arms pointing downwards  

SECT. XVI. Figure the Seventh.  
DR. But, Mrs. Eutrapelia, what if the Infant come out hastily with one hand, and the other hand down towards the side, and the feet stretched out straight into the womb, according to this figure; How will you receive it.   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of one hand, with the other hand pointing sidewards 
Mid. May it please you, Sir, I am not at all to receive it so, nor to suffer it to proceed farther toward the birth; but must bring her to the bed, where her head must lie lower than her buttocks; then I must swath her belly gently, that the Infant may fall back again into the womb: but if it fall not back of its own accord, I must put in my hand, and press back the shoulders, and must reduce the the arm that hanged out to the side, that it may be disposed of to a natural from in the Womb, and so may come forth easily.  
Dr. Very well Mrs. Eutrapelia, this is your way; but now give me leave I pray you to give you my method in this case; when an Infant therefore presents only one or both hands to the birth, or an arm sometimes out to the Elbow, and many times to the shoulder, it is of the worst and most dangerous postures a child can come in, as well for its self as its mother; by reason of the violence the midwife is forced to use both to the one and the other, in searching for the feet, which are very far off, by which I would always, in these cases, have it turned and drawn forth; the which to do will often make the midwife sweat in the midst of winter, because of the difficulty in this labour more than all the rest, though some other of them are indeed more dangerous for the Infant, as when it presents the belly, and the Navel string comes forth, but it is not so painful for the Midwife, because the feet of the Infant, being near the passage, are not so hard to be found, as when it comes with a hand forward, for than they are high, and at the very bottom sometimes of the womb; where the midwife must seek them to turn it and draw it forth as I shall now direct.  
When therefore it presents with one hand only, or a whole arm first it must by no means be pulled forth by that part, for it will be sooner separated and rend from the body then so brought forth; by reason a child is plucked obliquely and a cross-way; wherefore having placed the woman as is requisite, the midwife must put back the Infant's hand or arm, into the womb again: some Midwives dip in cold water, or wash it with a wet cloth, saying that the Infant will presently draw it in, if it be living; but it is usually so pressed and engaged in the passage, that this bad posture, that it hath not liberty enough to draw back its hands so easily, being once come forth; wherefore the midwife must guide them back with her own, which she must afterwards slide into the womb, under the child's breast and belly so far till she finds the feet, which she must gently pull towards her, to turn it and draw it forth by them as before I directed; always remembering to act with as little violence as may be, which is much more easy, sure and safe then to busy ones self in putting it to a natural situation.  
As soon therefore as she hath turned the child to the feet, if she hath hold but of one, she must search for the other, that so she may bring it to the first, when holding them both she must govern herself afterwards in bringing the child into the World, as we directed you before when the child comes with its feet foremost.  
But if the Arm be far advanced almost to the shoulder, and so big and swelled as it will be if it be along while forth, that it cannot at all, or with out great difficulty be put back, than she herself, or a Chirurgeon being immediately sent for, if the child be certainly dead, must twist the arm twice or thrice about, till it be wholly separated from the body, which it will easily be by reason of its tenderness, and that just in the joint of the shoulder with the shoulder blade; but be sure the child be dead; else what an horrible spectacle will it be to bring, as some have done, a poor child yet living into the World after the arm hath been cut off?   

SECT. XVII. Figure the Eighth.  
DR. But, Mrs, Suppose the Infant come forth with both hands stretched forth above the head, and the feet straight stretched into the Womb, which is here figured and is much more dangerous than the former?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of both hands together 
Mid. 'Tis true, Sir, this posture is much more dangerous than the former; but I shall take all the care I can to bring back again this birth into the womb wholly. And first of all, I shall anoint my hands, and the womb of the woman, with oils for this purpose, (for this requires no small labour) then, if possible, with my other hand shall drive it back so by the shoulders, that it may wholly fall back into the womb: And again, lest the Infant should return to the same form of birth, I must put in my hands, and bring down the arms of the Infant to the sides, and by that means bring it to the form of a natural birth. If this course take not, I must bring the woman to bed, where, after she hath lain quiet a while, I must proceed after the same manner as I have before delivered: and if this also be to no purpose, and that it neither be changed to another form, she must be brought to the stool; and the womb, by the help of the women that are assistants, must be depressed on both sides, and downwards: And (my hands being anointed as beforesaid, together with the Womb, and both the arms as they come) I must do what I can to join them together, and so receive it as it comes forth. And in this birth, there is the less danger, if that I or any other Midwife do our duties with all possible diligence, and in case the Infant be not too weak.  
Dr. Very well Mrs. your way, but I take mine which I mentioned in the former Section to be the safer of the two, but you may use which you think best.   

SECT. XVIII. Figure the Ninth.  
DR. But I pray you, Mrs. Eutrap. How will you deliver a woman of a child that falls down with its buttocks forwards, and the hands spread over the head, according to this figure.   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the buttocks 
Mid. Here, Sir, I must anoint my hands as abovesaid, and putting it up, must lift up the fundament of the child, and turn the head to the Birth. But, in this case I must not make too much haste, lest it fall into a worse form; neither is it possible that a child should be so born, without great loss to the Mother and Infant; therefore, if it cannot be turned with the hand, she must be brought to the bed, where, if she be very weak, she may be refreshed with convenient meats and cordials, and then often proceeded with as is said before, until the Infant shall come to a more commodious form of birth.  
Dr. Your observations and apprehensions of danger in this operation are very good; so that when the next opportunity presents you will find my former directions to be best and safest.   

SECT. XIX. Figure the Tenth.  
DR. But sometimes (Mrs.) it happens that it offers itself with its shoulders forwards, and the head turned backwards, but the feet and hands lifted up, as in the ensuing figure; How will you help here?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the shoulders 
Mid. In this case, Sir; I must in the first place move backward the shoulders of the Infant, that it may first appear with the head forward; and this may easily be done, because the shoulders being but a little up, the head of itself will fall down to the orifice of the womb, as being nearest to it. But if there must be any other way attempted, she must be brought back to the bed, and then so stirred and rolled, and used according to those directions formerly hinted.   

SECT. XX. Figure the Eleventh.  
DR. Mrs, I fear I trouble you with many Questions; be pleased to satisfy me in this, and four or five more, and I shall forbear. What then if the Infant incline to the birth with the hands and feet together, as if it stood upon all four, with the back upward into the womb; (as in this figure) What, I say, will you do?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of both hands and feet together 
Mid. Here, Sir, I must take care, lest some danger happen from this difficult and unshapely figure; therefore I must do thus. I must so move the feet of the Infant, that I may handle the head, and do what I can to direct that first to the birth: I must also move up the arms, lest of their own accord they fall down to the sides of the womb. And if this way succeed not, she must be brought back to the bed, and the same means used for the turning of the Infant as hath been formerly described.   

SECT. XXI. Figure the Twelfth.  
DR. Sometimes, Mrs. it falls out, that (contrary to the former shape) the Infant falls down upon its breast, with the hands and feet cast backward into the Womb, as in this figure; what will you do in such a condition?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the chest 
Mid. Truly, this case is the most dangerous of all hitherto proposed. First, therefore, I must carefully anoint both my hands, and also the womb of the woman; which done, I must feel for the arms of the Infant, and lay hold of them so, till I can lay hold of the head also, and with all care hold it so fast, that I may direct the head first to the birth; next I must dispose of them to the sieds; for this done, the birth will come forth the sooner, and with less danger; but if this succeed not, it will be safest to bring the woman to the bed, and to proceed as formerly showed; that, if perhaps, by this kind of delay, the Infant may accommodate itself to a more fit posture for the birth.   

SECT. XXII. Of a birth wherein the Infant presents the belly.  
DR. In the next place Mrs. Midwife, let me hear from you how you will help a woman in labour of a child when it presents its belly first?  
Mid. That you shall Sr. very willingly to the utmost of my skill.  
And here Sr. I must note that the backbone may easily be bend and turned forwards alittle, but by no means backwards without excessive violence. Wherefore the worst and most dangerous figure that a child can offer to the birth, is the belly, or the breast, for then its body is constrained to bend backwards, and what ever throws or endeavours a woman makes to bring it forth it will never be accomplished; for she will sooner perish with her child then ever advance it in this posture into the passage, wherefore 'tis in great danger if not timely succoured; and in case it should escape, which would be very strange, it would be weak in the back along time after its birth: but that which augments the danger much more is that for the most part the Navil-string comes forth when the Child comes with the belly; Therefore as soon as 'tis discovered to be so, the Midwife must use the sole remedy of drawing it forth by the feet, as speedily as may be, in this following manner.  
Having placed the woman I must gently slide up my flat hand, being well anointed for the easier entrance, towards the middle of the child's breast, which I must thrust back to turn it, this situation being already half turned, the feet being as near to the passage as the head, when it represents the middle of the belly; then I must slip up my hand under the belly till I find the feet, which I must bring to the passage, to draw it forth in the same manner, as if it came with the feet foremost; being very careful to keep the Face downwards which must always be observed before the head can be drawn forth, for the reasons before given which must never be forgotten.  
And here likewise is to be noted that the Midwife must always proceed after one and the same manner in the deliveries when a Child comes with the breast, or belly.  
But on the other hand I would have it remarked, that when at any time an Infant comes with its side, it is impossible to be delivered as the two former; but yet it is not so much tormented, nor is its situation so cruel; for it may remain in it a longer time without dying, than in the two former, wherein it is much more as it were upon the rack than in this, in which posture the body may be bended forwards, and not backwards, as in the other; but the Navel string doth not come forth so easily, as when it comes with the belly first. And in this as in the other 2 births, the Midwife will find it the safest way to draw it forth by the feet; by pushing back a little the Infant's body with her hand, the better to introduce it, which she may slide along its thighs till she find the legs and feet by which she must turn it, and afterwards draw it forth, as I said even now: nor ought she to amuse herself, in any of these 3 births, to place its head right, that it may come naturally, because 'tis in great danger of dying in these unnatural positions, if not drawn forth with speed, which can never be effected unless it be by finding the feet, as I have directed.   

SECT. XXIII. How to help a Woman in her Labour, when the Child's head thrusts the neck of the Womb forth before it.  
DR. Now Mrs. Eutrapelia, I have another question to ask you, and that is this; suppose you were called to deliver a Woman in labour where you find the Child's head to thrust forth the neck of the Womb before it, how would you go to work in such a case, and what art would you use to deliver the Child with safety?  
Mid. Why surely Sir, if we only have respect to the Figure the Child comes in in this labour, we may call it a natural one; but if we shall, on the other hand, consider either the disposition of the Womb, which is in danger of coming quite forth of the passage, or the manner of drawing forth of the Infant, we shall find it to be not so altogether: for its head thrusting it forceably before it may easily cause a falling out of the Womb, if the Woman be not skilfully succoured in time, here may be seen the neck of the Womb bear forth before in great wrinkles according as the Child advanceth.  
Now Women troubled with their bearing down of their Womb before they conceive, and those whose Womb is very moist, are much subject to this accident, because of the looseness of the strings.  
The same method must not be observed here, as in the natural birth; for in this case the Woman must neither walk nor stand upright; but she must keep her bed with her body equally at least situated, and not raised a little as is requisite in a natural labour. She must by no means use strong or sharp clysters, lest they procure too great throws, neither must her Womb be moistened, because 'tis already too much loosened; but she must be aided at the moment each pain takes her, when the Child gins to advance its head, and consequently the neck of the Womb, and let the Midwife keep her hands on each side of its head, to thrust back by resisting the Woman's pains, the Womb only giving way in the mean time for the Child to advance, doing the like at every throw; continuing therein till the Woman of herself hath forced the Child quite into the World, for we must by no means draw it by the head, as in a natural labour, for fear of causing the Womb to fall out at the same time, to which it is then very apt.  
Now if notwithstanding the Infant having the head born, and yet stops there, so long as to endanger its suffocation, than the Midwife must call a second person to her assistance, to draw it gently forth by the head, whilst she keeps back the Womb with both her hands, to prevent its following the Infant's body so drawn forth. After the Woman is thus delivered, and her. Afterbirth fetched away gently; and not shaking or drawing it away too rudely, then let the Womb be placed up in its natural situation if it bears down.   

SECT. XXIV. How to deliver a Woman when the Child presents the side of the Head, to the birth, or its Face.  
DR. Good Mrs. Eutrapelia, I do very well approve of this your answer to my last quere; now in the next place I would know of you how you would bring a Woman to bed when the Child shall present itself with the side of its Head first, or its Face.  
Mid. When the child Sir presents itself in this posture, as with the side of the head though it seems a natural labour, because the head comes first, yet 'tis very dangerous both to child and mother, for the child shall sooner break its neck than ever be born in this fashion, and by how much the mother's pains continue to bear it which is impossible unless the head be first right placed, the more the passages are stopped up.  
Therefore as soon as 'tis known the woman must be laid with all speed, lest the child advancing farther in this vicious posture, it prove more difficult to thrust it back; which must be done when we would place the head right in the passage as it truly and naturally should be.  
Now to effect this I must place the woman that her hips be a little higher than her head and shoulders, causing her to lean a little upon the opposite side to the child's ill posture; then I must slide up my hand being well anointed with oil, by the side of the child's head, for to bring it right gently with my fingers between the head and the womb: but if the head be so engaged that it cannot be easily done that way, I must then put my hand up to its shoulders, that so by thrusting them back in the womb, sometimes on the one side, and sometimes on the other; as I see occasion, so shall I give it a natural and convenient position.  
And here it were to be wished that the midwife could put back the Infant by the shoulders with both her hands in this manner; but the head doth take up so much room that she hath much ado to introduce one only with which she must do her operation, with the half of the fingers ends of the other hand put up as far as necessary, afterwards let her excite and procure the child's birth, as directed before.  
Then sometimes the child comes with its face first, having its head turned back; in which posture it is very difficult it should be born; and if it long remain so, the face will be so black and blue, and swelled that at first sight it will appear monstrous, which comes as well by the compression of it in that place as by the Midwife's fingers handling it too rudely, when she endeavoured to place it in a better posture.  
There was a certain Woman whose Child came with its Face so black and mishapen as soon as it was born, as is usual in such cases, that it looked like a black Moor; as soon as the Mother saw it, she said she always feared her Child would be so monstrous, because when she was young with Child of it she fixed her looks very much upon a black moor; wherefore she wished or at least wise cared not though it died, rather than she said she should behold a Child so monstrously disfigured, as it then appeared; but she soon changed her mind when she was made sensible, that this blackness was occasioned only by reason that it came into the World with its face forwards, and that assuredly in three or four days it would wear away; as accordingly it happened; having often anointed it with oil of sweet Almonds, as she was ordered; and when the Child came to be about a 12 month old, you could have scarcely seen a fairer. Now to deliver this birth the Midwife must observe the same manner, as in that whe●… the Child comes with the side of the head▪ being careful to work gently to avoid bruising the Face.  
But here note that if it should chance tha● the Child's hand or hands should come with either of these births, which for the mos● part happens, rather than any other part, i● will hinder the birth by reason it takes up part of the passage, and for the most par● cause the head to lean on one side.  
To remedy this as soon as 'tis preceived that one hand presents together with the head, it must be prevented from coming down more, or engaging farther in the passage▪ wherefore the Midwife having placed the Woman on the bed, with her head a little lower than her hips, must in the next place, put and guide back the Child's head with her own, as much as may be; or both hands i● they came both down for to give way to the Child's head, which done she must proceed a● before.   

SECT. XXV. How to deliver a Woman when the Child's Head is born, and the Womb closeth about its Neck.  
DR. Very well Mrs. Eutrapelia, you have now given us a farther account of your very good judgement in your Art, in your dextrous & ingenious way of bringing a Woman to bed in the last posture. But now I would desire you to let me know how you will deliver a Woman of her Child, when its head is born, but yet the Womb closeth about its Neck.  
Mid. Truly Sir to deliver this Woman is not so easy abusiness as may be imagined, by reason that a small delay herein may cause the strangling of the Child.  
And here you must observe that the Child comes naturally with the Head first, because by its bigness and hardness the passage might be the better made and opened, for the other parts of the body; the which usually pass afterwards without pain; but yet notwithstanding sometimes the Head is so small and the shoulders so large, that without a very great difficulty they cannot pass, which makes the Child remain often in the passage after the head is born. And this accident may likewise happen sometimes for not having been careful to lose no time in drawing forth the Child by the head, to the end the shoulders might, at the same instant, follow in the same place the head possessed.  
Now when I meet with this Figure, I must by all possible means seek speedily to deliver the poor Child out of this prison, or rather snare, or collar in which it is caught, for fear as I said before, it come by delay to be strangled: to prevent which I must endeavour to cause the shoulders immediately to follow by gently drawing its Head, sometimes by the sides of it, and sometimes with one hand under the chin, and the other behind its head, and so doing by turns, on the one side and the other, to facilitate the operation the better, being very careful and circumspect that the Navil-string be not entangled about its Neck; as also not to draw it forth with too much violence, for fear lest it may happen, as I once saw, the Head to be pulled from the Shoulders. But if the Shoulders come not with gentle pulling, than I must slide up my fingers on both sides under the Armpits, with which turning them inwards, I may by little and little, draw forth the Shoulders; but if when they are in the passage and totally disengaged, if I cannot get the rest forth by still keeping my fingers under the Armpits, I may be very confident there is some other hindrance, and that it is certainly monstrous in some part of its body; or that, as it for the most part happens in this case, it is hydropical in the belly; for which cause it is impossible it should be born, before the belly be pierced to evacuate the waters; and than it will easily be accomplished; but this being the expert Physician or Chirurgion's parts to perform, I shall leave it wholly to them.   

SECT. XXVI. When the Navil-string comes first.  
DR. Now Mrs. Eutrapelia, I would know of you how you behave yourself when you have a labour presented to you wherein the Child's Navil-string comes first?  
Mid. Here Sir you must note, That an Infant doth not always present with the belly when the navil-string comes first; for though it presents naturally as to the Figure of its body, that is with its Head first, yet sometimes the Navil-string falls down and comes before it; for which cause the Child is in much danger of death, especially if the labour be not very quick, because the blood that ought to pass and repass, through those Vessels which compose it, for to nourish and keep the Child alive, whilst it continues in the Womb, being coagulated hinders the circulation which ought to be there made, which happens as well by the contusion, as the cold those Vessels receive, being much pressed in the passage when it comes together with the Head, or any other part; as also because the blood doth there coagulate as is said, by reason of the cold which it takes by the coming forth of the Navil-string.  
But though this accident may cause the Infants sudden death, 'tis not so much for lack of nourishment; without which it may pass a whole day or more, there being blood enough in its body for that purpose: but because the blood can be no longer enlivened and renewed by circulation, as it hath continual need; which being obstructed always causeth the creatures sudden death, sooner or later according as it is more or less obstructed.  
I know it may be objected that though the circulation be so hindered and intercepted by the coming forth of the string it need not therefore cause such a sudden death to the Child, because the blood may notwithstanding circulate in all the other parts of the body: To which I answer that in respect to the Infant 'tis either absolutely necessary that the blood, for want of respiration, should be elaborated or prepared, in the thick part of the burden called the placenta, and therefore must be a free communication, or for want of it that the Infant must immediately breathe at the mouth, as well to be refreshed, as to drive out the fuliginous or sooty Vapours by expiration, which not being possible whilst in the Womb, it must unavoidably be choked, and die in a very short time, if it wants both together.  
Wherefore in this case the Woman must, without any delay, be delivered, the which if nature doth not speedily perform, the Child must be drawn forth by its feet.  
Women that have great waters and along string to the burden, are very subject to this mischief; for the waters coming forth in great abundance at the breaking of the skins, or membranes, do often at that instant, draw the string which swims in the midst, forth along with them; and much the easier if the Infant's head be not advanced very forward into the passage, for to hinder the coming forth of it in this manner.  
Assoon as 'tis perceived you must immediately endeavour to put it back, to prevent the cooling of it, behind the Child's head, lest it be bruised, as we have already noted, whereby the blood may coagulate there keeping it in that place where it was thrust back, until the head being fully come forth into the passage may hinder the coming down of it again; which may be effected by holding it up with the fingers of one hand, on that side it comes down, until the head be advanced as aforesaid; or in case the hand be taken away to put a piece of fine soft rag between the side of the head and the Womb, to stop up the way it came down by, always leaving an end of the rag without the body to draw it forth by at pleasure.  
But sometimes notwithstanding all these cautions and the putting of it back, it will for all that come forth every pain; and then without any more delays at all the Midwife must bring the Child forth by the Feet, which she must make a diligent search and enquiry after, although the Infant comes with the head foremost; for there is but this only means left remaining to save the Child's life, which it would certainly lose by the least delay in such a case.  
Wherefore having placed the Woman conveniently, let her gently put back the Head which offers, provided it be not engaged too low amongst the bones of the passage, and that it may be done without too great violence to the Woman; for in that case it will be better to let the Child run the hazard of dying, than to destroy the Mother; for Tertullian, as my learned Mr. Riolanus very well observes, upon a like Subject, saith That it is a necessary cruelty, to kill the Child in such a case, rather than to save it from the danger it is in of dying, and so certainly cause the Mother's death; and then let her slide up her hand, being well anointed, under the breast and belly to search for the Feet, by which she must draw it forth according as hath been formerly discoursed; the which being performed let her immediately take care, of the Infant, which is ever in this case very feeble.   

SECT. XXVII. Wherein the Burden either first offers itself or comes first quite forth.  
DR. Very well, and excellently have you given us demonstrations of your skill and knowledge hitherto, good Mrs. Eutrapelia, now pray will you inform me how you act your part in a Labour wherein the burden either first offers, or else comes first quite forth.  
Mid. That I shall Sir to the best of my Talon and therefore first of all Sir I must note that the coming forth of the Navil-string before the Infant, whereof we discoursed in our foregoing Section, is oftentimes the cause of its death, for the reason there alleged; but the coming forth of the burden first, is yet much more dangerous; for that besides that the Children are then commonly Stilborn, if they be not assisted in the very instant, the Mother likewise is in great peril of her life also, because of her great floodings, which usually happen, when it is loosened from the Womb before its due time; by reason that it leaves all the orifices of the Vessels, to which it did cleave, open, whence incessantly flows blood until the Child be born; by reason that the Womb, as long as any thing continues there, doth every moment strongly endeavour to expel it, by which means it continually voids and expresseth the blood of the Vessels, which are always open (as we have already explained) when the burden is so separated; as long as the Womb remains extended and cannot be closed, until it hath voided all that it did contain, and comes, by the contraction of its Membranous substance, to stop them by pressing them together; wherefore if the Midwife ought to be vigilant and diligent to secure an Infant when the Navil-string comes first, how much more ought she to be so when burden comes forth first, and wherein the least delay is ever the cause of the Infants sudden death, if the Woman be not speedily delivered? because the Infant cannot then remain long in the Womb without being choked or stifled, being it stands in need at that time of breathing at the mouth, (as we explained the foregoing discourse,) the blood being no longer enlivened by the preparation made in the burden, the use and function of which then ceasing, from that very instant that it is separated from the Vessels of the Womb, to which it was joined; for which reason there immediately follows a great fludding which is so dangerous for the Mother, that without speedy help, she quickly looseth her life by this unlucky accident.  
Now when the Burden is not wholly come forth but lies in the passage, some advice to put it back before the Child be fetched; but I am not of their opinion; for when it comes into the passage before the Infant; it is at that time totally divided from the Womb, at the bottom whereof it ought to be commonly situated and fastened, until the Child be born: but because as soon as it is wholly loosened, as it always is when it comes first, it becomes a body altogether unnatural; therefore it is never to be thrust back, but contrariwise be fetched away, and at that very moment after bring the Child away by the Feet, although it came naturally with the Head first: for what reason can there be to put it back, since it is of no use to the Infant, from the moment it is separated from the Womb, as cannot be denied? And such a proceeding is so far from being useful, that this burden would much hinder the Midwife from being able to turn the Child, as she ought, in bringing it forth by the Feet.  
Wherefore when it presents itself in the passage, which may soon be perceived if the Midwife find every where a soft substance, without the least resistance of any solid part to the touch; and finding likewise the string fastened to the middle of it, and the Woman fludding extremely as is ordinary at such times; then in lieu of thrusting it back, the burden must be brought away, that so there may be the more liberty and room to draw forth the Child, according as hath been before directed.  
The Burden then being quite loosened from the womb, and coming first in the passage must not be thrust back again into it, much less must it be put back when it is quite come forth of the body. The midwife must only take care not to cut the string till the child be born, not out of hopes of any benefit from it to the Infant during the delivery, but that so much time may not be lost before the Infant be fetch away, which is then ever in great danger, as also the flooding may be the sooner stopped, which happens. for the most part as soon as the woman is delivered, for which reasons it will be dispatched with all possible speed.  
Sometimes notwithstanding this dangerous accident the child may be born alive, if timely succoured, but it is then so weak that it is hard to discover at first, whether it be alive or dead.  
When it so happens some midwies do ordinarily, before they separate the burden, put it into a Skillet of hot wine, and imagine, with no small superstition, that in case it it comes to itself, the vapours of the warm wine was the cause of it, being conveyed by means of the string into the Infant's belly, and so giving vigour; but it is more credible that being almost stifled for want of breathing as it needed it, it gins now, by means of it, to recover from that fainting: but nevertheless there may be no hurt in continuing the old custom, since it can do no perjudice, and may satisfy fine occupied Spirits, provided necessaries be not neglected, in being blindly carried away with this conceit.   

SECT. XXVIII. Figure the Thirteenth.  
DR. There being the same reason in twins as in a single birth, except that the single birth is natural, and the twins not so, certainly the same method must be observed (Mrs.) Tell me then, if there be two or more, and and all come fair with their heads toward the birth; What is to be done?   depiction of twin babies in the womb in the natural position for birth: presentation of the head 
Mid. Here, Sir, I must observe that which lieth readiest and fittest in the Womb, and first receive that, and not to let the other go till the first is born, lest it turn into another shape by sliding back again into the Womb; but the one being born, I must presently lay hold on the other. Now, this birth will be easier, and without danger, because the first birth hath made the way for the second so plain, that it may come forth without any difficulty at all. But in this birth I must take care that I bring forth the after-burden timely enough, lest that the Womb, being freed from her Infants, presently fall down, and so keep in the after-burden with great danger.   

SECT. XXIX. Figure the Fourteenth.  
DR. But, Mrs. What if there be Twins, and they both come unnaturally with their Feet forward, as in this Figure; what course will you take?   depiction of twin babies in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of the feet 
Mid. This birth, Sir, is dangerous enough and yet it is to be mended by the prudence of a discreet Midwife. Wherefore, I must anoint the womb of the woman, that the passages may be the easier for the Infant; which being done, I must take care to lay hold of the arms of one of them, and bringing them down to the sides, secure them so, that I may lightly promote the head to the birth; and the first being born, I must presently proceed with the other after the same manner: but if I can lay hold of neither of their arms, so that there is no good hopes of a happy birth, I must have recourse to the former method; if at least the Infants may come into the World by that pains and conversion which is wrought upon the bed.   

SECT. XXX. Figure the Fifteenth.  
DR. I come now to my last unnatural birth of Twins. If then there be Twins, (these forms being compound as of a natural and unnatural birth) the one coming down with the Feet, what is to be done in this case?   depiction of twin babies in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: presentation of one head and one foot together 
Mid. Where Infants offer themselves after this manner; I must first bring forth that which presents itself with a natural form, and must move up the other which is with the Feet forward, and if possible, cause it so to return into the Womb, that that form also may be disposed of to a natural birth; but if it cannot be turned to be in a better posture, I must lay hold presently on the hands, and encourage it to the birth. But it were safer that this should be brought to a natural form; to which end I must diligently endeavour it, by anointing, directing, moving it, tumbling and rolling the Woman, lest perhaps the Womb be hurt by the form of such an unnatural birth, and the privities swell with wind, from whence the birth cannot come forth without danger, or be hindered too long: All which danger may with provident care be avoided, or at the least very much corrected and amended.  
Dr. So far concerning your way and method of Labours wherein several Children in different postures present themselves together; but now good Mrs. Eutrapelia, I would have you to hear a little what I have to offer you concerning these deliveries; and first of all be pleased to consider seriously with me, that if all those unnatural Figures and Situations which we have hitherto described, that a single Child may come in do cause those many difficulties, and dangers mentioned, certainly the Labour wherein several come together in those bad Situations must be much more painful, not only to the Mother and Children, but also to the Midwife, for they are then so pressing that for the most part they trouble and hinder one another; moreover the Womb is so filled with them that the Midwife can scarce introduce her hand without much violence, which she must do if they are to be turned or thrust back to the end that she may give them a better position then that wherein they present.  
Where note then, that when a Woman hath 2 Children they do not ordinarily both present to the birth together, but one is oftentimes more forward than the other, which is the cause why but one is felt, and that 'tis sometimes not discovered that the Woman will have Twins, till going to fetch the afterbirth, the first being born, the 2 d is then perceived.  
When there are Twins Mrs. Eutrapelia one must not think that Nature is orderly in causing one to be born before the other, the first or last, according as it may be most convenient, that is to say when the one is strong and the other weak, that the strongest comes first; as also when one is dead and the other living, that the living one drives forth the dead one: for I can assure you there is no certain or infallible rule in these cases; of which I can give you an example; there were once 2 women delivered within a week of one another, and both of Twins, the one of each being dead and the other living, the living Child of the first Woman was born before the dead one, and the dead one the 2d was expelled before the living one. And the same thing we see happens very often in respect of strong and weak Children; for that which is nearest the birth whether alive or dead, strong or weak, is always the first born, or must be brought into the World the first, if it cannot come of itself; otherwise the difficulty of the Labour would yet be augmented as well in length of time to the Mother, as the violence done to the first Child, in putting it back, for to fetch the 2d first.  
Now the Midwife must always remember to have a care in all natural births, to examine diligently whether there be no more Children in the Womb after the first is delivered, which she may easily know by the continuance of the pains after the Child is born, and the bigness of the Mother's belly; besides this she may be very sure of it, if she shall put her hand up the entry of the Womb, and shall there find another water a gathering, and a Child in it presenting to the passage; and if this shall be so, the Midwife is not to fetch away the afterbirth till the Woman be delivered of all her Children, if she chance to have never so many, because Twins never have but one burden, to which there are fastened as many strings and distinct Membranes as there are Children, and if one should go to draw it forth as soon as the Birth is born, the rest would be in danger of their lives, because that part is very necessary to them whilst they are in the Womb, and besides more than that it endangers a flooding. Wherefore the first string must be cut, being first tied with three or four double, and the other end must be fastened, with a string to the Woman's thigh; not so much for fear that the string should enter again into the Womb, as to prevent the inconvenience it may cause to the Woman by hanging between her thighs; afterwards this Child being removed, the Midwife must take care to deliver her of the rest, observing all the same circumstances as were belonging to the first, the which being done it will be then convenient and necessary to fetch away the Afterbirth; as we shall discourse the manner how by and by.   

SECT. XXXI. Figure the Sixteenth.  
DR. Courteous Mrs. Eutrapelia, I have hitherto troubled you with many Questions, that I might not only be sure of your abilities, but also give testimony of your sufficiency, if need require. I have now only one Question more, and then I have done, as to these postures and fashions: And this, though the last, surely is a miraculous posture. What if the Infant be so involved in the womb (the head and the neck being of such a length) that it is so bend back, that the face lieth betwixt the buttocks, the right hand to the left region of the reins, but the left hand to the knee of the same side; the right leg being across the left, in form of the letter X, and both legs bend up toward the breast?   depiction of the baby in the womb in an unnatural position for birth: deformed, doubled over and twisted 
Mid. Worthy Dr. This case is the hardest of any that hitherto you have propounded to me; and though it may never fall out to be so in one amongnst 5000, yet (because, in your description of the best Midwife, you tell me that a Midwife must have a good memory) I remember a learned Doctor, not long since acquainted me with such a posture, which he told he had from the hands of an expert Chirurgeon and Physician, whose wife also was an expert Midwife; and the course the Midwifed took in such a case, he told me was this, which must serve also for my answer, because I think there cannot be a better. After the woman had been eight days in labour, and given over by all Midwives as desperate, being in a violent Fever., with no throws, but very weak, and (by reason of hot medicines given to expel the birth, and strong wines given to support the spirits) those humours, that usually accompany the Infant had so flown out, that the genitals were so dry and closed, that they would scarce admit the probation of two fingers. This method was used: First, instead of wine, she gave her good store of Almond-milk; and because her belly was very costive, she gave her Clysters; and to keep up her spirits she gave her Cordials, (of which in their order.) She laid plasters to her hands wrists, and anointed the whole region of the belly, hips, loins, the rump-bone, and privities with Oils to appease her pain and with softening Unguents; and then she made a triangular bag stuffed with emollient and relaxing herbs, boiled in water, according to this description, (and of which more hereafter.)   depiction of a triangular bag to be filled with emollient and relaxing herbs and applied to the genital area to ease childbirth 
The description of the Bag.  
It was of such a bigness, as that it might cover the lower part of the bel●… and the privities, and with tapes fitted to the corners was applied hot, and continued on some hours; after which, though her hand were well anointed, she could scarce thrust in the top of her finger into the orifice of the womb, the womb was so closed, and the Infant so depressed toward the share-bone, by reason of the precedent throws and pangs. But at length, when with much labour and industry the genitals were somewhat dilated, that she could get in her fingers farther, she found the loins and the right hand of the child first offer itself to the birth: that therefore she might correct this monstrous and so inverted posture of the Infant so doubled and twisted, and either persuade the head or the feet to come forward, she used the best of her skill, but to little purpose, the genitals were so narrow and straight. But yet not giving off her endeavours, she did deliver her within eight hours after she came to her assistance; but the child was dead.  
Dr. Mrs. You give a very good account of an expert Midwife's practice, which you may follow with safety, expecting the success from Heaven; but it is no wonder the child should be stillborn, (as you phrase it;) for being so turned and doubled, the child must of necessity be strangled in the womb.  
Having t●…s run through births, as well natural as unnatural, I shall give you the reason (and that in my own opinion) why these births are of so various and different postures in the womb, observing not always the same posture: and 'tis because the Infant swimming in water, and moving itself, sometimes this way sometimes that way or moyed by its mother as you have heard before, is bend and tumbled several ways; insomuch, that sometimes it is strangely entangled with its own navil-cord, which I am confident you have seen in your own experience oftentimes, and shall now in the next place desire you to let me know which way you use to go to work, when a dead Child is to be delivered from its Mother and she alive.   

SECT. XXXII. Of delivering of a Woman of a dead Child.  
MId. Sir I shall most willingly consent to your demand, as far as I shall be able, in this always so long and dangerous a Labour; which is because for the most part it comes wrong; or though it comes right with the Head, yet the Woman's pains are so weak and slow in these cases that she cannot bring it forth, and sometimes she hath none at all, forasmuch as nature, half overthrown by the death of the Child, which cannot help itself, labours so little, that many times it cannot finish the business it hath begun, but must yield, without the help of art, of which at such a time it hath great need: However before ever I may settle to your work, I'll endeavour to stir up the Woman's pains with strong and sharp clysters, to bring on her throws, and to bear down and bring forth the Child; and if these means prevail not she must then be delivered by the help of art.  
Now if there be any case wherein a Midwife ought to make the greatest reflection and use most precaution in her Art it is this, that is to know whether the Infant in the Womb be living or dead; for there have been many deplorable examples of children's being drawn forth alive, after they have been thought to have been dead, with both Arms or some other limb lopped off, and others miserably killed by the use of crotchets which might have been born alive if they had not been mistaken: wherefore before the Midwife resolves on the manner of laying the Woman, to avoid the like misfortune, and the disgrace of being author of such a pitiful spectacle let her do her utmost endeavour not to be so deceived and to be wholly satisfied whether the Child be alive or dead; always remembering in this case that timidity is more pardonable than temerity, that is, it is better to be deceived in treating a dead Infant, as if in case it were a live, than a living one as if it were dead.  
Now besides what hath been said before concerning knowing whether the Child be alive or not; you must not always put your whole confidence, in the first place, in the Woman's telling you that the Child is certainly alive because it stirs, and though to be the better assured the Midwife may lay her hand on the Mother's belly, for there have been Women sometimes delivered whose Children had been dead about 4 days, as might be easily judged by their corruption, who notwithstanding have affirmed, though untruly, that they felt them stir but a little before they were delivered; and others again whose Children were alive, and yet their Mothers never perceived them to stir in three or 4 days before, as they confessed:  
Now if the Midwife cannot be assured by the Child's motion that it is alive, she may assoon as the waters are broke, gently put up her hand into the Womb, to feel for the breaking of the Navil-string, the which she will find to be stronger, the nearer she feels it to the Infant's belly; or if she meets with in hand she may feel the pulse; but their pulses, you must know are not so strong as their Navil-strings, therefore the best to be known by it; if then also by putting her finger into the Child's mouth she perceive it to stir its Tongue, as if it would suck; and on the contrary, if no such signs, and the Mother feel a great weight, and great pains in her belly, and it be not supported but tumbles always on the side she lays herself; if she faints and have Convulsion Fits, if the Navil-string or secondine hath been a good while in the World, and if the Midwife by putting her hand into the Womb, finds the Child cold, and feeling she finds that very soft, chief towards the crown where likewise th● bones are open, and riding one upon the other at the clefts, or Sutares, because th● brain shrinks, which corrupts more in 2 day● in the Womb, than it doth in 4 after it i● born, which is caused by the heat and moistness of the place, the 2 principals of corruption; and if there comes a dark and stinking putrid matter from the Womb; all these signs together, or most of them demonstrate to the ingenious Midwife that the Child i● assuredly dead; the which when she is certain of, she must do her endeavour to fetch i● away as soon as possibly she can, and having placed the Woman conveniently, if th● Child offers its head first, she must gently pu● it back, until she hath liberty to introdu●… her hand wholly into the Womb, and sliding it all along under the belly to find the Feet▪ let her draw it forth by them, being ver● careful to keep the head from being lock'● in the passage, and that it be not separate● from the body, which may easily happe● when the Child being very rotten and putrified, she doth not observe the circumstance● that we spoke of before, that is, in drawing forth the Child, to keep its breast and face always downwards; And if notwithstanding all these precautions, the head, because of the great putrefaction, should be separated and left behind in the Womb; it must be left to be drawn forth by the expert Physician or Chirurgeon. The same also is to be said when the Head is so far advanced coming first, and engaged among the bones of the passage, that it cannot be put back, then being very sure by all the signs together or most of the chief of them, that the Child is dead certainly, 'tis better to let the Surgeon draw it so forth, it being a round slippery part, with crotchets, then torment the Woman to put it back. Now if the dead Child (whereof above all there must be good assurance,) comes with its arms up to it shoulders so extremely swelled that the Woman must suffer too much violence to have it put back, 'tis best then, as was said before, to take it off at the shoulder joint, by twisting it 3 or 4 times about; then afterwards the Midwife will have more room to put up her hand into the Womb, the arm being so separated and no longer possessing the Womb, and so fetch away the Child by the Feet.  
For indeed although it be certain that the Child be quite dead in the Womb, and other circumstances that will demonstrate that there is need of a Physician or Surgeon's Art, yet he must not therefore presently use his crotchets; because they are never to be used but when hands are not sufficient, and that there is no other remedy to prevent the Woman's danger, or to bring away the Child any other way: for very often, though all hath been done that art directs, some persons present that understand not these things will believe that the Child was killed with the crotches although it had been dead 3 days before, and without other reasonings and better understanding of the matter for his recompense, in saving the life of the Mother, requite him, with an accusation of which he is altogether innocent, and in case the Mother should afterwards die, by misfortune, lay her death also to his charge, and instead of praise and thanks treat him like a Butcher, or Hangman; to which divers Midwives are commonly very ready to contribute, and are the first that make the poor Women, that have need of the Men, afraid of them. Insomuch that they are afraid of being blamed by them for having themselves been the cause, (as some of them often are) of the death of Infants, and many ill accidents which often befall the poor Women, for not causing them to be helped in due time, and from the very instant that they perceive the difficulty of the labour to pass their understandings. I speak this by way of caution on both sides.  
Now therefore for the Physician or Chirurgeon to avoid these calumnies, let him never use his crotchets, but very rarely when there is no other way; as also to endeavour his utmost, as much as the case will permit, to bring the Child whole into the World although it be dead, and not by bits and peicemeals, to give the ignorant not any pretence of blame; I say as much as the case will permit, that is, with respect to the Woman under his hands; for to save her he had better sometimes to bring forth the Child with Instruments, then to kill her, by tormenting her with excessive violence to bring it forth whole: for in a word, he must and aught to do, in his conscience, what his Art commands, without taking heed to what may be spoken afterwards: and every Physician or Chirurgeon that hath a well regulated conscience, will always have a greater regard to his duty, than his reputation, in such a case; in performing of which let him expect his reward from God.   

SECT. XXXII. Of the extracting of a mola and false conception.  
DR. We have hitherto Mrs. Eutrapelia discoursed of births natural and unnatural; there is somewhat more, not like these, but often with them, and without them, which Physicians call a Mola, but you call it a false Conception: I pray, Mrs. therefore, what is that Mola, or false Conception?  
Mid. A Mola, Sir is a hard, inform tumorfull of pores, (like so many ugly eyes) scarce to be cut by a knife, of a stony substance to touch, and round, appearing sometimes at the entrance of the Womb, sometimes over the whole Womb, and is thought (by very Learned Doctors) to be begotten by the woman herself without the help of a man, (though some affirm it cannot be without the seed of the man.) and therefore inanimate, because not generated by two; without the help of a man (I say) by the force of her own seed, mixing itself with much menstruous blood, retained in the Womb, which by immoderate heat is changeth into the shape of flesh, and that altogether unnatural, as is the stone in the bladder, and in the fingers of gouty persons, etc.  
Dr. Well, Mrs, since 'tis so (tell me, I pray, wherein it differs from a true Conception?  
Mid. It may, Sir, be like a true Conception in three respects, yet differ in six. As first, 'Tis true that a false conception stoppeth the monthly terms as doth the true.  
Secondly, The belly also doth swell, and the breasts grow big.  
Thirdly, There is an alteration both in the colour and appetite; but yet they differ in these six following ways; as,  
First, A false conception hath no ordinary nor periodical motion, neither doth it stir from side to side, except it be pressed.  
Secondly, In a false conception the belly is harder, and the feet are much more swelled.  
Thirdly, The woman is more heavy and unweeldy, and not so nimble as with a true conception.  
Fourthly, The breasts swell not so much as in a true conception.  
Fifthly, The whole body grows soft, and consumes away in a false conception.  
Sixthly, a false conception may be moved in three months, but the Child stirreth not till after three months, or usually in the fourth month: And again, the birth of an Infant never exceeds the eleventh month, whereas a false conception may continue for fourteen years, or as long as they live.  
Moreover, there may be a Tympany caused by air included in the Womb. Or else there may be a Dropsy, by reason of the many humours contained in the Womb, both which may give a false supposition of being with Child; but these also are easily distinguished from a false conception. A Tympany may be moved from place to place, but not the other: A Tympany will sound, if lightly strucken, but not the other: and a Dropsy, caused by those many humours as aforesaid, will show some marks, being depressed with the fingers, whereas a Mola is hard, and yieldeth not to the pulsation or depression of the fingers. And lastly, in both these most commonly the Thighs swell, but in a false conception or Mola the Thighs whither, and are lesser.  
Dr. Thus far have you extremely ingeniously, Mrs. Eutrapelia expressed yourself concerning a Mola; and now you have done, I pray you give me leave to lay you down my sentiments concerning both a Mola, and a false conception and the safest and best way to draw them forth of the Womb with safety.  
First of all then Mrs. you must know that there are several sorts of great bellies belonging to Women, as hath been said before; there are your natural big bellies which contain a living Child, and those may be called true ones, and others unnatural, or against nature, in which, in lieu of a Child, is engendered nothing but strange matters, as wind mixed with waters, which may be called dropsies of the Womb, and false conceptions, and Moles or Membranes full of blood and corrupted seed; for which reason they are called false great bellies.  
Now you must know that among the signs of a true great belly, one is the stirring of the Child in the Womb; but here you are to observe that it is very fit we should be always careful not to be deceived, by what we feel to stir in the Womb; inasmuch as the Infant of itself, is endued with 2 sorts of motions in its Mother's Womb, that is to say, a total motion, and a partial motion; the total motion is when it removes the whole body, and that is when it moves only but one part at a time, as the Head, Arms, or Legs, all the rest of its body lying unmoved; now the Womb blown up in fits of the Mother, yea and some moles have, by accident, a kind of total motion, but never a partial one; for that motion of a mole is rather a falling down then otherwise, to wit, a motion by which heavy things do use to fall downwards: for a Woman who hath a mole of any considerable bigness, whatsoever side she turns herself to, her belly will fall the very self same way immediately, even like unto an heavy bowl.  
Then again you may remember that another sign of a great belly, was the stopping of the courses, and withal a little qualmishness, which is not always true, and women who daily use copulation are very often subject to be deceived hereby thinking that then they are with child, whenas indeed false conception shall cause you almost the same accidents as true ones, the which cannot easily be distinguished but by its consequences.  
For this false great belly is often caused by wind, which blows up and stretcheth out the womb, like a bladder, the which women often discharge with as much noise as if it came from the fundament; and sometimes 'tis nothing but water which is gathered there in such abundance, as some women have been known to void a pail-ful without any child, though they veryly believed they had been with child; Now your moles always proceed from some false conceptions which continuing in the womb grow there by the blood that flows to them and by the accumulation of which they are by little and little increased: and if the womb chance to expel it before 2 months, it may be called a false conception; and some of them are only but as it were the seed involved in a membrane, the others are alittle more solid and fleshy; resembling, in some sort, the Gizzard of a foul, and are greater or less according to the time they remain in the womb, and also according to the quantity of blood with which they are always soaked: and women expel these false conceptions sooner or later according as they cleave to the womb, the which makes them almost always to flood in great quantity at those times, but for your moles they often continue in the womb after the ordinary time of labour; some women having had them a whole year, yea many years, as happened to a certain Peuterors wife, of whom the great Chirurgeon Ambrose Parry makes makes mention in his book of generation, who had a mole 17 years, and at last died of it; for if they keep it so long they go in danger of their lives; for their long or short continuance is according as they are more or less adhering to the inward parts of the womb, and are there entertained and nourished by the blood that flows thither.  
And here I pray you note that it is of great importance to distinquish well betwixt a true and a false great belly; for the faults committed by a mistake are always very considerable: forasmuch as in a true great belly the child ought to continue in the womb till nature endeavours to expel it by a natural labour, but contrarily the false great belly dictates to us to procure the expulsion of what it contains as soon as may be, wherefore we ought to be very careful. And if there be any occasions wherein the Physicians and Surgeons and Midwives ought to be more prudent and to make more reflections upon their prognostics for an affair of so great an importance as this is, it is in this which concerns their judgements as to conceptions and women's being with child; to the intent that they may avoid the great accidents and misfortunes, which they may cause which are too precipitate in it without a certain knowledge. Now the faults which are and may be committed at such a time through too much fear, are in some sort excusable and to be pardoned, but not those caused by rashness which are incomparably greater.  
And now to return to my discourse of moles, I take a mole to be nothing else but a fleshy substance, without bones, or joints, or distinction of members; without form or figure, regulated and determined; engendered against nature in the womb, after copulation, out of the corrupted seed both of the man and the woman; notwithstanding there are some sometimes which have some lineamens' of a wrought form.  
And here I take it to be very certain that a woman never engenders a mole without the use of copulation, both seeds being required to it, as well as for a true generation, though it may be otherways imagined, as you said, by very learned Drs. for truly though there may be some women, who though never having carnally had to do with any man, yet do naturally cast forth some strange bodies, after a flooding, which in a appearance seems to be flesh; yet notwithstanding if you shall take more diligent and special notice thereof, you will find it to prove to be but some clods of blood coagulated, either without consistence or fleshy texture, or any ways membranous, as are your moles and false conceptions; and that stony hardness was caused through its long stay in the womb being there baked as in an hot oven.  
Now as to the manner of the engendering of moles I take it to be ordinarily this, that it is when either the man's or the woman's seed or both together are weak or corrupted, the womb not labouring for a true conception, but by the help of the spirits with which the seed ought to be replenished; but so much the easier as that small quantity found in it is extinguished, and as it were choked, and drowned by an abundance of the gross and corrupted menstruous blood, which sometimes flows thither, soon after conception, and gives not leisure to nature to perfect, what she hath, with great pains, begun; and so troubling its work, bringing thither confusion and disorder, there is made of the seeds and blood; a mere Chaos, called a Mole, not usually engendered but in the Womb of a Woman, and never or very rarely found in that of other animals, by reason that they have no menstruous blood as a woman that divine creature hath.  
A mole, moreover you are to note, hath no burden, nor navil-string fastened to it, as a child's always hath, for as much as the mole itself sticks close to the womb, by which means it receives nourishment from its vessels, it is also likewise usually clothed with a kind of skin, in which is form a piece of flesh confusedly interlaced with many Vessels; it is of a bigness and consistence more or less according to the abundance of blood it receives, and according to its disposition, and also according to the temperature of the Womb, and the time it remains there. For the most part there is but one, yet sometimes there are more, whereof some cleave very strongly to the Womb, others very slightly: if women miscarry of them before the 2d Month, as I said before, they are called false Conceptions; and when they keep them longer, and that this strange body gins to grow bigger, than they are called Moles: and here you must know that your false Conceptions are more Membranous, and sometimes full of corrupted Seed, but your Moles are altogether fleshy; they cleave to the Womb almost always, and are sustained by the blood, with which it is always furnished, just as plants are by the moisture of the Earth. Sometimes there is a Child together with a Mole, from which it is sometimes divided and sometimes cleaving to its body, which puts it in great danger of being Monstrous or mishaken, because of the Compression which this strange body causeth to the little Infant, as yet being but very tender.  
Thus having at large given you my Opinion concerning Moles and false Conceptions, their causes signs and differences; there remains now nothing more concerning this matter, to be demonstrated, but the manner how they ought to be drawn forth of the Womb.  
And now seeing that these things contained in the Womb, are wholly unnatural, their expulsion must be procured as soon as possible may be, the which is very difficult to be performed, when these strange Bodies cleave so fast to the Womb, and especially the Mole; therefore to avoid the abundance of accidents and inconveniences, as near as may be, that these unnatural things will produce, they must be endeavoured to be expelled as soon as may be; and for the Mola you must, before you come to the Manual Operation, try if by any means you can to cause the Woman to expel it of herself; to the which purpose you are to administer to her strong and sharp clysters, to stir up throws, for to open the Womb to give way to it; moistening also and loosening the Womb, with softening Ointments, Oils and Grease, not omitting bleeding in the foot, if there be occasion: Now the Mole will certainly be excluded by these means, provided it be but of an indifferent bigness, or that it cleave but very little or not at all to the Womb; but if it shal● stick strongly to the bottom of the Womb▪ or that it be very big, the Womam wil● hardly be rid of it without the help of a Physician, Chirurgeons or Midwife's hand; i● which case after that you have placed th● Woman conveniently, as if you were to fetch a dead Child, then slide up your hand into the Womb, and therewith draw forth the Mole; but if it be so big that it cannot be brought forth whole, then 'tis wholly the man's work; who for this purpose use your crotchet or knife, but this is very rare, because it is of a tender soft substance, much more pliable than a Child's; but if you find it be only joined to the Womb, and close fastened, you must separate it gently with your finger's ends, your Nails being paired, by putting them by little and little, between the Mole and the Womb, beginning on that side where it doth not stick so fast to the Womb, and so pursuing it until it be quite loosened; being mighty careful, if you find it grow to too fast, of rending or bursting the proper substance of the Womb, and proceeding as hereafter I shall speak of for the extraction of a Burden staying behind in the Womb when the string is broken off.  
For these same Moles never have any string fastened to them, nor any burden from whence they should receive their nourishment, but they do of themselves immediately draw their nourishment from the Vessels of the Womb, to which they are almost always joined and sticking in some place: and as for the substance of their flesh, 'tis also much more hard than that of the burden; and sometimes Schyrrhous, which is the cause why it is difficult to be separated from the Womb.  
As to a false Conception, although it be much less than a Mole yet it often puts a woman in hazard of her Life, by reason of great fluddings, which very often happens, when the Womb would discharge itself of it, and endeavours to expel it, the which seldom cease till it be come away, because it doth continually endeavour to exclude it, whereby the blood is excited to flow away, and in a manner squeezed out of the open Vessels.  
Now the safest and best way and remedy for a Woman in this case is to fetch away the false Conception, as soon as may be, because the Womb can very hardly avoid it of its own nature without artificial help; for it being very small, the Woman's impulse in bearing downwards cannot be so effectual when the Womb is but little distended by so small a body, as when it contains a considerable bulk in it, for than it is the more strongly compressed with the throws. Many times 'tis very difficult to fetch away these false Conceptions because the Womb doth not open and dilate itself, ordinarily, beyond the proportion of what it contains, and that being but very little so is its opening; which is the reason why the Midwife is sometimes so far from introducing her whole hand, that she can scarce get in a few Fingers, with which she will be obliged to finish the Operation, as well as she may or can, by proceeding in the following manner, when she hath introduced them.  
Having then very well anointed her hand, she must slide up the neck of the Womb into the inward Orifice, the which she will find sometimes to be but very little dilated, and then very gently put in one of her Fingers, the which she must presently turn and bend on every side, until that she hath made way for a second, and afterwards for a 3d or more if it may be done without violence; but many times she hath enough to get in but 2, between which she must take hold of the false Conception (as Crabs do with their claws, when they fasten upon any thing) and then she must gently draw it forth, as also the clodded blood which she there shall find; and then afterwards undoubtledly the fludding will cease, if no part of the Conception be left behind: but if the inward Orifice cannot be more dilated then to admit of one Finger, and that the fludding is so violent as to endanger the Woman's life; then is matter and manner to be wholly committed to care and artful industry of the skilful Physician or Chirurgeon.  
Mid. Now Sir, having discoursed so learnedly of these things, let us in the next place if you please, discourse of the Afterbith.   

SECT. XXXIV. Of the Secundine, or Afterburden, and the best and safest way to draw it forth.  
DR. Come then, Mrs. if you please, tell me what the Secundine is.  
Mid. The Secundine is that in which the Infant lieth in the Womb, and may be called a second house, or covering, made by the Womb for a receptacle of the Infant; and it hath with it three membranes; but how Physicians name them, I know not.  
Dr. I will inform you then, if you please, with their names and uses; and describe them to you in these two figures following, which are explained by letters also, as may appear.   depiction of the secundine or afterbirth 


The Explanation of the first Figures  
BBB Signifies that part of the Secundine called the Chorion, which is the prop of all the Vessels of the young one.  
CCC Denotes the branches of the Umbilical Veins and Arteries dispersed through the Chorion.  
EEE The Membrane called Amnios', and is the thinnest of all the Membranes, and is white, soft, and shining, with few (and those very small) Veins and Arteries dispersed among the folds; and this is the very next coat to the Infant, and is the receptacle for sweat and Urine; that Membrane called Allantois not to be found in men, though an Vrachus may be found.  
DD Denotes all the Vessels meeting about the Navel, by which the Infant is nourished.     depiction of the newly born baby before the navel string, or umbilical cord, is cut 
Chorion  
Amnios  


P. Q Denotes the Membrane called Amnios', and is the first that involveth the Infant.  
RRRR The Liver, or cake of the womb, or after-burden, by which the Infant receives nourishment, and this is fastened to the Womb.  
SS The inward and outward Veins.  
m. m. m. The Umbilical vein, with its branches dispersed into the after-burden, by which the Child is nourished, and upon which it lieth, as upon a pillow, though in the Amnios it swimeth as in a bath.  
W How all the Vessels meet about the Navel.  
b. b.b Denotes the Infant newly born, annexed to the secundine, the Navil-string not cut.    
Dr. You see, Mrs. these Figures, with their uses and explanation; I shall now discourse more particularly of the membranes themselves. The after-burden, commonly called the secundine, is so named, either because it is as it were a second place, mansion, and receptacle of the Infant from the Womb; or else, because this Membrane is called the afterbirth, or second birth, as coming forth after the Infant, which, if it stay behind, brings great mischief, as shall be spoken to at the latter end of this Treatise and Section.  
The first membrane is called Amnios, and this membrane covers the Infant from the head to foot; insomuch, that part of it sticks to the head of the Infant when it is born, which they call a helmet, though not always, being left behind with the secundine in difficult labours: this is so called from its softness and thinness; others resemble it to white Paper, or a shirt, and is the thinnest of all, in which is found great plenty of humours, caused of urine and sweat, in which the Infant swimeth as in a bath, and lieth so easy and secure, lest it should fall foul against those neighbouring parts that are harder; and besides that, when the membrane is broken in the birth, this water breaking out, may make the passages by the neck of the Womb more plain and slippery for the Infant; and this membrane also is every where included within the second, which is called Chorion, because it wraps the Infant like a ring; and this immediately compasseth the former, to which it is joined as it were in a round figure, like to a cake, whose inward and hollow part it covers and involves, and doth extend itself to its dimensions, and can scarce be separated from it, but doth firmly knit and bear up the vessels of the afterburden, which immediately sticks to the womb by a certain fleshy mass that is form, being round, and of somewhat a ruddy colour, not compassing the whole infant, by reason of innumerous springs of veins and atteries by which the blood is interwoven, as if it were poured in, and by which the infant is nourished. This towards the infant is smooth, but that part which is towards that fleshy round mass, is rougher.  
This round fleshy substance is called the liver of the womb, or the cake of the womb; which, having such a substance as the liver hath, no wonder if it should make and prepare blood for the nourishment of the infant. On that side towards the womb it is rough, and unequal, like clefts in a baked cake; and being cut in this part, it showeth an infinite company of hairs, which, if you trace, they will bring you to the orifice of the veins themselves. And, although there be twins, or more, yet there is but one cake; for into one cake so many navel strings are inserted (in divers places) as there are young ones; though it may differ as to the bigness, according to the body and condition of the infant, yet the ground is still the same in the diameter. This serves as a support of the umbilical vessels, like a pillar; it is also called the secundine. The third is called Allantoides; 'tis a coat betwixt the Chorion and Amnios; 'tis very thin, weak, and narrow; it covers but half the young one: this is properly like a swath or girdle; and some say it is the receptacle of urine; but it being not to be found in mankind (there may be an Vrachus found instead of it) I say no more of it.  
Dr. These are the opinions of Physicians, good Mrs. Eutrapelia that have written of these things; now if you please I will tell you candidly and freely what my opinion is concerning these things.  
As soon as the 2 seeds have been confusedly mixed and retained by conception, the Womb immediately after, by means of its heat, separates this Chaos, to make out thereof the delineation and formation of all the parts, and gins to work upon these Seeds, which though to the sight they may appear of a like nature and uniform, notwithstanding in effect they contain many dissimilar parts in them, which it separates and distinguisheth one from another, enclosing the noblest, and on the outside the most glutinous, of which first are form the Membranes, to hinder the Spirits, wherewith the frothy Seeds abound, from being at that time dissipated, and afterwards to serve to contain the Infant and the waters therein, in the midst whereof it swims that they may not stream away.  
Now as the Membranes of the Infant are the first part form, so are they with the waters, the first that present themselves to the passage in time of labour, before the Infant's head.  
Concerning these Membranes and the descriptions most Authors have made of them, I find them to be so dark therein that methinks 'tis an hard matter to conceive them, as they are, by the explication they make of them: for in the first place they do not agree in the number of them, some accounting 3, as well for a Child as a Beast, to wit the Chorion the Amnios and the Alantoides; Others accounting but 2, because there is no Alantoides in an humane fetus.  
But if this matter shall be strictly examined, as hath been often done, there will never be found any more than 2, the which being so closely joined the one to the other, they may be said to be but a double one, the which indeed may be divided and separated into 2, and this I will explain, to you and others, on such a manner, as may be best understood by such as are ignorant of this matter; For there are many who think with Galen that these Membranes are separate and distant, the one from the other, and that the one surrounds only the Infant, and the other receives the waters, the which are partly engendered from sweat, and partly from the Urine, as they imagine; and believe farther that these waters themselves are separated the one from the other, by these Membranes: the which is quite contrary, for they are joined so close the one to the other, that they compose as it were but the same body and invelloper, the which serves as we have said, to contain the Infant with the waters, which are all of a nature, and shut up in the Membranes, as I shall make appear in speaking of their original; but it matters not as to the truth after what manner this be explained, provided it may be understood as it is.  
The outward part then of this Membrane or double covering, or involver, call it what you please, or if it be esteemed 2, the first Membrane presented without, is called Chorion from the Greek word Chorein, which signifies to contain, because it immediately environs the other, which is called Amnios, that is a little lamb, because 'tis to small and thin. Galen, in his 11th book of the use of the parts, calls the Burden Chorion. But to render this more intelligible we shall take this first Membrane for the Chorion, the which may again be separated into 2; though effectively it be but one. This Chorion is a little rough and unequal throughout the whole outside of it, in which many small captillary Vessels may be observed running quite round, as also many little strings by which it cleaves to every side of the Womb: but it is a little more smooth within, where it joins every where, and unites with the Amnios, in such a manner, as it appears, as we said, but as one and the same Membrane. This Chorion covers the placenta and cleaves close to the fore part of it, which respects the Infant, by means of the interlacing of an infinity of Vessels, and 'tis also principally fastened to the Womb by the whole circumference of the placenta, in which part this Membrane is a little thicker.  
Then the Amnios, which is the 2d Membrane is 3 times thinner than the Chorion, and is within very smooth, but not just so much where 'tis joined to the Chorion, This Membrane is so thin that 'tis quite transparent, and hath no Vessels in it, the which makes it so thin, as cannot be imagined without seeing. This Amnios' doth no ways touch the placenta, though it covers it, but it only lines all the inner part of the Chorion, which is between, and from which it may be wholly separated if it be done with care.  
The better to conceive this as it is, and after what manner these Membranes are in the Womb, consider the composition of a football; imagining the leather which covers it to be the Womb of a pregnant Woman, and the bladder blown up with wind, within the football, to be this double Membrane of the Chorion and Amnois, in which are contained together the Child and the waters; and even as the outside of this bladder toucheth every where, because 'tis blown up, the leather of the football; so in like manner the Membranes of the fetus are joined on all sides to the Womb; except where the burden cleaves to it, in which place it passeth above it.  
As to the 3d or rather pretended Membrane which Authors call Alantoides, and say 'tis like, a sausage or girdle which surrounds and clothes the Infant from the sword-like gristle to just below the flanks only; 'tis very certain there never was any such thing in any of those Animals whose dams have but one young at a time, no more than Women, as Sheep, Cows, Mares, Asses, nor any other for aught could ever be learned from many curious inquiries.  
Sometimes Infants, at their birth, bring forth these Membranes upon their head, and then 'tis said they will be fortunate: which is a mere kind of superstition, because it happens from the strength of their substance, so that they cannot break by the impulse of the waters, or the women's throws in Labour, or because the passages being very large, and the Infant very little, it passeth easily without any violence: and in this respect they may be said to be fortunate, in being born so easily, and the mother also for being so speedily delivered: For in difficult Labours Children are never born with such caps, because being tormented and pressed in the passage, these Membranes are broken and remain still there.  
Within the Infant's Membranes, thus disposed as I have said, are the Waters contained, in the midst whereof it swims, and is seated; the original of which seems very incertain, if we regard the different opinions of Authors upon this subject, some will have them to be the Urine emptied out of the Bladder by the Vrachus, because they cannot find the true and easy way for it, and because their colour and savour much resembles the Urine contained in the Bladder. But 'tis very certain that it cannot be so as they aver; because the Vrachus is not perforated in the fetus, and it comes not forth of the Navel; for the place where 'tis fastened, is always very like a small Lutestring, through which it is most certain nothing can pass though never so subtle.  
There are others also that will have these waters to be the Urine; but they are of an opinion that it passeth through the Yard whose passage is always open, and not by the Vrachus which is never hollow.  
Now for my part as it appears to me, with more reason, and as indeed it is, these waters are only generated out of vaporous humidities, which sweat out and exhale continually out of the Infant's body, and meeting these Membranes through which they cannot pass, because they are too thick and close, are turned into water, which is thus by little and little collected, as well during the first months of Conception, the Child not yet quick, as all the remaining part of the time, after it is quick; for vapours pass forth and exhale out of all porous bodies that are hot and moist, as is that of an Embryo; and the reason is very weak by which they maintain these waters to proceed from the Urine, because they are salt as the urine is; For sweat, tears, and other humours which distil and sweat out of the body are as well salt as the Urine; of which the Infant whilst it is in the Womb, cannot have much, no more than dung in the Guts; because it receives no nourishment at the mouth at that time, & that all its superfluous humours may easily pass away by transpiration, through the substance of all the parts of its body, which is very tender; wherefore I cannot conceive any necessity to oblige them more to empty the Urine, which is in a small quantity in the Bladder, than the excrements which are in the Guts, which is not then done in any manner, but only after the Child is born. Bartholinus and others would have the Infant however to empty its Urine through its Yard, and that these waters proceed from thence; but there is a greater probability it should be vented by transpiration; for before it is yet fully shaped and quick, there is notwithstanding found a proportionable quantity of these waters to the bigness of its body: which makes it appear that it is then neither the Urine rendered by the Vrachus nor Yard, as all the World imagine; and that which proves it more plainly is the example of some Children born with their Yards imperforated, who notwithstanding have these waters, whilst in the Womb,  
And here it must be observed that when there is more than one Child, they are never in the same Membrane, unless their bodies are joined together, which is rare and monstrous, but each have their Membranes and waters, apart.  
Now these waters thus collected within these Membranes have divers very considerable uses; First, They serve the Infant to move more easily, as it were by swimming from one side to the other, and that it may not hurt the Womb by its frequent motions in striking dry against it, which would cause great pain, and often excite to Abortion; and they serve also very much to facilitate its passage in the birth making the way very slippery, and by that means the orifice of the Womb being moistened is better widened and yielding when they break, just when the Child is ready to follow, or a little before: for else remaining dry it is born with greater difficulty and the Mother also more tormented by it.  
And now Mrs. Eutrap. having thus sufficiently as I hope, explained the Membranes of the fetus, and the waters contained in them. I think it may not be amiss to say something, in order of enquiring after the parts by which it is nourished whilst in the Womb: and and here Mrs. Eutrap. since, as was said in the beginning that it is only nourished by its Mother's blood; and that I am of opinion that bigbellied Women have none that is fair or good; provident nature hath form the placenta to serve it for a Magazine, that it may always have sufficient, and be there again elaborated and perfected, to render it more convenient for its nourishment; for without doubt so gross a blood as the Mothers cannot possibly be converted into its substance, if it were not first purified in the placenta, which is afterwards sent to it by means of the umbelical veins and brought back, as we shall show hereafter, by the Arteries, which are the conduits of which the Navil-string is composed. We say then that the placenta is nothing but a spongy and fleshy mass somewhat like the substance of the spleen, woven and interlaced with an infinite number of Veins and Arteries, which compose the greatest part of the body, made to receive the Mother's blood appointed for the Infant's nourishment.  
This mass is so called, because it resembles a cake, also it may be called the delivery, because being come forth after the Child is born the Woman is quite delivered of her burden, it is also called the afterburthen, because it is as a 2d Labour, of which the Woman is not discharged till after the Child be born: some give it the name of liver of the Womb, because they say it serves as a liver, to prepare the blood appointed for the Infant's nourishment, and Laurentius calls it the sweet bread of the Womb, and appoints it the same use, as that of the lower belly, to wit for a rest and support to the Vessels of the Navel which disperseth an infinite number of branches throughout all its substance.  
Now this placenta is made of the menstruous blood of the Mother, which flows into the Womb, by the accumulation of which it is form; its shape is flat and round, about the bigness of a Trencher, and 2 fingers breadth thick about the middle, where the umbilical Vessels are fastened, but is thinner towards the edges. It is covered with the Chorion and Amnios on the side next the Infant, and on the other side 'tis joined and fastened to the bottom on the inside of the Womb; It is strongest fastened to the Womb (with its circumference) by the Chorion, which cleaves so close to it by the interlacing of an infinity of Vessels, which appear very large in its surface, that it cannot be separated from it without tearing its substance.  
Though there be 2 or 3 Children in the Womb begot in the same act, they have usually but one common afterburthen, which hath as many Navil-strings as Children, which are notwithstanding separated from one another by their several Membranes, in each being the Children and waters: but if they be superfetations there will be as many burdens as Children; and as superfetations happen but rarely, so there are few Women that have their burdens separated when they are delivered of several Children.  
We scarce find any Creature but a Woman that hath an Afterburthen, like this described, and dischargeth it as useless as soon as the Child is born; for most other Animals cast forth nothing after their young, except the waters only and some slimes with the skins which surround them, and in lieu of this fleshy mass, those which, as a Woman, have but one at a time, have only some cotyledones, or many spongy kernels joined inwardly to the proper substance of their Womb, which terminates all the branches of the umbelical Vessels of their Young; which Kernels as I have often observed in cutting up Sheep, when they were not with young, are not bigger than hempseed; but when they were with young, they swelled as big as one thumb, one bigger, and one lesser; and then they resembled the Figure of a round mushroom, on the outside, not yet spread after it's cut from its stalk; and to each of these kernels, are fastened the branches of the umbilical Vessels: however those that have more than one at a time, as Bitch's, Rabbits, etc. have no kernels; instead of which each young hath in its celule a kind of particular placenta, which the dam eats as soon as she voids it, after she hath knawn off the umbilical Vessels that hold it. But these thing being fit for Physicians and Chirurgeons to be contemplated on, I shall proceed no farther to discourse thereon; and shall only desire you to note, that those Vessels appointed for the nouriture of the fetus are bigger than they are in Men, because of their hollowness, and as soon as the Child is born, dry up, and that part of them which is without the belly falls off, and is separated close to the Navel 5 or 6 days after; for which reason they lose their first use, and begin after to degenerate into suspending ligaments, to wit, the vein into that of the liver, and the 2 Arteries serve to extend and sustain the bladder, by the side, where they are joined to it; the bottom of which is yet suspended by the Vrachus, which comes not through the Navel, as hath been said, but remains so pendent all the rest of its life: and now Mrs. I come to know how you use to fetch away the afterburthen, with the string and when 'tis broken.  
Mid. That I shall freely do Sir, withal my heart; and therefore Sir you must note that the afterbirth being a useless thing to the Woman when the Child is born, she must immediately after be freed of that also; wherefore as soon as the Child is born, before I do so much as tie or cut the Navil-string, lest the Womb close, I must without time looseing ease the Woman of this fleshy mass; To perform which having taken the string, I must wind it once or twice about one or 2 of her fingers of her left hand joined together, the better to hold it, with which she may then draw it moderately, and with her right hand she may only take a single hold of it about the left, near the Privities, drawing likewise with that very gently, resting the while the fore finger of the same hand stretched forth along the string towards the entry of the sheath of the Womb, as may be seen in the annexed Figure, always observing, for the more facility, to draw it from the side where the burden cleaves least, for in so doing the rest will separate the better; as we see a card which is glued to any thing is better separated from the place where it gins to part then where it is close joined. But above all things care must be had that it be not drawn forth with two much violence, lest breaking the string near the burden, I be obliged to put up my whole hand into the Womb, to deliver the Woman; or that the Womb, to which it is very strongly fastened sometimes be not drawn forth with it; or a very great flooding be caused: wherefore for these reasons it shall be gently shaken and drawn forth by little and little, and to facilitate the better its expulsion, the Woman may the whilst blow strongly into her hands shut, as one does into the mouth of a bottle, to know if it be broke; or put her finger into her Throat, as if she would cause vomiting, or strive as if she were going to stool; bearing always down and holding her breath as she did to bring forth her Child; and if after all this I meet with difficulty, you may, if need be, after you know on which side it is seated, desire an experienced Nurse keeper to press the belly lightly with her flat hand, directing it gently downwards by way of chaffing, not too boisterously.  
But if all this be in vain than I must direct my hand into the Womb; to separate it, as you shall hear anon.  
Then I must consider if there be all, and take care that the least part remain not, not so much as the skirts, or any clods of blood; and this is the way to deliver a woman of her afterbirth; but sometimes the Midwife by endeavouring it breaks the string by pulling too strongly, or because 'tis very weak; or else so putrified when the Child is dead that the least pull breaks it off close to the burden, the which by that means is left behind in the Womb, or because it cleaves to strongly, or the Woman is weak, and cannot expel it, being much tired by a long Labour, or because it was speedily drawn forth after Labour, the Womb closeth so as it leaves it no passage, and cannot without much difficulty be dilated to fetch it away, because it remains dry after the natural slime and humidities are past: and seeing that if it remain behind 'tis capable of destroying the Woman, we must see to get it away as before, and if the Navil-string happen to break near the burden, I must immediately introduce my hand into the Womb before it close, being anointed with oil or fresh butter, to separate it from the Womb gently and draw it forth with the clods of blood that remain. When the Navel string is not broken, it will easily conduct the hand, but when 'tis we have no longer this guide; wherefore I must be then very careful that I be not deceived in taking one part for another; as I once saw a Midwife pull the Womb near the inward orifice in lieu of the burden.  
Assoon then as I have introduced my hand into the Womb towards its bottom, I shall find the burden which I shall know by a great number of little inequalities, which are always made there, by the roots of the umbilical Vessels, on the side where they terminate, which makes it to be easily distinguished from the Womb; if it yet cleave to it, notwithstanding 'tis then a little wrinkled and uneven; because its Membranes which were very much enlarged contract themselves immediately after the Child and its waters which kept them extended are excluded, and they that are expert can easily judge of it.  
Now if I find the burden wholly loosened from the Womb, it will be easy to draw it forth, when I have got it into my hands, but if it cleaves, finding the side to which it sticks least, I must begin there to separate it gently, by putting some of my Fingers betwixt it and the Womb; continuing by little and little to do so, till it be quite lose, and then draw it forth very carefully; observing the whilst, if it cannot be otherwise, rather to leave some part thereof behind, than to scrape or scratch the least part of the Womb, for fear of a flooding, inflammation, or Gangrene, which cause death; being also careful not to draw it forth, till it be wholly or the most part of it separated, for fear of drawing forth the Womb with it, and to preserve it as whole as these cautions will permit, because of showing it to the company, that they may know I have performed my office well.  
But if the Midwife shall not find the Womb open enough to direct her hand immediately into it, let her presently anoint the Woman's Privities with hog's grease then by little and little put up her hand, and let the Woman contribute as before; but if for all this she cannot void the Afterbirth, to avoid a greater mischief I must leave it to nature, assisting her with remedies which suppurate: wherefore injections into the womb are proper, made of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, and Linseed, in which is to be mixed a good quantity of Oil of Lilies or fresh butter; and to hasten the work give her a strong Clyster, that so by the Motions to go to stool, it may cause it to be voided, as it hath arrived to many that have rendered it in the Bed-pan; and sometimes when they have lest expected it.  
At the same time, to prevent a Fever or many other accidents which usually happen, she may be let blood in the Arm or Foot, according as it shall be convenient; and strengthened, that the cadaverous vapours coming from the putrefaction of the burden ascend not to the heart and noble parts, which must be done by good cordials often used, not such as are made of Treacle and Mithridate, etc. for which no reason can be given, but their specific, or rather imaginary Faculties, and are fit to cause vomiting, then comfort the heart: But with true Cordials which are such as yield good nourishment, and at the same time comfort the stomach, without offending it, as those drugs do which are only good for those that sell them.  
Wherefore I must order her good broths and jellies; and to drink Orengade or Limonade, or to put some Syrup of Lemons in her refreshing Liquors; or if she be free from a Fever a little wine and water mixed; which is the best and most natural of all Cordials. Besides other remedies must be provided, according to the accidents that happen by reason of the staying behind of the burden; always remembering to bring it away as soon as possible, for as long as it stays in the Womb the woman feels great pains continually, almost like them before her Child was born; and until the whole be voided, the pains will still be repeated although in vain, unless the matter be well disposed before; but the lesser the piece is of the retained burden, the more difficult 'tis many times to be expelled; because the impulse, the woman can make by helping her throws, are not so great, when the matter contained in the Womb is small, as when 'tis of a considerable bigness; for then 'tis more strongly thrust and compressed; which is the reason why a woman miscarries with greater difficulty than when brought to bed at her full time.  
And here you must know there are divers Midwives, who having broken the Navil-string as before said, leave their work imperfect; and commit the rest to nature's work; but very often the poor woman dies, because of the great mischiefs which usually happen before the suppuration of the burden so retained: The which to avoid when they meet with the like case, I would advise them to fetch it away, as I have directed: or if they find themselves uncapable to do it, because the hand must be put up into the Womb, which is more properly the work of a Physician or Chirurgeon, expert in those cases; then let them immediately send for one, that so he may be able, before the Womb closeth to introduce his hand, for the longer 'tis deferred the more difficult will the work be.  
Dr. Hitherto very well Mrs. Eutrap. have you expressed your knowledge and experience in your Art even from the first generation and formation of the Child in the Womb to the bringing of it safely forth into the world; But yet good Mrs. Eutrapelia, there are divers Women that will many times be ask you your advice concerning other distempers that usually attend them, both before Childbirth, as Barrenness etc. and also after they are delivered of their Child, both inward and outward, because their modesty prompts them, rather to come to you than to the Physician or Chirurgeon; therefore I would have you to let me know how far your skill and knowledge extends as to these matters; because that if you should at any time be mistaken in your measures in the cure of any of those diseases, I shall freely and candidly assist you with the best of my directions to set all right and straight, as they say, and in good order.  
Mid. Honoured Sir, I am so extremely obliged to you, for this kind offer that I know not which way to express my acknowledgement, and I shall most readily answer your request, and therefore shall first begin with a discourse of Barrenness.    

PART. II.  

SECT. I. Of Barrenness and the several kinds thereof.  
MId. BArrenness is, 1. Natural, 2. Unnatural, 3. Accidental.  
Natural is when the instrument of Generation being perfect in both Sexes, no unlawful or unskilful means used to cause it, yet the Woman remains naturally Barren, neither Age or Diseases, or natural defect hindering, yet she Conceives not.  
The reason of this may be 1. When both Sexes are of a Complexion; 2. Want of Love, a 3d may be the letting Virgins blood i'th' Arm, before their Courses come down; or other ill administration of internal and external remedies. 4. A loss of carnal Copulation; when Sexes come to the School of Venus, either not at all, or so coldly, that as good never a whit, as ne'er the better; and this is from a cold Distemper, and is cured by such things as heat and nourish.  
2. Unnatural, that is diabolical, to prevent which Authors have left several ways, as to carry the Herb St. John's wort about them, which is called a driver away of Devils, or a Plaster thereof applied to the Reins, with many others.  
3. Accidental, which comes by some casual infirmity upon the body of either Sex at a time, the which being taken away the effect ceaseth: 'tis sometimes from the Man, but most commonly from the Woman; for Man's instruments of Generation being perfect, and he in health, I know no accidental cause in him; And the chief cause in Women lies in her Womb; as the stopping of the flowers, or overflowing; the Flux of the Womb, its falling down, inflammation, windiness, heat and dryness; in all which I shall be brief, because if there be difficulty, you are to have recourse to the learned Physician.  
1. Then the Terms stop, 1. Naturally, 2. Unnaturally; they stop naturally in some about the 50th year, in some before, rarely till 55. the unnatural cause is, 1. much exercise, 2. in fat Women the Veins are narrow and blood turns to fat, 3. by long sickness, 4. when they have the piles in lieu of their Terms, 5. a hot or cold distemper of the Womb, 6. care, fear, grief, etc. I shall speak here only of the 5th for causes of the last being taken away the effect ceases; and the rest the ingenious Midwife will remedy. Now seeing these stops come usually from default of the Womb, the best way to help it is by strengthening the Womb, first than you shall prepare your way; if there be occasion let blood i'th' the foot, if she be not full of humours, if she be, then in the Arm first, which I have most commonly known to do alone: then if need be give her a draught of White-wine wherein an handful of Centaury or stinking Arach hath been boiled; and if there be a pain in the head add an handful of Verven; or some Parsley roots, Fennel, or Lowage, etc. not forgetting in fullness of humours to purge with half a dram of Extractum Rudii, and as much Pil. Mastichinae mixed, made into 12 Pills, whereof take 3 at Night going to bed, or after her first sleep.  
2. The Terms overflow, 1. when they continue longer than their usual time, which is 2 or 3 days, in Women that use no exercise 4 or 5 days, 2. when they come oftener than once a month, the cause is 1. a Rupture of some Vessel, 2. immoderate purgation, 3. some corroding humour, 4. hard Labour in Childbed, or unkind handing the Womb: if the Vessels be broken, blood gusheth out in heaps, and if from some knawing humour, they are few but very painful; the rest are easily known. Let them abstain from exercise; then 1. anoint the reins with Oil of Roses, Myrtles or Quinces; then boil the roots of Tormentil, Cinquefoil, Yarrow, Knotgrass, Comfrey, dead Nettles, Solomon's Seal, Purslan, Shepherds-purse, red Roses, acorn Cups, bark of Oak Trees, some of these, in her ordinary drink; or the juices of what can be had taken alone, and this above all, take Comfrey leaves or roots and Clowns alheal, of each an handful; bruise and boil them well in Ale, and drink of it now and then, this will do though the Vessels were open.  
3. Flux of the Womb, is a continual drooping from that part of the body; if it be red like putrified blood it comes from that humour; if white and pale, 'tis from Phlegm. if yellow, 'tis from Choler; if pure blood; as if a vein were opened either a knawing of the Womb, or tearing in delivery is feared. The cure differs as the cause, if pure blood flow, let blood i'th' arm, then use the Medicine last mentioned, of Comfrey roots and Woundworth; if phlegm be the cause, use Cinnamon in all meats and drinks, and Mithridate and Treacle for Antidotes, a little every Morning; take a scruple of Pills of Amber going to Bed for divers Nights; if from Choler, purge with syrup of Violets, and Cassia Fistularis of each an ounce; after take powder of Ivory and Missleto of the oak, of each one scruple, mixed with half an ounce of conserve of Roses; every Morning for a Week; if from putrified blood having first let blood i'th' Foot, then strengthen the Womb, as before: always forbearing violent motions and passions, and sharp and salted meats; and provokers of Urine: for dead Nettles there are three sorts, white, red, and yellow, the flowers of that colour, the white help the white, the red, the red, the yellow the yellow flux.  
4. The Womb fallen out is cured; if it be swelled by bathing it with a decoction of Mallows, Linseed and Fennigreek boiled in water, 2 or 3 times; and when 'tis got up let her keep her Legs close, or else tie them with a swath; apply stinking things to the Womb, as Assa Foetida, oil of Amber, her own Hair burnt; and let her smell of Civet, etc. the rest is before and after.  
5. The Womb is inflamed by many causes, a blow, stopping of the Terms, Abortion, Ulceration, Immoderate Lechery, overmuch walking; cold. For cure, strengthen the Womb first; then first clarify Whey and boil Plantain leaves or roots in it; and drink it, then inject the juice of Plantain into the Womb with a Syringe; if in Winter, when you cannot get the juice make a strong decoction of the leaves and roots in water; if the body be costive use a Clyster: and here note that in all Inflammations blood-letting is the chiefest remedy, first i'th' Arm, then if need i'th' Foot; if it be near the Neck of the Womb, make a pessary of wool and anoint it with unguent. album, or populeon, or mixed.  
6. The Womb is sometimes troubled with wind, which is cured as the fits of the Mother: and moistness of the Womb is cured as a flux of phlegm.  
7. Heat and dryness of the Womb is incident to Women of a Choleric complexion, is cured by cool and moistening herbs, of which stinking Arach is chief, neither are Plantain and Mallows much behind; milk is good for such to drink, first purging with an ounce of Cassia Fistula new drawn going to bed, and follow your business the next day.  
Dr. Thus far good, Mrs. Eutrap. but now hear me a little concerning this matter.  
All rational men know, that the generation of mankind, as also of other irrational Animals, is the most perfect, excellent and exquisite work of God's Vicegerent Nature; the which is most excellently, and elegantly demonstrated, and set forth by Aristotle, that great Secretary of Nature, in his second Book which he hath written of the Generation of living Creatures; for whereas it is impossible, by the decree of Nature, that any humane Creature should live always, or have an immortal Being in this World; much less should we imagine that should be granted to Bruits and other Souls of an inferior rank; therefore, for the continuance and propagation of each sort, it hath otherwise ordained, that during the continuance of this World, there should be likewise maintained a successive generation of both Sexes, by the Action of procreation; and from hence, after him, Galen the greatest Luminary of Physic next Hypocrates, says, that it comes to pass that Creatures are furnished with Instruments of Generation, proper for the quality of their Sex; and are consequently endued with natural Instincts prompting them to the use thereof: Therefore we shall at this time discourse of this wonderful operation of Nature; and endeavour, as far forth as our Talon will afford us, to seek out the causes that may hinder, and from thence prescribe means to remove them, and so consequently assist and further her in so miraculous a concern: and this partly upon our Dame nature's account, whose Servants only we are; and in the next place for the sakes of those Ladies, Gentlewomen and others, who are often disconsolate and dejected, upon their being accounted barren.  
Now than you must note that as conception hath some alliance with every part of the Body, as being undoubtedly concerned therein, so the same Conception may be quite abolished, diminished, or deprived as it happens in all other actions and motions of the body; so that if Conception be quite abolished in a Woman, in such sort that she can never be able to conceive; this affection is then called Barrenness; or such a Woman may be called a barren Woman, which you please. But if she Conceive sometimes, though seldom, here the Conceptive faculties may be said to be diminished; or weakened by some cause or other; and to this kind of diminished Conception may be referred untimely births, called Abortion; And lastly a depraved Conception is when in the Womb is contained some unnatural Conception, such as Monsters and Mola's, &c. The causes and remedies of all which it hath and shall be our duty to lay open to the Females Sex, according to the best of our skill and knowledge: first to the end we may further the propagation of humane kind, and secondly, that we make if possibly remove the reproaches laid upon Barrenness, which hath been in all ages, and continueth to this day and will do to end of the World; and than which there can hardly happen a greater defamation to the Female Sex. Insomuch as some like Rachel have cried out to their Husbands for Children; or else their Lives will lie on't, rather than endure the reproach of Barrenness, and some Women have preferred their maids to their Husbands, so that their Child might be reputed theirs, to take away the blemish of Barrenness; But you shall find but few Women of their minds now a days: so than we shall in the first place speak of the causes of this so odious and distateful a Disease, and then of their removing; for you know 'tis an old saying and true, take away the cause and the effect will consequently cease.  
Now the chief method of finding out all causes which do or may bring damage, to the faculties of the body, is no other than the knowledge of the means whereby these faculties perform their Actions, in the time of health and soundness of body. And whereas to the producing of any natural Conception there is a necessity of distinction of both Sexes and a conjunction and carnal Copulation of the Man and Woman, without which no Generation can be effected. As for that story of a certain Maids conceiving with Child by standing in a Bath, where some Man's seed had been cast, the Womb drawing it to it, as the Loadstone doth Iron, or Jet straw, it was either a miracle in Nature, or she so gave out to save her bacon; and so no ways belongs to our purpose, and having before declared the manner in other Sect. Therefore we shall here lay down the manifest causes of Barrenness from either Sex, so that neither may be unjustly blamed where they happen; for since the Women have, in this case a great interest, and damage too if the fault be in the Man; because they may often help their Husband's defect, and in so doing pleasure themselves, we shall not therefore omit to treat of the causes thereof which may happen to men; and moreover there being a necessity that both Sexes be furnished with fit and proper Instruments for the work of Generation, as the man with a Yard, etc. and a Woman with a Womb, etc. Then even reason will tell you, that if there chance to be any defect or dissaffection in nature in any of the Members, of either Sex, belonging to this work of Generation, the fruitfulness or Conception must necessarily be hindered, impaired, or quite and clear abolished.  
To begin then first with what belongs to the Man's side; one cause of Barrenness laid down by many Authors is the overmuch length of the Yard; by reason whereof the Seed is too much cooled in the passage before it can be injected home into the Womb. But though this be a somewhat probable and plausable reason; yet I am of opinion that it is but weak and will not hold water with those of greater reason; (for all Souls are not endued with a like proportion of reason;) for the Seed passing through the pipe of the Yard is kept hot enough, the generative Spirits at that time oft flocking to the Yard to assist it in so great a work; and the like being performed on the Woman's part, I cannot see how it can be any ways possible it should take cold in its journey; but on the contrary side it may be rationally imagined that the long Yard is most fit and commodious for Conception, by sending Seed to the inmost and furthermost parts of the Womb, and so most likely to be there retained, its due time.  
And now others on the contrary side will have the short Yard the cause of rendering Men unfruitful; and these I think have more reason on their side, because it cannot so well inject the Seed into the Womb, as you heard before; But indeed neither can this be a firm reason, for unfruitfulness in Man; since 'tis confirmed by experience that such an one hath begot Children likewise. But a greater reason of unfruitfulness in the man may be some viciousness or defect in his Yard; as if it be crooked, or if any of its Ligaments be writhed, or broken or bruised; whereby the passages through which the seed should flow be corrupt, stopped or vitiated; or some Disease or imperfection be either in the proper or Neighbour parts thereof.  
Another cause of Barrenness by defect of the Yard, is a too much weakness and tenderness thereof, it being not strongly enough erected to inject the Seed into the Womb.  
Then another cause in Men may be some vice in the Stones, as if they be oppressed with any Inflammation, or swelling, or wound, or ulcer.  
Also the Man may be Barren from his want of Seed, or if it be nought; as in the Running of the Reins or Venereal Disease, Gluttony or Drunkenness, etc. and then too frequent Carnal Copulation, is a cause of Barrenness, because it attracteth the Seedy moisture from the Stones before 'tis sufficiently prepared; and concocted, as all other members of the body, by institution of nature, use to draw their accustomed juice to themselves, so now if any one by daily Copulation draws out all the moisture of his Seed, then do the Stones draw the moist humours from the upper Veins to themselves, and so having but a little blood in them they are forced, of necessity to cast it out raw; and thus the stones being deprived of the moisture of their veins, draw the same from the upper veins, and the upper veins from all the parts of the body, for their proper nutriment, to the great damage of the body, robbing the same of the vital Spirits.  
It is therefore no wonder if those that use immoderate Copulation are very weak in their bodies, seeing the whole body is thereby deprived of its best and purest blood and vital Spirits; insomuch as those that have been too much addicted to that pleasure, have killed themselves in the Act; can it then be a wonder that such Seed is not fit for Generation?  
And having now shown the causes of Barrenness in Men, we shall now discourse of those in Women; Now the causes of Barrenness in Women proceed either from the Age, or evil temper of the Womb, and its vicious conformation, and parts depending on it, or the indisposition of the whole habit of the body; The evil form of the womb renders Women barren, according to the great Hypocrates, the Prince of all Physicians, as if the mouth or neck of the Womb be turned backwards towards the great Gut, or a side out of its place, contrary from the Privities; if it appear too big, or if it be fallen down before the Privities; to which may be added when 'tis so narrow that it cannot admit the Yard to enter, and when 'tis wholly, or in part closed by some inward or outward skin, which is very rare, if at all; or by a swelling collosity, or cicatrice, etc.  
But than it is not sufficient that the Man's Yard enter the Neck, which is the Antichamber to the Womb, for if in the act of Copulation, he knock at the door which is the inward orifice, and it be not opened, all is to no purpose; and this may likewise be hindered from opening, by some callosity proceeding from abundance of ill humours, which usually flow from the Matrix, or from some swelling which may happen to it, or also by some part which may so press it, that it cannot open to receive the Seed as the cawl doth in fat Women; according to Hypocrates, who says they cannot conceive till they grow lean.  
But the most frequent reason why this orifice opens not in this Act, to receive the seed, is the insensibility of some Women, who take no pleasure in the Venereal Act; but when they have an appetite, the Womb being covetous of the Seed opens itself to receive it.  
The same Hypocrates seems to have noted all the signs and causes of Barrenness from the evil temper of the Womb, when he saith in his 62 th' Aphorism, book 5. that all such Women whose Womb is cold and close, cannot conceive, nor they who have it too moist, because the Seed is extinguished in it; and likewise such who have it too dry and hot, because for want of aliment the seed corrupts; but such as are of a moderate temper are fruitful. Of all which in my opinion the most common is the cortinual moisture of the Womb fed by an abundance of the whites with which many are much inconvenienced, the humours of the whole dody being accustomed to steer their course this way, which can very hardly be turned away when inveterate, and the Womb being imbued with these vicious moistures, becomes inwardly so unctuous and slippery, that the seed though glutinous, cannot cleave to it; nor be retained within it, and that's the cause it slips away immediately, or shortly after 'tis received.  
Barrenness may also proceed from the whole habit, as when a Woman is too old, or too young; for the Seed of the young is not prolific, neither have they menstruous blood, both which are requisite to fruitfulness, and that of the aged is in small quantity and too cold, who likewise want menstruous blood; then, an universal distemper, though of convenient years, renders them Barren, as when they are Hectic, Dropsical, Sickly, etc. and especially so much the more as the whole parts are fallen from their temper and natural constitution. There are however many Women, which seem Barren for a long time, by reason of some of the aforementioned reasons, yea till 35 or 40 years old, and sometimes longer who yet at last conceive being cured of the distempers which hindered them, and having changed their temperament by their Age.  
Now some of these Barrennesses may be cured by removing their causes, and procuring the dispositions needful to fertility; yea of those proceeding from an universal intemperament by reducing their body, by a convenient regiment, to a good order, according to their respective dispositions. Wherefore if one have the Neck of the Womb narrow, and not from some of the causes abovesaid, she ought to be joined to a Man whose Yard is proportionable; and if that will not do, which happens very seldom, she must relax it, and open it with softening oils, and ointments; If it be compressed by any humour it must be resolved and suppurated, according to its nature and situation, having always a care to prevent the corruption of these parts which are very subject to it, being hot and moist; because the Womb serves, as a sink by which all the bad humours of the body are purged; so that you must take great care that these swell turn not to a Cancer.  
When the Neck is not clear by reason of any scar, after a rent, caused by some violence, or hard labour, or after an Ulcer which caused the two sides to be agglutinated, whether inwardly or outwardly it must be separated, which being the Surgeon's work, I here omit it.  
If the inward orifice of the Womb be displaced, it may be in some sort remedied by making the Woman observe a convenient posture in the act of Generation; and if the whites or other impurities of the Womb, cause Barrenness, they must be helped by evacuations, purgations, and a regular diet, concerning which the learned Physician is to be consulted.  
Mid. Thus far Sir, having heard your account of the signs and causes of Fertility and Sterility; I having heard learned men discourse of Superfetation; I would humbly entreat you Sir that you would please to let me hear your opinion about that matter.  
Dr. That you shall willingly good Mrs. Eutrapelia, and therefore I shall begin first to tell you what it is.   

SECT. II. Of Superfaetation.  
Dr. SVperfaetation according to the description of Hypocrates, is a repeated conception, that is when a Woman being already with Child, conceives again the 2 d time, now there is a great dispute about this; for we see daily Bitch's, Sows and Rabits, have divers young but with one Copulation, which may make us judge the same of a Woman; some will have this to be by Superfetation, but there are signs by which we may know the difference, whether both Children were begot at once, or one after the other. That which makes many believe there can be no such thing as superfetation, is because as soon as a Woman hath conceived, her Womb closeth firmly so that the Man's seed, absolutely necessary to conception, finding no place nor entry, cannot be received, nor contained in it, so as to cause this 2d conception. To this may be added, That a bearing Woman dischargeth her seed, which is as necessary as a Man's, by a Vessel which terminates on the side of the outward part of the inward Orifice; which seed by this means is shed into the Neck of the Womb, and not into the bottom; as it ought, for this purpose. However it may be said in answer, to these objections, which are very strong; that though the Womb be closed, etc. yet this general rule may have some exception; so that it may be sometimes opened to let pass some slimy excrements which by their stay offend it; or chief when a Woman is animated with an earnest desire of Copulation, in the heat of which action she sometimes dischargeth by the passage that terminates in the bottom of the Womb, which being opened by the impetuous endeavour of the seed, more than ordinarily overheated, and this Orifice being at the same time a little opened, if the Man's seed be darted into it at the same moment, 'tis thought a Woman may then conceive again. This may be confirmed by a story of a Servant related by Pliny, who having the same day copulated with two several Persons, brought forth two Children, the one resembling her Master, the other his Proctor: and also by a story of another Woman, who had two Children, one like her Husband and the other like her Gallant; but this different resemblance doth not always prove superfetation, because sometimes different imaginations may cause the like effect.  
The 2d Conception is effectively as sure, as we find the decision thereof uncertain; nor must we imagine that always when a Woman brings forth two Children, or more at once, there is a superfetation; because they are always almost begot in the same Act, by the abundance of both Seeds received into the Womb; neither must we believe that it may be at all times of a Woman's being with Child; for it cannot be either the first or second day of Conception; because if the last Seed be received into the Womb, it would make confusion with the first, which is not yet enwrapped with this little skin, that might otherwise separate it, nor is form perfectly till the sixth or seventh day; as Hypocrates saw in a Woman, who about that time expelled this geniture: Besides the Matrix opening itself again could not hinder the first Seed from slipping out; being not as yet invellopt with this little skin, which could preserve it. This may make one not to believe Pliny's story; that it happened for his reasons, to wit, that she used Copulation with two several Persons the same day; for the last would certainly have caused this confusion of Seeds, and also have destroyed the work begun: But I rather believe that this superfetation may happen from the 6th day of Conception, till the 30th or 40th at most; because then the Seeds are covered with Skins, and that which is contained in the Womb, is not of a considerable bigness: but after this time it is impossible, or yet at least very difficult, because the Womb being extended more and more by the growth of the Child can hardly receive new Seed & as hardly retain it; but casts it forth by reason of its fullness; and 'tis a true Maxim, intus existens prohibet alienum.  
Now when a Woman brings forth one or more Children at a Birth, begotten at once which usually are called Twins, (and differs from superfetation) 'tis known by their being almost of an equal thickness and bigness, and having but one only and common afterbirth; not separated the one from the other, but by their Skins, which wrap each a part with their waters, and not both in the same waters and skin; as some have believed; but if there be several Children and a superfetation, they will also be separated by their Skins, but not have a common burden, but each a part; neither will they be of an equal bigness, for that which is the superfetation is always lesser and weaker, then that which was first engendered; who because of its force and vigour draws to itself the greatest and best part of the nourishment; just as we find in fair and great fruit, that have often near them very little ones; which happens because those that are first knotted and fastened to the Tree, take away all their nourishment from their Neighbours, which did but blossom when the first had acquired ground and bigness: and sometimes Twins are not of an equal bigness, which happens as the one or other hath more strength to draw to it in greater abundance the best part of the common nourishment.  
Now I am not willing to say that there is never any superfetation; but I say that it happens very rarely; for of an hundred Women that have Twins, ninety have but one burden common to both, which is a very certain sign they had no superfetation, and much more certain than the observations taken from the greatness, or strength of the Child, which is but conjectural.  
And thus have I given you Mrs. my full sentiments concerning this so much disputed and intricate matter: Now I pray you proceed to the other distempers accompanying Women before Childbirth.  
Mid. That I shall Sir, and the next shall be concerning their vomitings.   

SECT. III. Of Vomitings of Women with Child.  
Mid. Vomiting with suppression of the Terms, are for the most part the first accident, and the means by which they perceive they have conceived. 'Tis not always caused from ill humours in the stomach, because of the stopping of the courses; for these corrupted humours cause rather a depraved appetite then this vomiting, which happens immediately after Conception, and comes by succession; but these first vomitings proceed from the Sympathy between the stomach and the Womb, because of the likeness of their substance, and by means of the Nerves inserted in the upper Orifice of the Stomach, which have communication, by continuity, with those that pass to the Womb, being portions of the 6th pair of those of the brain. Now the Womb, being a very sensible part beginning to grow bigger, feels some pain, which being communicated by this continuity of Nerves to the upper Orifice of the Stomach, causes these loathe and vomitings. And to prove that it is thus, and not by the pretended ill humours, it appears in that many Women begin to vomit from the first day of their being with Child, who were in perfect health before they conceived, which the suppression of the Courses could not cause.  
Now loathing, or nauseousness, is a desire to vomit, and a motion by which the stomach is drawn towards its upper orifice, without casting up any thing; and vomiting is a more violent motion, by which is cast forth of the mouth whatsoever is contained in it.  
At first vomiting is but a single symptom, not to be feared, but continuing long it weakens the Stomach very much; and hindering digestion corrupts the food in lieu of concocting it; whence succeed ill humours which require purging. These vomitings commonly continue till the 3d or 4th month of being with Child; which is the time the Child appears manifestly to be quick; then they begin to cease, and Women recover the appetite they had lost; because the Infant in growing hath need of more nourishment: and so consumes those humours which flew to the Stomach; and besides the Womb is then accustomed to its extension; these continue in some till they are delivered, which often endangers miscarriages; and the rather, the nearer they are to their full time; and others are tormented more towards the end of their reckoning, then at first; because then the Stomach cannot be widened enough easily to contain the food, being pressed by the bigness of the Womb: such a vomiting to Women whose Children lie high seldom ceases before they are delivered.  
Be not troubled at vomitings, in the beginning, if they be gentle, without straining, for they are beneficial, but if they continue longer than the 3d or 4th month, they are to be remedied; because for want of nourishment the Mother and Child will both grow weak; and the continued subversion of the Stomach causing great motion of the belly, will force the Child before its time.  
Now to hinder this vomiting from afflicting the Woman long, for 'tis very hard to stop it quite, let her use good diet, but little at a time, that she may keep it without pain, and not be forced to vomit it; and to strengthen it let her eat it with juice of Oranges or Lemons, Verjuice or rose vinegar, or eat after Meals a little Marmelade of Quinces; and she must forbear fat meat and sauces, for they soften the Skins of the Stomach, which are weak and lose by vomitings, and also sweet sauces.  
But if for all this that it continues, although the Woman be above half gone; 'tis a clear sign there are cleave corrupt humours to the inward sides of the Stomach, which must be purged by stool; to effect which, give half a dram of Rhubard, a dram or two at most of Sena, infussed in posset-Ale, to which strained add an ounce of Syrup of Succory: which dissolves the humours, and in voiding them comforts the parts: or you may give her Cassia and Tamarinds; always adding a little Rhubarb, or syrup of Succory compound: If once be not enough, repeat it, some few days respite between; If it continues for all this, you must rest here, lest some worse thing happen, for she is then in great danger of miscarrying; and if the Hiccoup takes them from too much emptiness, by vomiting and purging, 'tis very bad, as Hypocrates Prince and oracle of Physic teacheth us.  
As for great Cupping-glasses which some advice to be applied to the Stomach to keep it in its place; I believe it's a chip in Pottage; because the Stomach is lose, and no way cleaving to this upper part of the Belly. But since these vomitings cool and weaken it, I should advise them to wear a piece of Scarlet or Flannel, or Lambskin, which would help digestion.   

SECT. iv Of the pains of the Back, Loins, Reins and Hips.  
ALL these Accidents are but the effects of the widening of the Womb, and the compression it makes on the Neighbouring parts by its weight. These are greater the first time she is with Child, for afterwards the Womb only receives the same dimensions it had before; and the cords which hold it in its natural place, as well round as large, suffer a greater stress, being much drawn and straightened by the bigness and weight of the Womb; to wit the large ones those of the Back and Loins, which answer to the Reins, because these two strings are strongly fastened towards these parts; and the round ones cause those of the Groins, Share and Thighs where they end. These are sometimes so much stretched by this weight and highness' of the Womb that they are torn, chief if the Woman chance to have a false step, which causes very great pains, and other worse accidents; as it happened to a certain Woman, being six months gone of her first Child, who felt the like after she had stumbled, and perceived at the same time something crack towards her Reins and Loins, which was one of the large cords, made a noise by the sudden jolt she received; at the same instant she felt extreme pains in her Reins and Loins, and all one side of her belly, which caused her immediately to vomit, very often with much violence, and the next day was taken with a great continued Fever, which lasted seven or eight days, without being able to sleep or rest one hour, all that time she vomited all she took, with a strong and frequent Hiccoup, and great pains, which seemed as if they would hasten her Labour, which I was very apprehensive of, as also of her death: but by the help of God, causing her immediately to be put to Bed, where she rested 12 whole days, she was thrice let blood in her Arm on several days, and took a grain of Laudanum at twice in the yelk of an Egg, a little to ease her violent pains, by giving her rest; taking also from time to time good strengthening Cordials; so that all these Symptoms, which at first seemed desperate, ceased by little and little, and she went out her full time, and then was happily delivered of a Son, which lived 15 months, notwithstanding all those mischievours accidents befell her, which were enough to have killed half a dozen others; but God sometimes is pleased to work Miracles by nature, assisted with remedies fit for the purpose, as well as by his Grace. And also the Womb causeth the pains of the Hips by its weight, in bearing too much upon them. And assure yourselves there is nothing will ease all these pains better than to rest in Bed, and bleed i'th' Arm, if there be any great extension, or breaking of any cord of the Womb, as was in this case; and when the Womb bears too much upon the Hips, if she cannot keep her Bed, she must support her Belly with a broad swaith.   

SECT. V Of the pains of the Breasts.  
AS soon as a Woman conceives, her monthly blood wanting ordinary evatuation, and she daily breeding blood, there is a necessity, she consuming but little whilst first with Child, that the Vessels being too full, should discharge part, as it doth, upon the parts disposed to receive it, such as the kernelly parts, especially the Breasts, which suck up a great quantity of it, which swelling them causes this pain which she feels, and happens also to those whose Terms are only stopped.  
To ease her we ought, in the beginning, to leave it to Nature, the chief Physician, and she must only have a care she receive no blows thereon, nor be straight laced; but after the third or fourth month the blood being still sent to the Breasts in great store, 'tis much better to evacuate it by bleeding in the Arm, then to turn it back upon some other part by repercussive or binding Medicines, because it cannot flow to any part where it can do less hurt than these; and to shun the accident o● which Hypocrates speaks in his 40th Aphorism, of the 5th book; If Blood be carried in too great abundance to the Breasts, it shows th● Woman is in danger of being Frantic; because of the transport which may be mad● thence of the brain; which is voided by moderate bleeding i'th' Arm, and a regular cooling diet, moderately nourishing.   

SECT. VI Of involuntary voiding, and stopping of Urine.  
THE seat of the Bladder which is just upon the Womb, is sufficient to instruct us, why Women with Child, are sometimes troubled with difficulty of Urine; and why often they cannot hold their water; which is caused 2 ways, 1. because the Womb by its bigness and weight presses the bladder, so that 'tis hindered from its ordinary extension, and so incapable of containing a reasonable quantity of Urine; which is the cause the bigger she grows, and the nearer her time, the oftener she's compelled to make water, 2. if the weighty burden of the Womb doth very much press the bottom of the bladder, it forceth the Woman to make water every moment, but if the neck of it be pressed it is filled full with Urine, being not able to expel it, because the Sphincter Muscle, in this compression, cannot be opened to let it out, which causes great pain. Sometimes by its sharpness, stirs up the bladder often by pricking it, to discharge itself; and sometimes by its heat it makes an inflammation in the neck of the bladder, which causes its stopping: and if it be from a stone in the bladder 'tis more in supportable and dangerous to a Woman with Child than one that is not; because the Womb, by its swelling causeth the stone perpetually to press against the bladder, and the pains are violenter, if it be greater, or of an unequal or sharp shape.  
'Tis of great moment to hinder these violent endeavours to make water, and to remedy them, if possible, in all indispositions, because by long continuance of forcing downwards to make water, the Womb is loosened and bears down, and is sometimes forced to discharge its self of its burden before its time: which we must endeavour to hinder, having respect to its different causes; as when it comes from the weight of the Womb, pressing the bladder, as for the most part; now she may remedy it, if with both her hands when she would make water, she lift up the bottom of her belly; or wear a large swath or keep her bed.  
If it be sharpness of Urine that makes an inflammation i'th' neck o'th' bladder, appease it by a cooling diet, forbearing strong drinks, using emulsions made of the 4 cold seeds, or whey with syrup of Violets; use not purging because its heat augments the inflammation; these are proper to cleanse the Urinary passages, without either prejuding Mother or Child, taken Morning and Evening. If all this prevail not let her blood a little i'th' Arm; and bathe the outward entry of the neck of the bladder with a decoction of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory and Violets, with a little Linfeed; and inject some of the same into the bladder, to which you may add Honey of Violets, or luke warm Milk: abstaining from all diuretics, for fear they provoke Abortion. And when all fails she must send for a Physician or Chirurgeon to make use of his Catheter; And also if it arise from the stone in the neck of the bladder, they may thrust it back with it; but if small draw it forth; for a great one cannot be drawn forth before she be delivered; being better to leave her so then endanger her life or the Child's.   

SECT. VII. Of a Cough and difficult breathing.  
THey whose Infants lie low, are more troubled with difficulty of Urine, than they whose lie higher, who are free from that and the like distemper, but are more subject to a Cough and difficult breathing.  
If a Cough be violent, to vomiting, 'tis one of the chiefest things which cause Abortion; because 'tis an essay whereby the Lungs endeavour to cast forth of the Breast that which offends them by a compression of all its Muscles, which pressing all the enclosed air inwards, wherewith the Lungs are much stretched, thrusts also downwards by the same means, the midriff, and consequently all the parts of the lower belly, but particularly the Womb, which continuing long and violent, often causeth Abortion.  
Sometimes it proceeds from sharp rheums, which distil from the brain upon the Artery and Lungs; and sometimes from such blood, which flows towards the Breast; upon stopping the Terms; also from too cold air breathing which stirs up the parts to motion; but being begun by these causes 'tis often augmented by the compression the Womb makes upon the Midriff, which cannot have its liberty in those that bear their Children high; because by its great extension it bears up almost all the parts of the lower belly, towards the Breast, and chief the Stomach and Liver, forcing them against the Midriff.  
You must remedy this by keeping good diet somewhat cooling, if from sharp humours, avoiding all Salt and Spice meats, Oranges, Lemons, Vinegar, etc. but she may use juice of Liquorice, Sugar-candy, syrup of Violets, or Mulberries, which she may mix with a Ptysan made with Jujubs, Sebestens, French Barley, and a little Liquorice; and it may not be amiss to divert and draw down these humours by a gentle Clyster. If these prevail not, and there appears signs of fullness of blood, bleed her in the Arm, at what time soever of going with Child; and though it be not usually practised when they are young with Child, yet here it must; for a continual Cough is much more dangerous than a moderate bleeding. If it come of cold keep in a close Room with a napkin doubled about her Neck, or a Lambskin; and going to bed take 3 or 4 spoonfuls of this syrup of  wine following, which is very Pectoral and causeth good digestion.  
Take half a pint of French wine, 2 drams of Cinnamon bruised, half a dozen cloves, 4 ounces of white Sugar or Sugar-candy; put them together in a Porringer, and boil them upon a Chaffing dish of Coals, burn it, and then boil it to the consistence of a Syrup.  
You must not from whatever cause it proceeds, that she must go lose in her ; and because sleep is proper to stay fluxions, it may be procured by the Physician: using no strong stupefactives of opium, which are dangerous, if there be not very great necessity; as in the patiented mentioned in the Section of the pain of Back, Loins, Reins and Hips.  
Some Women carry their first Child chief so high, because the cords which support the Womb are not stretched, that they think them to be in their Breasts, which causes a difficult breathing, as soon as they have eaten a little, walked or gone up the stairs; so that they fear they shall be choked; which comes from the Wombs being enlarged and pressing the Stomach and the Liver, which forces the Midriff upward, leaving it no room to be moved: sometimes their Lungs are so full of blood, driven thither from all parts that it hardly leaves passage for the air; if so they will breathe more easily as soon as a little blood is taken from the Arm; but if it comes from a compression made by the womb against the Midriff, the best remedy is to wear her clothes lose, and eat little and often; eating no windy meats as pease, and avoiding all grief and fear, because they drive the blood to the Heart and Lungs in too great quantity, so that she having her Breast already stuffed, and hardly breathing, will be in danger of being choked; for the abundance of blood filling the Ventricles of the Heart above measure and at once, hinders its motion, without which she cannot live.   

SECT. VIII. Of the swelling and pains of the Thighs and Legs.  
MAny think, which is in part true, that the Woman having more blood than the Infant needs to nourish it, nature by virtue of the expulsive faculty of the upper parts which are always strongest, drives the superfluity upon the lower, as the Legs, etc. as most feeble and apt to receive it; and so are caused their swelling and pain and sometimes red spots, from the swelling of the Veins, along the inside, which extremely hinders her going: but the doctrine of the circulation of the blood, invented by our Countryman the immortal Dr. Harvey, the English Hypocrates, will teach us better how this comes, then that we need have have recourse to this expulsive faculty; but because 'tis fit for Physicians and Surgeons that are learned in Anatomy than Midwives, being they may help them without such curious knowledge; I shall omit it, and if you would be satisfied, see what the learned and expert French Chirurgeon Moricean, hath written on this Subject, 'tis put into English by Dr. Chamberlain.  
Now to remedy these let her only use a palliative cure, in swathing the parts with a rowler 3 or 4 fingers broad; beginning at the bottom, and she should most keep her bed, if she can; and if there be signs of abundance of blood in other parts she may bleed without danger.  
Some women's Legs swell only from weakness, and are so Phlegmatic that when you press them with your finger the print remains; because they want Natural heat sufficient to concoct all the nourishment sent to them, and expel its superfluities, which remaining makes them so Hydropical. To resolve these swell, make a Lee made with the ashes of Vines, or other wood ashes, and Melilote, Camomile, and Lavender boiled in it; if that do not foment them with this. Take Rosemary, Bays, Time, Merjoram, Sage and Lavender, of each a handful, Province Roses half a handful, Pomegranate flowers and Alum, each an ounce, boil them in 3 pints of strong red wine, to the wasting of a 3d part and use it. But these swell commonly cease when she brought to Bed, because she purgeth the superfluity of her whole habit, by her Lochia.   

SECT. IX. Of the Hemorrhoids.  
THese are swell and painful Inflammations caused by a flux of humours upon the extremities of the Hemorrhoid veins and Arteries, caused by a abundance of blood cast upon these parts because the body is not purged as before; and sometimes by endeavours they have to go to stool when costive; If they be small and without pain, either inward or outward, 'tis easy to prevent their farther growth, by remedies which hinder and turn the flux from those parts, but the great ones are cured by first easing the pain; so that if she have other signs of fullness in the rest of her body she may safely be once let blood i'th' Arm, and if great necessity twice, if she be costive let her take a Clyster, of Violets, Mallows, Marsh-mallows, and honey of Violets, with some fresh Butter or Oil of Almonds; adding no sharp thing, especially in inward Piles; after let her keep a moderate and cooling diet, and rest in her Bed, if she may, till the flux be past; in that while anointing them with strokings from the Cow, and foment them with the decoction of her Clyster, adding some Linseed: your Oil of sweet Almonds, Oil of Poppies, and Oil of water Lilies well beaten together with the yelk of an Egg, in a leaden mortar, are very good to ease pain; and if that Inflammation be great anoint a little with Vnguentum refrigerens Galeni, or anguentum album, & populeon equally mixed.  
After all this if the swelling abates not, apply Leeches, or if soft, or any kind of inundation use a Lancet; but Leeches are properer for hard Piles, because they pain not so much. Women are not here eased by Piles as Men are, because 'tis contrary to nature, for this evacuation ought always to be made by the Womb; if not with Child; but if she be, it may in some measure, if full of blood, supply the natural; if they bleed moderately, and without pain she may be eased, but if they flow too much there's danger of both Mother and Child being weakened; to avoid which make binding fomentations with the decoction of pomegranate flowers, and Vines, and Province Roses, made in Smith's water and a little Alum; or this pultis made of Bole-Armenac, Dragons-blood, and sealed earth, with the white of an Egg: and to turn the blood by bleeding i'th' Arm, and Cupping-Glasses to the Reins, etc. as you may consult the Physician.   

SECT. X. Of the several Fluxes happening to Women with Child.  
SHE is Subject to three sorts of Fluxes, the Flux of the Belly, of the Terms and Fludings.  
Of the Belly are three kinds, the first Lienteria, when the Stomach and Guts not digesting the nourishments received let it pass away raw. 2. Diarrhea, when they simply discharge the humours and excrements which they contain. The 3d and worst is a Dysenteria, when with the humours and excrements she voids blood, with violent pains, caused by an ulceration of the Guts.  
Any of these if they continue long put her in great danger of Aborting; if the first, the Stomach letting the food pass before it be turned into juice, whereof blood is made to nourish Mother and Child, they must both be weakened; if the 2d it will cause the same accident; because of voiding the Spirits with the humours; but most danger's i'th' last, because she hath then great pains and Gripes i'th' Guts from their Ulcer; which excites them continually, by constant prickings, to discharge themselves of the sharp humours which causes a violent motion of the Womb, being pla●ed upon the right gut, and to the Child, and, by the compression the Muscles of the belly make on all sides, as also those that are made by them of the Midriff, which force themselves downwards in the endeavours she makes with pain so often to go to stool, the Child is constrained to come before its time, and the oftener by how much the prickings are greater: for according to Hypocrates; Aphorism 27 book 7. If a tenasm happen to one with Child, it makes her Miscarry. Now this tenasm is a great passion of the right Gut, which forceth it to make those violent endeavours to discharge itself without being able to avoid any thing but Choleric humours mixed with blood, by which 'tis perpetually pricked.  
This Flux happens to her commonly from a weak digestion of the Stomach, because of her bad diet, which her strange appetite causes her often to long for, by the constant use whereof at last being weakened it suffers the food to pass without digestion, or if it stay longer 'tis turned into a corrupt juice, which descending into the Guts iritates them by its sharpness to discharge themselves as soon as they can.  
To proceed safely in the cure of these Fluxes, their nature must be considered, that the cause that maintains them may be removed. If it be a Lienteria following Vomitings, as is usual, which have so weakened the Stomach, and loosened its Skins, that having no longer strength to vomit up the food, it suffers it to pass downward without digestion; then she must refrain all irregular appetites, and eat food of good digestion and little at a time, she may drink a little deep Claret wine, in which Iron hath been quenched, if she have not a strong Fever, for in a small one wine is to be preferred, because her Fever is but symptomatick, from the weakness of her Stomach, and will vanish as soon as it is fortified; which may be promoted if she take before and after meals, some of that  wine spoke of before for the Cough, or a little good Hippocras, or right Canary, or eat a little Marmalade of quinces before meals; and wear a Lambskin upon the pit of her Stomach; be sure to give no purge, for this is only caused by weakness.  
If it be a Diarrhea simply voiding such excrements as are in the Guts, and some superfluous humours, which nature hath sent to be expelled, and it be gentle and continue not long, she will feel no damage by it, and so 'tis good to leave it to nature without interrupting it in the beginning; but if it continue above 4 or 5 days 'tis a sign there are ill humours cleaven to the inside of the Guts, and aught to be expelled by some light purge after which it will certainly cease.  
But if for all fit purges, it changes into a Dysentery, she is then in danger of miscarrying; which must be prevented if possible; therefore having purged the ill humour, and hindering, that no more be engendered, by Chicken or Veal broths, etc. with cooling herbs, pap with the yelk of an Egg well boiled, let her quench Iron or Steel in her drink which must be small beer or water, with a little strong, or wine, if she be not Feverish, for then half a spoonful of syrup of Quinces, or Pomegranates is better; and she may eat a little Marmalade of Quince, or other strengtheners, if she was purged before; and because there is always great gripes, they must be appeased, by Clysters made of the broth of a Calves or Sheep's head well boiled, with 2 ounces of oil of Violets; or good Milk and the yelk of an Egg; after the use of these as long as is judged necessary, which she must keep as long as she can; you must proceed to clensers made with Mallows and Marsh-mallows with honey of Roses, and then binding ones, in which must be neither oil nor honey, beginning first with gentlest made of Rose-water, with Lettuce and Plantain water, then to stronger, of the roots and leaves of Plantain, tapsus barbatus, horse-tail, province Roses, rind of Pomegranates in Smith's water, adding of sealed earth and Dragon's blood of each 2 drams; you may also foment the Fundament.  
Of the monthly blood before, and if it be from to much blood 'twil do her a kindness.   

SECT. XI. Of Fluddings.  
THe Courses come at accustomed times, without pain, distilling by little and little from the Wombs Neck, during pregnancy and then wholly ceaseth; but these come with pain, from the Wombs bottom, and almost on a sudden in great abundance, and continue without intermission, except some clods, form there, seem sometimes to lessen the accident, by stopping for a small time the place whence they flow; but it soon returns with greater violence, and after follows death to the Mother and Child, if not prevented by delivering the Woman.  
If the Fludding happen when young with Child it's usually because of some false Conception, or Mole, of which the Womb endeavours to discharge itself, by which it opens some of the Vessels in its bottom, whence the blood ceases not to flow, till it hath cast out the strange bodies it contained, & the subtler the blood is the more it flows; but when this happens to one truly Conceived, at whatever time, it proceeds likewise from the opening of the Vessels of the Womb's fund, caused by some blow, slip, etc. and chief because the secundine, separating in part if not wholly from the inside of the Wombs bottom, to which it ought to stick, to receive the Mother's blood, for the Child's nouriture, leaves open all the Orifices of the Vessels where it joined, and so follows a great flux of blood, which never ceases till she be brought a Bed; yet I do not intent it should be done as soon as perceived, for some small fluddings have been stopped by lying quietly in Bed, bleeding i'th' Arm and the use of Remedies mentioned in the menstruous Flux; and it may be but an ordinary monthly Flux; and then 'tis good leaving the Labour to nature, provided she hath strength, and accompanied with no other ill accident; but when she falls into Convulsions and Faintings, 'tis absolutely necessary she be delivered, whether she be at her count or no, pains or throws or no, for there is no other way to save both their Lives.  
You must not always expect pains and throws to force and forward Labour, in these dangerous accidents, for though they come at the beginning, they usually cease as soon as it comes to Faintings and Convulsions; neither must it be put off till the Womb be opened enough, for this Flux moistens, and the weakness loosens it, so that it may then be as easily widened as if there had been abundance of strong throws. Wherefore let the Midwife introduce her Fingers anointed with Oil or Butter, 2 or 3 at a time, and all by degrees, and at last her whole Hand, and if she find the waters not broke, break them, and then whatever part of the Child presents, though the head (provided it be not i'th' Birth) let her search for the Feet, and draw it forth by them; observing the circumstances in delivery of a Child with the Feet first, because there's better hold; so that if the Feet lie not ready seek for them, which is easier done at that time than another; because the Fluddings make the Womb slippery: then fetch the afterburthen, which in these cases cleaves but little, being careful not to leave so much as a clod i'th' Womb, lest it continue the Fludding.  
In this case many Women and Children have perished for want of this operation, and many escaped death by being timely succoured. Guilemeau a Famous French Chirurgeon mentions 6 or 7 Histories to confirm this; and Moriceau by his experience avers it, and in the case of his own Sister too long here to relate.  
You are always here to give good strengthening broths, jellies and a little good Wine, and smell to rose Vinegar; and to prevent the blood Fludding in great quantity, open a vein i'th' Arm, or bind her Arm with fillets above her Elbow, and lay  upon her Reins wet in water and Vinegar: but if this proceeds from the parting of the after-burden, she must be delivered as soon as may be, though she were but 3 or 4 months gone, because all must be brought away whether false Conception, Mole, or Child.   

SECT. XII. Of the Weight of the Womb, etc.  
THis is often caused by the stretching of the large Cords of the Womb, and this will cause an hindrance of Copulation, and a numbness in her Hips, sleepiness in her Thighs, and difficulty of Urine and going to stool; chief towards her latter reckon, because it presseth down the Bladder and great Gut, being seated between both. But she may be easier cured of this bearing down after she's laid, than before; for then the Cords will be easier strengthened, and she may then use pessaries which she cannot so well with Child.  
The help for this from any cause is to keep her Bed, or swaith her; and if she have difficulty in urining, help herself by lifting up her belly with both hands; but if humour's cause this, let her keep a drying diet; as Roast-meat, etc. and refrain Copulation; straight lacing; and above all when in Labour, take care that neither by throws, nor birth of the Child, nor violent drawing the burden, that she get not a falling out of the Womb, instead of a bearing down or weight, which is soon done, if the method taught in the birth of a Child, when its Head thrusts the Neck of the Womb forth before it, be not well observed.   

SECT. XIII. Of the Dropsy of the Womb, etc.  
THese waters are either bred in the Womb, or brought thither from some other parts, as in the Dropsy of the belly it passes by transudation through the porous substance of the Skins of the Womb; and these have deceived the Midwives as well as patients, who having along time hoped and been made to hope for a Child, at length find nothing but waters; whereof some have voided a pailful, of which are many relations by Physicians and Surgeons; These are bred i'th' Womb when 'tis too cold or weakened by a violent Labour before, or from suppression of filthy humours. When these are sent to the Womb from other parts they are never wrapped in a particular skin, but retained only by its exact closure, and flow away as soon as it gins to open; but when bred in the Womb, which is for the most part after Copulation, if the seed be too cold, waterish, or corrupt, they are then sometimes contained within the Skin, which hinder the patients from a speedy discharge of them. She going with it almost as long as with a Child; and this is it persuades them they are with Child.  
But 'tis easy to avoid being deceived, if you take notice of the Signs of a true Conception; for in a Dropsy her breasts are fallen, have no Milk, nor finds herself quicken at the usual time, but a bubbling of moved waters; a greater weight in her Belly, and more equal, the Womb, Hips, Thighs and Legs swell, and worse Colour in her Face; and as it may come alone, so it may accompany a true Conception, the waters being contained in the Womb without the Child's Skin. Some have voided 3 or 4 quarts above 2 months before they were brought to Bed, and then they are contained in the Womb without the Skins, or else the Child would be forced to be born presently after they are voided.  
The best Remedy is to wait patiently the time of delivery, observing a dry diet; but if 'tis only contained in the Womb, use diuretics, and endeavour to procure her Courses, and to destroy by purges the cause of the Generation of such superfluities: of which the Womb is so full sometimes that it dischargeth some on the outward parts and chief the nearest; as the Lips of the Privities, which are so swelled that they are quite blown up, and in some are so big, that they can't close their Thighs, and hinders walking; now because this may be inconvenient to her during Labour, it will be requisite to remedy it before, which must be done by a Lancet, all along the Lips, then applying compresses dipped in astringent wine; Leeches though less painful are not so proper, because their small Orifices close again as soon as removed, but the other may be made as big or little as one will, and kept open by ointment as long as is fit.   

SECT. XIV. Of Abortion and its causes.  
WHen a Woman Sir i'th' beginning casts forth what she had retained by Conception, 'tis an Effiuxion of the Seed; if a false Conception, 'tis an Expulsion, but when the infant's formed and gins to live, if it come before time ordained by Nature 'tis an Abortion; and we say in general that every sharp Disease easily causes it; in particular all the accidents before mentioned: as also a great noise, as Cannon, of Thunder claps, watching, fasting, stinks, etc. if she Miscarries without any of these accidents. Hypocrates says, any Woman indifferently corpulent miscarrying the 2d or 3d month without manifest cause, 'tis because the inward closers of the Womb's Vessels are full of viscous filth, whereby they cant retain the weight of the fetus, which is loosened from it; to this are Phlegmatic Women Subject, and who have the whites much which make the Womb slippery, and lose.  
Likewise the passions of the mind, cause great hurt, chief Choler, but above all sudden fear; There are other causes which may be said to proceed from the Infant, as when its monstrous, or hath an unnatural Situation.  
If we find one or more of the said accidents, and she hath a great heaviness in her belly, falling like a ball on that side she turns, and there comes stinking humours from her, 'tis a sign she will miscarry of a dead Child; Now she is in more danger of her Life when she miscarries then at full time; and in danger of miscarrying always, if she miscarry at first; because of the violent motion caused by frequent Copulation; but they may preserve their fruit when their love is a little moderated. We have taught before to prevent each accident. Who are subject to Abortion, must rest or keep in Bed, refrein Copulation, 〈◊〉 soon as she thinks she's with Child, avoiding diuretics and openers; and be lose dressed, wear low-heeled Shoes with broad Sols. Her rest must be 5 or 6 or 9 or 15 days, during which time may be applied to her belly compresses steeped in Aromatic and Astringent Wine. Some Midwives giving Crimson silk minced small in the yelk of an Egg, or Scarlet grains, and Treddles of several Eggs put into a yelk, is superstitious, as if entering the Stomach it were able to fortify the Womb, and Child and keep it there.    

PART. III. Of Diseases and Symptoms happening to Women after Childbirth.  

SECT. I. Of Remedies for the Breasts and lower parts of the Belly of Women newly delivered, and how to draw back the Milk.  
Mid. AS soon Sir as the Woman is delivered, and burden come away, I see that a fludding follow not its loosening, if not, apply presently a soft closure 5 or 6 double to the Womb, that done carry her to Bed, removing all foul Linen, a little raising her Head and Body, putting down her Legs and Thighs with a small pillow if she will, under her hands, lying on her back. Then the best thing under the Sun to give her is a good broth, and so leave her to sleep; waking apply this pultis over the bottom of her Belly and Privities, take 2 ounces of Oil of Sweet Almonds, 2 or 3 new laid Eggs, stir them together in a pipkin over hot Embers, when 'tis thick apply it indifferently warm, taking away the closures and clods of blood; renew this if need be after 5 or 6 hours, then make a decoction of Barley, Linseed and Chervil, or Marsh-Mallows and Violet leaves, adding an ounce of honey of Roses to a pint; and foment the bearing place Lukewarm 3 or 4 times a day, for the first 5 or 6 days: some use only milk; and others Barley water. After 10 or 12 days fortify the parts with a decoction of Province Roses, Plantain leaves and roots, and Smith's water. The 2d day use lose swaths with a large square bolster, over the Belly, till the 8th day, taking it off; i'th' mean time, often to anoint her Belly, if it be sore, with Oil of sweet Almonds, and St. John's wort mixed; then begin to swaith her straighter.  
If she will not be a Nurse, apply remedies to the Breasts to drive back the Milk; if she will Nurse them, keep her warm with soft clothes; and if you fear too much blood carrying to them, anoint them with Oil of Roses and a little Vinegar beat together, and lay on fine Linen dipped in't; let her not suck the Child the same day she's delivered, but stay 6 or 7 days.  
In driving back the Milk some remedies hinder flowing of humours to the Breasts, others scatter, and, in part, dissolve the Milk therein. Of the first sort are the last ointment, or unguentum populeon and unguentum album, equally mixed, spread upon Linen, and applied. Of the 2d is a Pultis made of Linseed, Fenugreek, Beans, and Vetches powdered, boiled with the decoction of Chervil, or Sage, with Honey and Saffron: some apply Honey only; others rub the Breasts with Honey, and lay on a red Cabbage leaf, a little dried, the stalks taken away; having great care she take not cold; and above all, procure ample voiding of the cleansings, by keeping the belly open, by Clysters provoking them; then the Milk will soon vanish.   

SECT. II. Of Fludding after Childbirth.  
OF that preceding Labour before: this blood now flows more abundantly, by how much 'tis hotter, or moved by a long and hard Labour, and the Woman's full of blood; and besides what's said, note, sometimes this blood continuing to flow, and remaining i'th' bottom o'th' Womb becomes clotted, which causeth a new Flood, and continues by Fits, and i'th' intervals there comes away some wheyishness of the imprisoned blood, which dissolves, and makes some ignorant People think the Flux is stopped, though it continue flowing within, wherein it stops only by the clotted blood, when which comes away it gins a fresh. This is a more dangerous accident than any can happen to one newly laid, which dispatches her so soon, if in great quantity▪ that there's often scarce time to remedy it, so that you are immediately to apply remedies, both to stop, and turn back from the places whence it flows; to which end if it be a false Conception, piece of the burden, or clotted blood, use all diligence to fetch them away, or cause them to be speedily expelled; but if it flows and nothing remain, bleed her i'th' Arm, not so much to empty the fullness, as to turn the course; lay her body equally flat, not raised, and keep quiet without turning from side to side: nor must the upper part of her Belly be swathed or bolstered; keep her Chamber a little cool, and not too warm in Bed: All forbidden Clysters lest they say, humours be called down; but the contrary hath been experimentally found, that great fluddings have been stopped by pretty strong cleansing one's.  
But if for all this the Flood continues, then to the last Remedy, which is to lay her upon fresh Straw, with a single cloth upon it and no Quilt, applying  wet in Vinegar and water along her Loins, and if in the Winter a little warm; give every half hour a little strong broth, with a few spoonfuls of Jelly, and between whiles the yelk of a new laid Egg; give her not too much food at a time; drinking red Wine with a little water wherein Iron hath been quenched; If all this prevail not she will be in danger of her life.   

SECT. III. Of the bearing down and falling out of the Womb and Fundament of a Woman newly laid.  
ANd here I shall make 2 sorts of Bearing down, and 2 sorts of falling forth; which differ but in degree, for the first is when the Womb only bears down and comes not forth, the 2d when it comes out of the Body.  
The first sort of bearing down, is when the full body of the Womb falls into the Neck, in such manner as putting up a Finger you may feel the Orifice very near; the 2d when the Womb being yet lower, one can clearly perceive this Orifice quite without.  
The falling out is twofold too; in one the Womb comes quite forth, but is not turned inside out, nor can its inside be seen, only its orifice; which appears at the end of a great fleshy Mass, which makes the body of the Womb; and this is called a falling forth of the Womb; the other is called a perversion or turning inside out, most dangerous; for you may perceive all even and without any Orifice; and thus it seems to be only a great piece of bloody flesh, almost like a Man's Cod, which hangs between her Thighs; and that which is wonderful, in this case, is, the Womb, the infant's house, goes forth at the Gate, which is the inner Orifice.  
A loosening or breaking of the Cords causes the bearing down, which comes from hard Labour: who have many whites are subject to it, and heavy Children, Coughing, Sneezing, a fall, going in a Coach or Horseback, great lifts, burdens, lifting the Arms too high, and putting them over their head; looseness, great pains and needing, all which shake and thrust the Womb downwards, when with Child, and the cords being loosened or broken cannot keep it up, so that a bearing down doth easily follow the Birth of a Child; but the most ordinary cause is violent travel when a Child cometh wrong, and cannot be born so, or hath too big an head, or the inner Orifice not enough opened, for the Womb is violently forced down, and yet the Child can't advance into the passage, because the cords are so rend or loosened; or when the Secondine sticking close to the bottom is pulled away on a sudden, or too violently, and much sooner if putting up the hand, as when the String's broke, one pulls the body of the Womb instead of the Afterbirth; but your directions will prevent this.  
She feels a great weight at the bottom of her Belly, extreme pain i'th' Reins and Loins; and a bloodish moisture passes through this Mass of Flesh hanging between her Legs. A loosening may happen to all Women, a falling out but seldom, a perfect perversion never but upon or immediately after a delivery; because the inner Orifice is then almost as wide as its bottom; but not at other times; when closed there is no possibility of its turning inside out; how to remedy it, I have told you.  
If she be young and disease new, easily expect a cure, for a loosening or falling out, but if she old, and of a long standing, 'tis so much the more incurable.  
Here do two things. 1. reduce the Womb to its place. 2. strengthen it and keep it there; for the first, if it be quite out or turned, first make her render Urine, and give a Clyster, if necessary to empty the Guts; then lay her on her back, her Hips raised a little higher than her Head, foment all with a little wine and water lukewarm, and with a soft rag put it up, wagging it little and little from side to side; and if this be too painful anoint it with Oil of sweet Almonds, wiping off the Oil as much as may be after.  
As to the keeping it in its place, and strengthening it after; let her keep in Bed on her back, her Hips a little raised, Legs something crossed, Thighs joined; but the best is to put a pessary up the neck of the Womb; the Figures of which you may see; some of the Figure of an Egg, of the length and bigness of the Womb's neck; but these are Subject to fall out, and so are not so convenient as those made of a piece of Cork; they are to be of a thick circular figure, like a small wreath, and pierced i'th' middle with a pretty big hole; they must be covered with white wax, and pretty large, pull them out with a Finger to clear them; they may be made some round, others somewhat square, or trianguler, the corners must be blunted or rounded.  
While the Lochia flow use nothing else to strengthen, and above all swath not her belly, but only for a stay; for many Midwives by a strong compression force it more down: use a Bed-pan, and lie along, if possible, when she goes to stool; keeping her hand all the while on the bottom of her Belly; but having cleansed well, then use astringent injections, and respect must be had to the whole habit of body to dry up the humours by a course of Physic, and she must keep her Bed for 5 or 6 weeks.  
Sometimes by the great throws she endures in Labour the fundament falls out; now if the Child be very forward i'th' passage, 'twill be enough to hinder it if possible before it happens, persuading her not to help her throws so much; but if it be down, she must stay till the Child be born; for it will be difficult before without bruising the Gut, then reduce it as the Womb; giving no Clysters, for straining will cause it.   

SECT. iv Of the bruises and rents of the outward parts of the Womb, caused by Labours.  
THese happen from the bigness of the Child's head, which makes her cry in her first-Labor, that the Midwife scratches those parts when 'tis the head makes a separation of the parts, and bruises and sometimes rends them; of which they are not insensible after Labours. These must not be neglected lest they turn to malignant Ulcers; then as soon as she's laid, if there be only simple bruises, apply the Pultis before directed, to those parts to ease pain, very warm for 5 or 6 hours, then lay some few rags dipped in Oil of St. John's wort, on each side, and renewing them twice or thrice a day, foment with Barley water and Honey of Roses, and when she makes water defend them with fine rags.  
If the bruises be great, and inflamed, and an Impostume follows, it must be opened and cured by the Chirurgeon; as also when by an unlucky accident the Privity and Fundament is rend in one; which when cured she will be obliged, if she happen to be with Child, to prevent the like, to anoint the parts with softening Oils and Ointments, and forbear helping her throws too strongly at once; but usually when these parts have been once rend, 'tis very difficult to prevent the like, because the scar streightens the parts. Lastly if by neglecting such a rent, the Lips be cicatriz'd and the cure be desired; 'tis the Surgeons business.   

SECT. V Of the After-pains.  
IF these come from wind i'th' Bowels, it runs from side to side, and sometimes towards the Womb; to prevent this some give of Oil of sweet Almonds, and syrup of Maidenhair, each 2 ounces, immediately after Childbirth; and to those that loath Oil I prefer warm broth, or caudle, and give a Clyster, and repeat it as need is; if it cease not thus 'tis maintained by some other cause.  
If from some strange body i'th' Womb, see to cast it out. If her cleansings be suddenly stopped, give Clysters to draw down; use hot foments to the bearing place; bleed i'th' Foot, and if full, i'th' Arm first: Rest alone, will fortify and unite the stretching or breaking o'th' Womb's cords; but never forget in all pains to mind the Lochia.   

SECT. VI Of the Lochia, whence they come, if good or bad, their stopping, and what ensues.  
THere flows waterish humours from the Womb as soon as the Child is born, besides those before, when the Skins break which are often bloody, because mostly blood's mixed with them, but immediately after the burden is loosened there flows pure blood, but after the 1st day there comes waterish humours, when the Vessels close; then they become thickish by heat, more or less as they come in greater or lesser quantity, and the length of time they stay there, and then they resemble troubled milk, which makes People believe 'tis Breast milk.  
Now I believe the cause of their change of colour, consistence, and diminution of ●heir quantity, to be no other than that in ●he suppuration of a great wound; as soon ●s 'tis made it bleeds fresh, and much but ●fter it yields only bloodish humours, than a white matter; so you must imagine there is a kind of wound made by loosening the burden from the Womb, and what comes from it is the Lochia: so that they are not what hath stayed in and about the Womb, during all the time of Childbearing; for that's the Secundine; neither is their any certain rule for their quantity and continuance, being according to the Season, Country, Age, Temper more or less, hot, or moist, the habit more or less full, and Vessels remaining long or short time open: but 'tis finished commonly in 15 or 20 days; but after a mischance the less the fetus is, and the less time she is gone with Child, the less are the Lochia.  
If they be fresh but the 3 or 4 first days they are good, else 'tis a pure bloody flux, which will be very dangerous; if of no ill scent, without sharpness, so we know the Womb's without inflammation or corruption, and if they flow in so great quantity as to cause Faintings or Convulsions she's in danger of death, or very much weakened, grows lean, and pale, Legs and Thighs swell, and becomes Dropsical.  
The diseases ensue upon their stopping are almost innumerable, so that to bring them down let her avoid all troubles of Spirit, lie quiet, with her Head and Breast a little raised; if Feverish use only broths with a little jelly, above all eat cold drink; give Clysters, and foment her lower parts rub her Thighs and Legs downwards, and bathe them too, and apply large Cupping-Glasses, to the uppermost part of the inside of her Thighs; bleed i'th' Arm first; if very full of humours, for i'th' Foot would draw too much to the Womb.   

SECT. VII. Of the Inflammation etc. of the Womb.  
THis is very dangerous, and the death of most; caused from the Lochia stopped, or bruise; by two hard swaths, falling out o'th' Womb, etc. an Impostume or Cancer follows a bruise, if not death; wherefore temper the heat and humours (first extracting or causing the expulsion of strange things remaining i'th' Womb; using not the least violence) with Veal or Pullet broth, with Lettuce, Purselan, Succory, Sorrel; abstain from Wine, keep quiet in Bed, with anodine Clysters, and bleed i'th' Arm, not i'th' Foot; reiterate it, because 'tis very pressing, till the greatest part of fullness be a little evacuated, an inflammation diminished, then i'th' Foot if need; injecting in the Womb Barley water with Oil of Violets, or milk. An Apostume, Schyrrhus' or Cancer is the Physicians or Chirurgeons work.   

SECT. VIII. Of the Inflammation and Apostemation of the Breasts.  
THe Breasts being made of a spongy substance, easily receive in too great abundance, the humours flowing to them from all parts by blood; being overheat by throws and pains in travel, and so are soon inflamed; being then painfully stretched; to which helps the suppression of the Lochia, and a fullness of the whole Body; or it may happen from having been too straight laced, some blow, or bruise by lying upon them, or for not giving the Child milk.  
Now convenient remedies are speedily to be applied lest dangerous symptoms follow; wherefore the certainest means to hinder the Flux of so great quantity of blood to the Breasts, is to procure a large evacuation of the Lochia; the habit of the body is to be emptied by bleeding i'th' the Arm; after i'th' Foot; chase into the breasts Oil of Roses and Vinegar beat together, laying upon them unguentum refrigerens Galeni, or unguentum album, and a 3d part of populeon mixed, or a pultis of the settle in a Cutler's Grinstone-trough, Oil of Roses and a little Vinegar mixed together. If the pain continue great, take the crumbs of white bread and milk with Oil of Roses and the yolks of raw Eggs, upon all these may compresses be laid dipped in Vinegar and water, or plantain water.  
When you have emptied the greatest part of the humours, and the height of the Inflammation is past, then draw the milk; or else, unless it be turned to matter, pure Honey laid to them resolves milk; or a Cabbage leaf anointed therewith being first a little withered and the hard stalks and veins taken away; lace not too straight, nor apply course clothes. A whole red Cabbage boiled in River water to a pap, and well bruised in a wooden or Marble Mortar, and pulped through a Sieve, adding Oil of Comomil, is a very good pultis.  
Let her diet be cool, not very nourishing, keep her body open, lying on her Back in Bed, all the while; stir her Arms as little as may be, and after the 14th or 15th day of her delivery, being sufficiently cleansed, and inflammation abated, and no longer Feverish, purge her once or twice; and if for all these the swelling goes not down, but she feels great beating and pain, a hardness more in one place then another, of a livid colour and soft i'th' middle 'tis certain 'twill apostemate: then apply ripening Medicines, as a pultis of Mallows, Marsh-Mallows with their roots, Lily roots and Linseed bruised, boiled to pap, and pulped through a sieve, then add a good quantity of Hog's Grease or Basilicon, laying a little cloth thick spread with Basilicon upon the place where 'tis likely soon to break, and the pultis all over it, renewing it 12 hours after, continuing till it be full ripe; then if it open not of itself, it must be opened by a Lancet or Incision knife, which being the Surgeon's work, he is to do it.   

SECT. IX. Of the curdling of the Milk in the Breasts.  
BEcause her Body was much moved dureing Labour; in the beginning of Childbed her Milk is not well purified, and is mixed with many other humours, which, if 01 they are then sent to the Breasts in too great quantity, cause an Inflammation, but when the Child hath sucked 15 or 20, or more days, then only the Milk, without other mixture contained there; which sometimes curdles, and the Breasts become hard and rugged, without any redness, and the separation of all the kernels filled with curdled Milk may easily be perceived; she finds a great pain, and cannot milk them; with a shivering, chief about the middle of her Back, like Ice; which is usually followed by a Fever of 24 hours long, and sometimes less; if it do not turn into an Inflammation of the Breasts, which it will undoubtedly do, if it be not em●ied, scattered and dissolved.  
This clodding comes mostly because the Breasts are not fully drawn; either for that she hath too much Milk; or the Child is too weak to such all, or because she doth not desire to be a Nurse: for the Milk staying in the Breasts looseth its sweetness, and by souring curdles. This may also happen from taking cold, or not covering her Breasts.  
The readiest and surest remedy, from what cause soever, is speedily to draw the Breasts, till they be emptied, and if the Child cannot, because she is hard milched, let a Woman, till it comes freely, and then the Child will; and that she may not after breed more Milk than the Child can draw, let her diet breed but little nourishment, and keep her body always open. But when she neither can nor will be Nurse, than her Breasts must not be drawn; for drawing more humours, the Disease will return, if not again emptied. Wherefore 'tis necessary to prevent coming of any more Milk, and to scatter that which is there; by empting the fullness of the body by bleeding i'th' Arm and Foot; and strong Clysters, and purging if needful; and to resolve the curdled Milk, apply a pultis of pure Honey; or of powder of Linseed, Fenugreek, Beans and Vetches, boiled in a decoction of Sage, Smallage, Fennel, Milk, adding Oil of Camomile; anointing with the Oil first.   

SECT. X. Of chopping etc. and loss of the Nipples.  
WOmen are subject the first time to have their Nipples chopped, which is unsufferable, and the more if hard milched, as the first time, when the Milk hath not yet made way through the small holes of the Nipples, which are not yet thoroughly opened, and then the Child takes more pains to suck; and sometimes these chaps do so increase by the Child's sucking, that the Niple's taken quite off the Breast, and there rests an Ulcer very hard to be cured. This may happen from the Child's being so dry and hungry that it hath not patience to suck softly, but finding the Milk not speedily to follow as they desire, by't and pinch the Nipple so hard that it becomes raw, and at last take it quite away. This happens also when Infants have hot mouths, or thrushes, or the pox soon.  
These must not be neglected, as well because of the great pain, as to avoid their growing worse and worse. Therefore as soon as they begin forbear giving suck, keeping back her milk for a small time; and if but one Nipple be sore, she may suckle with the other; Applying Alum or Limewater, or only bathe them with Plantain water, putting soft rags dipped in any of them or a ceruse plaster, or Diapompholigos, or a little starch powdered; but chief take care that nothing be applied to distaste the Child; wherefore many use only Honey of Roses. Softening remedies are fit to preserve from chaps, but when they are already made, dryers are best, and to prevent her from hurts in these parts, and that the rags may not stick to them, put upon them a little Wax, or wooden caps, or leaden ones, they being more drying, like these in the Figure; having several small holes on their tops, as well to give issue to the matter, as that the Milk may pass away.  
If the Nipples are wholly sucked off, then dry the Milk up; and if the Child have the pox, put it to another who must use preservatives against it: but if they be only small, simple Ulcers i'th' Mouth without any Malignity, wash them only with Barley water with a little juice of Citrons or Lemons; and let the Nurse use a cooling diet, and bleed and purge if necessary.  
The Child can take no hold when the Nipples are quite gone, and the small holes are closed up; but if she shall desire to give suck, let Woman by degrees make her new Nipples (after the Ulcer's perfectly healed) and unstop the root of the old ones: or using an Instrument of Glass, as in the Figure, she may suck them herself 5 or 6 times a day; and to preserve them, and shape them, thus drawn out, from sinking into the Breasts again, let her put a small cap upon them as before, and so by degrees she may give suck again.  
Dr. Thus far good Mrs. Eutrapelia, have you expressed yourself very knowingly in your Art, as to what we have hitherto treated of concerning Women; there now remains something that I would be satisfied of how far your skill consists in, and that is concerning the Diseases of little Children; because you coming often to visit the Mother, if any thing be a miss about her Infant, it is a common custom to desire the advice of the Midwife in such cases, rather than run presently to the Physician or Chirurgeon. But first let me hear your opinion about the choice of a Nurse.  
Mid. Sir as I have been very happy to have satisfied you to the best of my knowledge in what concerns Women, before, in, and after their Lying in Childbed; so likewise shall I answer your request as to what concerns little Children and the Distempers and Symptoms happening to them, and first of the nature and qualities of the Nurse; and if the Mother be the fittest Nurse?    

PART. iv Of the Diseases and Symptoms happening to little Children: and of the choice of a Nurse.  

SECT. I. What manner of Woman a Nurse ought to be; and whether the Mother be the best Nurse.  
Mid. FIrst of all Sir there is, and hath been always divers opinions concerning Nurses, whether the Mother be fittest for that office, or a stranger? as for what my thoughts are concerning the matter, with submission to your better judgement in this and all other cases, I shall fully disclose them to you.  
Now Sir some are for the Mother's sucking her own Child, and will bring you Scripture for it too; for say they did not Sarah Nurse Isaac? therefore every Woman ought to Nurse her own Child; but this is but a weak Argument; for, from Scripture, to retort their Argument on them, David was a King and a Prophet, therefore every man must be a King, and every King a Prophet: others again give you profound reasons; as they imagine; as that the Mother's milk is most convenient for the Child, because it partakes of her nature; But I would ask these People, whether every Choleric Woman hath Choleric Children; or every Phlegmatic Woman Phlegmatic Children? and so of the rest: Another reason is, because the Woman they say cannot love her Child, unless she give it suck her own self. But if she do not for all that, in my opinion she is very inhuman and unnatural.  
Others again are of a quite contrary opinion, and thwart all this; for first say these, the Child draws its conditions from its Nurse, to prove which they quote several examples; as Alcibiades being an Athenian, was so strong and valiant because he sucked a Spartan Woman: but Cornelius Tacitus says the Germans were such strong boned men, because they sucked their own Mothers; then why had not Alciliades been so if he had sucked his? But all Authors generally describing of what complexion and condition a Nurse ought to be, if every Woman then must Nurse her own Child, any complexion must then of necessity serve the turn.  
Since the choice of a Nurse is of so great a concernment; (as upon which, the future being of the infant consists) surely this, then requires many serious considerations, For, though she may have milk enough; yet perhaps not good enough; or the woman either sluttish, or unhandy, or careless in the swathing and the dressing of the Child; by which many children (like new vessels, which will keep the savour of that liquor they are first seasoned withal) are sluttish or slovenly so long as they live; or else (being abused at Nurse, are Crooked and Ricketty; full of botches, nasty and nauseous to their own Parents. And many, through their intemperancy, by drinking, to increase their milk, and perhaps make it bad enough, sleep so securely and profoundly, that they overly their Nurseries in the night, and the Children are dead by their sides in the morning. Therefore let nurses sleep so often, that they may hear the least cry of the infant. Let the Nurse then, be of middle stature, and good complexion; active, not fat, (and of a sanguine complexion, if possible) and not in poverty; not under twenty years of Age, not above forty, but rather of twenty five, or thirty. Let not her nipples be great, lest it make the child of a wide mouth, because it cannot suck without the contraction of the lips together and lest by forcing the Tongue into too narrow a compass, it hinders the swallowing of the milk.  
Next, if the nipple be too small, the child is apt to let it slip out of the mouth, and cannot handsomely hold it, so that the infant being frustrated of suck, and yet still exercising suckling, hurts the cheek, and attracts some kind of humours thither, which oftentimes become unnatural Tumours; and oftentimes the cheeks of the infant seem as if they were moved out of their places. Thirdly, by the consent of all, the Nurse must have a large breast (though some think that not so material, because there is more milk collected together in great breasts than aught; and being there, is corrupted, to the prejudice of the Nurse. Wherefore, lest the milk should continue there too long, it is best to have a young lusty child to suck it away; or else to use it some other way; as by the use of young whelps; whom I have seen die with sucking women's milk; surely the reason must be, because the milk was of another nature; or else, because curdled and corrupted or milked out some other way; especially, when the Nurse perceives herself prejudiced by it. But it is ever best, that she abound, rather than want Milk; and then in this case it is best they be big, though all Nurses need not have big breasts; for there may be as much Milk, if not more, in a lesser breast, than in a great one.  
The next enquiry will be into the manners and behaviour of a Nurse.  
The best Nurse than is, she that is mild, chaste, sober, courteous, cheerful, lively, neat, cleanly, and handy; because bad conditions, as well as good, are sucked in with the milk, and so radicated, that it is a hard matter to pull out the bad conditions, and leave the good behind, but that there will be a remainder of the bad conditions, perhaps so long as they live: wherefore, let not the Nurse be of an angry, malapert, and saucy disposition, shameless, scolding, or quarrelsome; not gluttonous, but so careful of her Nursery, that she neither eat or drink that which may be hurtful to the Infant: That she do nothing to anger herself, to grieve, or sad herself; for such passions will presently distribute themselves, to the prejudice of the Infant; than which there is nothing of more efficacy to destroy the goodness of the Milk.  
Neither is it sufficient that they abstain from the use of their husbands; but when they have wanton thoughts, and lascivious minds, wholly upon Luxury and Venery, they cast off all care of the Nurseries, and dreaming at night of that which their minds run on in the day, and by other filthy pollutions they infect the milk. So also, by the use of their Husbands the Courses are stirred up, by which both the plenty and goodness of milk is derived another way; and so the Child rob of its nutriment; or else the Nurse conceiveth with Child, and so the Infant becometh diseased and Ricketty, by sucking curdy and unwholesome milk, and is worse for it during life.  
Therefore let all those things be avoided, that either do, or are supposed to provoke lust; as, junkets made with spices; also Onions, Leeks, Garlick, and all salt meats are to be avoided: Persly and Smallage, some say, have a peculiar malice to the increase of milk: besides that, it doth increase lust, and is an enemy to the growth of Infants.  
Again, that Nurse were best, that hath lately been brought to bed of a Boy if to Nurse a Boy, the milk of such a Nurse being better tempered. For the milk of a Male Child will make a Female Nursery more sprightly, and a man like Virago; and the milk of a girl will make a boy the more effeminate.  
As to the milk, let it be a mean, betwixt thick and thin; which you may perceive, by dropping it upon the Thumb-Nails; for if it be too thin, it will run off the sooner; but if thicker, it will stay the longer: let it be sweet, and pleasant, both to the smell and taste; not offending the palate with rancidness, sourness, sharpness, or saltness; or the nostrils with any strange quality. Let it be candid to the sight, in itself equal in each particles, not infested with brown, yellow, green, blue, or any other evil colour; or, as sometimes, with various colours and substance; as, with lines, and streaks upon it: but let that milk be most praiseworthy, that makes as much curd as whey; which may be tried by this Experiment, viz.  
Put some of this milk into a glass, and pu● in some Myrrh, or Rennet; which being stirred together, will cured, and then may the contents be separated: the trial is, that i● there be most whey, then is the milk thinne● in its substance; but if most of curd, 'tis thicker: yet all these may be corrected and amended; for that which is too thick may be mended by an extenuating diet, and the phlegmatic matter may be avoided by a vomit of Oxymel, and Exercise before meat▪ the better to consume and attenuate the thickness of it.  
The thinness of Milk is amended by contrary food, such as doth incrassate it: as Fromenty of Wheat, and Rice; Hogs-feets, Calves-feets, Trotters, and sweet Wine unless somewhat else be in the way to hinder it. Sometimes it happens that the Milk is more tart than it ought to be: wherefore then, all diligence must be had to feed upon such meats as are of the best juice, till that acrimony at least be attempered.  
Sometimes there is little or no milk in the breasts; as after some sickness, or notable distemper, now turned into a bad habit, or any other of what kind soever, that possesseth those parts, or is the cause: but that shall not be our business to consider of now.  
Now, if these be not the causes, let the Nurse use supping meats, as Broths, Possets, etc. and eat plentifully, and use rubbings to her Breasts and Duggs, exercising her hands and her Arms by domestic Employments; or instead thereof, let her dance the Child, by which the aliment may be recalled into those parts.  
Sometimes cupping-glasses to the Breasts, with a fomentation of emollient herbs boiled in water, and applied warm, either with sponges, or wollen-clothes; after which, chafe them with oil of Lilies. The seeds of Fennel, and the roots of Parsnips boiled in Barleywater, and buttered. The broth of Hens, or Capons, with Cinnamon and Mace.  
Or Poch'd-eggs, with the seeds of Annis, and Dill; and all things else that are hot in the first and second degree, are good. Earth Worms, (not dunghill ones,) six or seven of them dried, and powdered, and drank in Barleywater sugared, for a fortnight together.  
All these may be of good use in the defect of Milk. As to the inconveniency (if there be any) in too much Milk. If the Milk abound too much, which sometimes is (though seldom) blamable; Then use the decoction of Myrtleberries, and red Roses, and with clothes dipped in it, lay them on the Breasts. Or else clothes imbibed in Vinegar, wherein Cumin-seeds bruised have been infused with Myrrh and Camphire.  
By reason of the thickness of the Milk, all those excrements that the Child should send forth, are intercepted; as by Stool, by Urine, etc. The passages for transpiration are stuffed up, so that the progress of the aliment being stopped, of necessity the Milk must be vomited up; after which will follow much phlegmatic matter, a sure argument of crudities.  
Sometimes there will arise botches about the Body; much matter, and snot, and quittor will come out of the Nose, and corners of the Eyes, and Eyelids; and the appetite will be lost.  
Contrarily, from the thinner and sharpe● sort of Milk, the Belly is loser than i● ought, being troubled with pinches an● gripes in the belly of the infant.  
Also, very angry pustules and whelks will arise about the body, like the small Pox; and the body groweth weak by little and little, the Infant not caring for food; for the strength of the appetite will be more remiss, by reason of the sharpness of that which the Infant desires; so that it is not much sensible of that aliment which it hath; and that aliment of which it is sensible is naught, and vicious.  
Now, as from the over-bundance of Milk, the Infant oftentimes, when it sucks, is overwhelmed, being so puffed up, and the belly distended, as if it would break; until by much pissing, or breaking wind, it is slacker. So where there is too much scarcity of milk, there the Infant being altogether destitute of its nourishment, will pine away; and all the parts of the body being starved, in those years when it most wants nourishment, by reason of vehemency of the innate heat, and that habit of body (that the least blast will puff down) which requires much, and constant aliment.  
By all which, Women ought to be the more provident, lest all these mischiefs happen, (especially, not to make choice of such a Nurse, whose poverty must needs starve herself, and her Nursery; and if they should so happen, to amend them, as hath been said before)  they grow incurable, and require the help of another Artist that may cure it.  
Or, if the fault in the milk cannot be cured and amended in the Nurse, (which she hath contracted,) Than you have no more to do, but presently to look for another Nurse, that hath none of these inconveniencies; that so the Infant may have suck enough, which is all it requires; for want of which, you may hear sad crying, and weeping. And this may be discovered by their dreams, as by the often motion of the lips in the cradle, as if they were sucking when they are a sleep.  
Neither is it strange, that the Infant should be sensible of, and Participate of whatsoever food (as meat, drink, and Physic,) that the Nurse taketh: which maketh Physicians purge the Nurse, to cure the Child: if a woman take any purging Physic, she purgeth her Child also. So, Galen reports that of Goats, feeding in Asia, where Scammony grow, did communicate a purging faculty to their milk. And so the milk of Asses, generally accounted best in Consumptions, is counted better, if the Ass be fed with such herbs, as Maidenhair, etc. And again, when young Goats suck Sheeps-milk, the rough hair shall lose its coursness, and become like a fleece of wool: and so contrarily, when Lambs are brought up by Goats, their wool groweth the more hairy.  
If then the qualities of the milk pass into those that suck them, (as without doubt they do) it is easy to gather, that other impurities follow thither also, neither is it improbable. Surely then, we ought to take no less care of the Nurse than of the Child; as in her diet, exercise, physic, etc. since, whatsoever conduceth to the benefit of the Nurse, tends to the good and welfare of the Infant.  
I have been the larger upon this Sir of Nurses, and Milk, because tender Infants can neither make choice of their Nurses themselves; nor discover, or plead for their wants: Their own Mothers, surely, (if they are able) both by duty, and nature, being the most fit to Nurse their own Children; which the greatest Ladies may do, with the greatest conveniences; by reason of their plenty of all things; besides, their attendance of servants, who can bring their Nurseries to them at all hours, be it by night or day, and take it from them again, not to disturb their rest: which also, they may tend at their own pleasures.  
The longest time that a Child need be suckled, is till it have teeth to chew with. I shall leave only one caution for Nurses, and and so wind up: and 'tis this: Let Nurses ever milk out some Milk  they suckle the Child; and after it is suckled, that they rock it not too much presently after, lest violent rocking disturb the meat in the stomach; or the other parts draw away the Milk in the stomach, as yet unconcocted.  
Dr. Thus far have you done very well good Mrs. Eutrapelia, as in all other things so as to what concerns the Choice and office of Nurses; and now if you please you shall hear a few of my observations about the same matter, which it may be, may not be unwelcome to you.  
Then you must know that I have taken notice of 2 sorts of Nurses, which I have observed in the World; The one sort is such as are of an ill humour or blood; the which settle in their Milk, being the place at that time where they discharge themselves.  
Now you must note that these sort of Women are in a better condition when they are Nurses then when they are not; for when they are not Nurses, they are subject to pains in their Arms sometimes, and sometimes in their Shoulders, and sometimes in their Legs or Thighs; or else they are subject to waterish Eyes, or swelling in their Eyes or Nose.  
Now the Infants which suck these Nurses, if they be fat, 'tis not good but soft fat, and they are dull and sottish; and coming to breed Teeth they are very sickly and commonly die, by reason of the reum pushing out of too many Teeth at once; and if they escape this they are more troubled with bad juices in their Infancy, than their Parents in their old age; and if the reum be salt the Milk is of a blackish and bluish colour; but if it be of Choler, 'tis yet the more dangerous and venomous to the Children.  
There is another sort of Nurses, and they are such as who after they have lain in, about some 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 months, are taken with their purgations; a thing which never happens to good Nurses; and when this does happen they are more dangerous than the former, and the Child must presently be taken away, for they are more apt to conceive then to Nurse; and if they do continue Nurses they do but ruin the Children; for there dies a third part of the Children, for want of taking care in this particular, which yet seem fat and in good case; for this is the cause of great colic, and windiness in Infants which kills them in a moment; for the least Fever that takes them carries them away.  
And now to come home to the purpose, let me tell you the first and principal of all the qualities in a good Nurse, is that she be the Childs own Mother, as well because of the mutual sympathy of their tempers, as that having much more love for it, she will be much more careful than an hired Nurse, who commonly loves her Nurse Child but with a feigned love; so that the Mother, though she be not the best Nurse, should always be preferred before another.  
But because there are divers that either will not, or cannot suckle their own Children, there is then an Obligation to provide another Nurse; which should be chosen for the Child's good, as near as may be. For even as we see trees, of the same kind, and growing in the same, yet being afterwards transplanted to another Soil, do produce fruits of a different taste, by reason of the nourishment they draw from thence; even so it fares with the health of Children; and their manners sometimes depend on the nourishment they receive at the beginning; for as the health of the body answers to the humours that all the parts are nourished with, which humours always retain the nature of the food whereof they are engendered; and as for the manners they commonly follow the temperament, which likewise proceeds from the nature of the humours, and the humours from the food; from whence may be drawn this consequence, that as the Nurse is, so will the Child be both in body and mind by means of the nourishment it draws from her.  
This may plainly appear in Animals that suck a strange dam; for they always purchase something of the nature of the Creature they suck; being accordingly either of a mild or fierce nature, of a strong or weak body; as may be seen in young Lions which will become tame by sucking a domestic Animal, as a Cow, Ass, or Goat, and on the other side a Dog will become more furious if it sucks a Wolf.  
Now the necessary conditions requisite in a good Nurse, are usually taken from her Age, the time and manner of her Labour, the Constitution of all the parts of her Body, and particularly of her Breasts, the nature of her Milk, and lastly from her manners.  
As concerning her Age, the most convenient is from 25 to 35 years of Age; Then as to the time and manner of her Labour, it must be at least a month or 6 weeks after that, and not above 5 or 6 months; she must not have miscarried, and she must have lain in of a 2d or third Child, that she may know the better how to perform her Office.  
As to the healthful constitution of her body, 'tis the principal thing, on which almost all the rest depend, for she ought to come of Parents that never had the stone in the Reins or Bladder, or Gout, Kings-Evil, Falling-sickness, or any other hereditary distemper; that she have no Scab, or Itch, and that she be strong, neither too tall, nor too low; not too fat, nor too lean, and above all she must not be with Child; let her be of a Sanguine Complexion, which is known by her Vermilion colour, not altogether so red, but inclining to white; of a firm, fast flesh; not subject to the Whites, for that's a sign of a bad habit; not red haired, nor marked with red spots; but black haired, or of a Chestnut brown; neat in her , of a sprightly Eye, and a smiling countenance, sound and white Teeth, for if they be rotten her breath may smell; having a good voice to please and rejoice the Child, and a clear and free pronunciation that the Child learn, not an ill accent from her, as usually red haired have, and sometimes those that are very black haired with white Skins; for their Milk is hot, sharp and stinking, and also of an ill Taste.  
Her Breasts ought to be pretty big to receive and concoct a sufficient quantity of milk; being sound and free from scars, proceeding from former Impostumes; being indifferent firm and fleshy, that their natural heat may be the stronger; she must be broad breasted that her Milk may have the more room to be prepared and digested in, and because 'tis a sign of a great deal of vital heat.  
As to her Nipples they must be well shaped as you observed, not too big, nor too hard, nor gristly, nor sunk in too deep; but they must be a little raised, and of a moderate bigness and firmness, with many little holes, that she may be soft milched, to the end the Child may not take too much pains to draw the milk by sucking them and pressing them with its Mouth.  
All these good qualities being found in a Nurse, respecting all the parts of her. Body, there needs be no fear but her Milk will be good; The which may be known first by its quantity, the which ought to be sufficient for the Child's nourishment, and not too much, lest it not being all drawn forth, it curdle and inflame the Breast, by its too long stay there; however it is better to have too much then too little, for she may give the overplus to another Child: it must not be too waterish, nor to thick; but of a middle consistence; the which may be easily judged, if she milking some into her hand, and turning it a little on one side, it immediately turns off; but if it remains fixed, 'tis a mark 'tis too thick and clammy; and this if she have but little of, it will stick upon the Child's tongue, palate, and throat, and so cause as it were a white Cancer, which is more and more heated by reason of their forceable sucking in vain, and they are hereby hindered from sucking: These Nurse's will after this Milk a drop or two out of their Breasts, and cry look ye the Child cares not for sucking.  
There is no greater abuse in any thing then in Nurses, for let them make what pretence they will, 'tis nothing but necessity makes them be such: and therefore Mothers ought to have a great care, and to make it their business to surprise the Nurse at her own House, that if there be any miscarriage they may find it out.  
As to the colour of her Milk the whitest is the best, and the less white it is, so much the worse; it must be of a sweet and pleasant smell, which is a sign of a good temper; as may be seen in red haired Women, whose Milk hath a sour bad scent; and to be complete in every quality it must be of a good taste, that is sweet and sugared; without any sharpness or saltness, or other strong taste.  
Lastly to come to the principal and best conditions of a Nurse, which consists in her good manners, I say that she ought to be careful to cleanse the Child as soon as there is occasion; she ought to be prudent, not Choleric nor quarrelsome, as well because it may make bad impressions on the Child, as because it heats her Milk; let her not be Melancholy, but merry and cheerful, smiling often to divert it.  
She must be sober, not given to Wine or other strong Liquors, and yet less to the excess of Venus; but she may moderately use the first, and not wholly abstain from the 2d, if her nature require it; so it be with her Husband: which liberty is freely given then by the great Physician Jubertus in the 7th chap. of the 5th book of his Popular Errors▪ being founded upon the Experience of al● poor Women, who bring up their Children very well, notwithstanding they lie every Night with their Husbands; and from his own, alleging that his Wife had Nursed his Children all very well, although he lay with her every Night, and carressed her, as he said, like a good and faithful Husband; but she must forbear, at least an hour or two after, to give the Child suck.  
In fine if a Nurse hath all, or most of these Conditions, as well respecting her Person a● manners, and that she maintains this condition by a diet sit for the Child's temper, an● not contrary to her own, there is then grea● reason to believe she is very sit to make a very good Nurse of, and to bring up the So● of a Prince in perfect health.  
And now good Mrs. Midwife, proceed to show your skill concerning the diseases of little Children.   

SECT. II. Of the Diseases and Symptoms which happen to Children, and first of their Diseases in general.  
Mid. SIr withal my heart, I shall gladly unfold to you the very depth of my skill and knowledge in this affair, and would humbly entreat you that you would be pleased to correct me, if I shall, at any time, offer to utter any thing that may not be according to the rules of art, and the practice of learned Physicians; for truly Sir, we Midwives must needs acknowledge ourselves to have received most of our skill and knowledge from the writings, conferences and directions of learned Physicians; Now then Sir, I have read that Hypocrates divides children's diseases according to their ages. When he, like an Oracle, lays down, that in newborn Children there are Ulcers in the Mouth; Vomitings, Coughs, Watch, Fears, Inflammation of the Navel, moistness of the Ears: at breeding of their Teeth their Gums itch and they fall into Fevers and Convulsions, and a looseness of the belly when they breed their Eye Teeth. When they grow older their Tonsils are inflamed; the joints of the Neck are sprained inwardly, their breath's short; they have the stone and round Worms, Warts, standing Yards, Strangury, Kings-Evil, and other swell; then besides these here mentioned, by the divine Hypocrates, they have other Diseases at other times; as that they are generally infected with the Smallpox, and Meazels, none or few escaping; Tongue tied, Chafing, etc. concerning which I shall now in particular give you my method of cure; beginning first with Fevers, Smallpox, and Meazels, as the most general.   

SECT. III. Of Fevers, Meazels, and Smallpox, in little Children.  
CHildren are subject to all sorts of Fevers, but chief that of corrupt Milk, which is commonly from Choler; 1st. therefore give cooling and moistening things to the Nurse, as Lettuce, Endive, Succory, etc. and Emulsions of Barleywater with the four cold seeds, Barley cream, then purge her gently with Manna, Cassia Fistularis, Lenitive Electuary; etc. then give altering remedies to the Infant, as Syrup of Violets, Lemons, Citrons, etc. dissolved in Endive or Cichory, or Borage, or Bugloss water; 4 ounces of water to one of Syrup; to which you may add a little white Rose water to make it the more palatable. If the Fever proceed from breeding Teeth, abate the pain, of which hereafter, and give alterers as abovesaid.  
In the Smallpox and Meazels you have nothing to do but to observe Nature's motions in the driving them forth, and to assist her if, you see her any ways weak or obstructed, by giving the Child a little Claret with Syrup of Clove Gillyflowers, and a little Treacle water; but be sure have a care that you increase not the Fever; Cochenele, and Bezoar and Saffron are excellent likewise.   

SECT. iv Of the milky scab, Achores, Scald-Head and Lice.  
THe milky Scab is at first sucking, the Achores after; the Achores are not white, but the other are; and possess the whole body, the Achores only Head and Face; but are cured a like. They are commonly thought to be healthful when they run; because they prevent Convulsions, etc. and they often cure of themselves in time; but if the matter be very sharp they pierce the Skull. Dry these up not rashly, so they disfigure not the Face, or endanger the Eyes; but first try to drive them forth with such things as you were told in the Small Pox: let the Nurse forbear sharp salt things, prepare her Body with borage, Succory, Endive, Bugloss, Fumetory, Polypody and Dock roots, and then purge her with Sena, Polypody, Epithymum, etc. If you fear it will turn to a scald Head, foment it with a decoction of Mallows, Barley, Celandine, Wormwood, Marsh-mallows boiled in Boys urine and Barley water, and then anoint with Oil of Roses, and Lytharge of Gold: and if the Scull come to be bare, dress it with Honey of Roses and Brandy; and after with Powder of round birth-wort, and Balsam of Peru, Turpentine and Tobacco water.  
If you have occasion to use stronger Medicines for a scald Head, take sulphur 2 drams Mustard seed half a dram, Stavesacre, bryony roots, each 1 dram; Vinegar 1 ounce, Turpentine half an ounce, with as much Bear's Grease as will make it into an Ointment: or beat water-Cresses with Hog's Grease. When the Scab is fallen off pull the hair out by the roots, with instruments or Medicines; commonly they use a pitched cap, and pull it violently to bring away the Hair: or take Starch or Wheat-flower 2 ounces, Rosin half an ounce, boil them in water to the consistence of a pultis, lay it upon the several Scalds, let it stick some days, then pluck it off violently.  
For Lice, to prevent them, let them not eat food of ill juice as Figs, etc. let her Head be often combed and washed, and purge the Nurse or Child; then give things to draw the humour out as you have been taught, and then consume the superfluous moisture; as with this, take Elacampana 2 ounces, Briony roots half an ounce, Beets, herb Mercury, Soap-wort, each an handful, Nitre half an ounce, Lupins 2 drams; boil them for a Lotion, then anoint them with this following, take powder of Stavesacre 3 drams, Lupins half an ounce, Agaric 2 drams, quick Sulphur; a dram and half, Ox gall half an ounce, with oil of Wormwood as much as will suffice to make it into an Ointment.   

SECT. V Of the watery swelling of the Head.  
WE speak here of the water without the Skull; for which take 30 snails with their shells, Marjoram, Mugwort each an handful, with oil of Chamomil make a pultis; and snuff up this water often: take Nutmegs, Cloves, Cubebs, each a scruple Calamus Aromaticus, Frankincense bark each half a dram, Majoram water 3 ounces; If in 20 days this doth not the cure, than you must consult with the able Surgeon for the opening it.   

SECT. VI Of Frights in the Sleep, and Watching.  
YOu must see to cure this presently, for 'tis the forerunner of the Falling-sickness: give good Milk, and not too much to overcharge the Stomach; let not the Child sleep presently after food, but carry it about, and Jog it to the bottom of the Stomach, give it 2 or 3 spoonfuls of oil of Sweet Almonds or Honey of Roses. If it come from a Fever, Teeth or Worms, they are treated of a part.  
As for the Child's watching you must take notice, that a new born one sleeps more than it wakes; because its brain is very moist and it slept in the Womb. If you cannot make it sleep by singing or rocking, etc. 'tis a Disease, and if not cured will produce Catarrhs, Convulsions, Fevers, etc.  
If it proceed from bad Milk, that must be amended; if from a Fever or pain, remove them, and give sleeping Medicines to the Nurse, if that will not do, you may venture a little Lettuce or Purcelan water.   

SECT. VII. Of the Falling-sickness and Convulsion.  
THe first is either by consent from parts below, when the Milk corrupts in the Stomach; or from its ill quality from the Nurse's bad diet; or from Worms or Vapours; or from the brain first, when humours are bred there that cause it; or from Toothache, or sudden fright.  
To prevent it give the Child as soon as 'tis born, oil of Sweet Almonds, Sugar-Candy, and Anniseeds powdered. The Florentines apply a Caustick to the hinder part of the Head; the best part of the cure is the Nurse's diet. If from corrupt Milk provoke vomit by holding down the Tongue, and pour some Oil of sweet Almonds down the Throat. The same means may be used in Convulsions, only anointing the spin of the back with Oil of Chamomil, St. John's wort, Worms, Goose-grease, Fox's Oil, etc.   

SECT. VIII. Of pain in the Ears, Moisture, Ulcers and Worms.  
THe first is allayed by using warm Milk to them, or Oil of Violets, or the decoction of Poppies: for the moisture take Honey of Roses, and Aqua Mellis, and drop them into the Ears; for Worms they are killed by washing the Ears with white Wine, wherein Wormwood hath been boiled, or drop in Hemp Oil with a little Wine.   

SECT. IX. Of the Thrush, bladders of the Gums, and Inflammation of the Tonsils.  
FOr the first, wash the Mouth with Plantain water, and Syrup of Mulberries, with a little Sal Prunella; the Bladders are cured by taking the powder of Lentils husked and laid upon them. If the Tonsils of Infants chance to be inflamed, give them Honey of Roses, Myrtles, Pomegranates, and Diamoron inwardly, and oil of sweet Almonds, Camomile and St. John's wort outwardly.   

SECT. X. Of the breeding of Teeth.  
HEre the pain is great, and many time kills the Child; it happens about the 7th Month; they breed first the fore Teeth, than the Eye-teeths, and last of all the grinders, 'tis known by the Child's often putting its Fingers to its Mouth, by holding the Nipple faster than before; and the Gum is white where the Tooth gins to come. If the Teeth are long a breeding it causes Fevers and Convulsions, of which many dye. Their hard breeding is from thickness and hardness of the Gums, therefore soften and loosen them by rubbing them with your Fingers dipped in Honey and Butter; or with the mucilage of Quinces made with Mallow water; If the Gums be inflamed add the juice of Houseleek and cream; and let the Nurse keep a temperate diet.   

SECT. XI. Of a Catarrh, Cough and difficult breathing.  
THese proceed from much Milk that burdens the Stomach, and many vapours from thence filling the Brain, and if the brain be full of excrements they are dissolved, either by inward heat or outward cold; and so distil upon the Nose, Jaws, or Lungs, which causes a Cough, or short breathing; moreover much food makes crudities in the first passages; and Phlegmatic humours are bred by the Liver of crudity and thick humours whence unconcocted blood is sent by the Arterial Veins into the Lungs, and pressing the pipes of the Lungs causeth difficult Breathing.  
First, let the Nurse keep a good diet, and fill not the Child's Stomach too full with Milk or other diet; and let the Nurse forbear all hot, sharp, salt, sour things, and such as fill the Head with Vapours; and give her a pectoral decoction such as this; take Figs and Jujubes, each 10, Sebestens 30, Raisins stoned 10 drams, Liquorice 2 drams, Maiden hair and Violets each an ounce and half, boil them in 3 pints of water, till the 3d part be boiled away, let her take 6 or 8 ounces of this every morning, keep the belly open with Syrup of Roses, Cassia or a Clyster, or hold down the Tongue to provoke vomiting, give syrup of Jujubes, Maiden hair, if the matter be thick, give syrup of Hyssop or Hore hound; or an emulsion of oil of sweet Almonds and Pine-nuts, made with Scabions water; or make a Lohoc of diarios, Diatragacanth. frigid, penids and syrup of jujubes. If it be hot give Emulsions of the 4 great cold Seeds, made with Barleywater and Almonds.   

SECT. XII. Of the Hiccup and Vomiting.  
THey come from corruption of the food in the Stomach, or over fullness of milk or cold Air; these hurt the expulsive faculty, which stirs itself up to expel what offends it. If from fullness of Milk the belly swells, and there follows Vomiting; if from corruption of Milk it may be the Nurse hath bad Milk, the Child cries and is in pain, and the excrements smell of stinking Milk. If from corruption, put a feather dipped in oil to cause Vomiting, then strengthen the Stomach with syrup of Mints, Quinces, or Betony, etc.  
Vomiting is from too much or bad Milk, or from a moist Stomach, for as dryness retains, so moistness loosens. If from much Milk they are better after vomiting; if from corruption of milk, what's vomited is yellow, green, etc. and stinks; worms are known by their signs, they that vomit from their birth are the lustiest, for the Stomach not being used to meat, and taking too much Milk breeds crudities, or corrupts the Milk, and 'tis better to vomit these up; but if it last long, it causes a washing; If from too much Milk give it less; if corrupted amend it; as before, and cleanse the Child with Honey of Roses and then strengthen the Stomach, as before; and if the humour be sharp and hot, give syrup of Pomegranates, Currants, Coral. Apply Emplastrum crusta panis, or the stomach cerat to the Stomach.   

SECT. XIII. Of the pains and puffing of the Belly.  
PAins are often with a Flux, from corrupt Milk, which breeds wind and sharp humours; which gnaws the inward parts, so do Worms. The Child cries continually, refuses the Breast, tosses too and fro: if from wind, it breaks wind, and is gone; if from humours 'tis constant, from tough Phlegm, the Belly's bound and dung slimy; from sharp humours there's sign of them, if the pain last long Convulsions, or Falling-sickness follow; If from crude humours and wind, give first a Clyster, of Chicken, Mutton or Veal broth, 3 or 4 ounces, adding Honey of Roses one ounce, with the yelk of an Egg, or give it some Oil of sweet Almonds, with Sugar-candy, and a few Anniseeds powdered, a scuple or so, which purges new born Babes from green choler, and stinking Phlegm: if given with Sugar pap, it allays the pains of the Belly. Anoint the Belly with Oil of Dil; and foment it with a decoction of Camomile flowers, Dil tops, and Bays, twice a day; If pain be from corrupt sharp Milk, give Honey of Roses, or syrup of Succory with Rhubarb; or a Clyster of the decoction of bran with Honey or syrup of Roses, and anoint as before.  
The puffing comes from too much sucking and not concocting, which is cured by a thinner diet that crudities may be concocted; and purging with Honey of Roses.   

SECT. XIV. Of the Flux of the Belly.  
IF from breeding of Teeth see the signs, if from outward cold there are signs of no other causes; if from crude humours there's wind, belching and phlegmatic excrements, but if they be yellow, green, etc. 'tis from a hot and sharp humour. If it last long stop it; if black excrements be voided with a Fever 'tis bad.  
The Child needs not cure so much as the Nurse; mend the Milk, or change the Nurse, and let her not eat green fruit, and things of hard concoction. If it suck not take away the causes with Honey of Roses; then if the cause be hot give syrup of Quinces, dried Roses, Myrtles, with a little fine Bole-Armonack, Sanguis Draconis or terra sigillata; If the cause be cold, and excrements white, give syrup of Mastic and Mints.   

SECT. XV. Of Costiveness.  
IT is from a cold and dry distemper, in some from the Birth; or from slimy Phlegm, that wraps the dung which sticks in the Guts; this is from bad Milk when the Nurse eats gross food, slimy and binding, or drinks little; or from an hot distemper of the Liver or Kidneys that dries the excrements, or if Choler stirs not up the expulsive faculty, than the dung is white and the body yellow. Children are more healthful with a lose Belly; 'tis cured by observing contraries, as all other Diseases are; from slimy Phlegm, give Honey of Roses; correct the distemper of the Liver, etc. with syrup of Violets, and cooling Emulsions, as before. In want of Choler the decoction of Grass roots, Fennel. Asparagus, Maidenhair. In all which you may give sometimes Clysters and Suppositories.   

SECT. XVI. Of Worms.  
THey are known by a stinking Breath, troublesome sleep, gnashing of Teeth, bawling, dry Cough, Vomiting, Hiccups, great thirst, swelled Belly, or bound, or too lose; when the Belly is empty and they want food there's a cold sweat over the Face, and an high colour with sudden paleness, sometimes a Fever and Convulsion which ceaseth presently.  
First, 'Tis best to prevent them by eating meats of good juice, with Oranges and Lemons, etc. and avoiding sweet clammy meats Flesh and Fruits; If there be Worms kill them with powder of Corraline, Wormseed, Heart's horn, or infuse 8 or 10 grains of Mercurius dulcis all Night in Grass, Borage, or Bugloss water, pouring them from the Mercury, and give the Child the water. The waters with the juices are very good. Some apply a Plaster of Aloes to the Navel. There is no better thing under the Sun, then to infuse a dram or 2 of Sena in water, and put some of the juices to it when 'tis strained. Use varieties that the Worms may not be to familiar with one.   

SECT. XVII. Of the Rupture.  
IF this be from a Gut keep the Belly open, keep the Child from crying, avoiding motion, lay it upon its back, thrust it up gently, then apply an Emplaster of ad Herniam, or Casaris. If from water anoint with oil of Elder, Bays, Rue, etc. or apply a pultis of powder of Beans, Linseed, Fenugreek, Camomile flowers, with these Oils.   

SECT. XVIII. Of Bunching out, and Inflammation of the Navel.  
IF the Midwife left too much of it that it bunches out, it is more troublesome than dangerous, if the rim of the Belly be lose, it starts not much out, and is not bigger by crying; and wind stretches it out; then use a pultis of Cummin, Bay-berries, Lupins powdered with red Wine, then use an Astringent Plaster as in Ruptures and roll it. If the rim be broken, first put in the Gut, then bind it close after you have applied an astringent Plaster, and given Medicines as against Ruptures.  
The Inflammation is from pain when 'tis not well tied, which draws blood to it: There's redness, hardness, heat and beating; if it turn to an Impostume and breaks, the Guts come forth and the Child usually dies, if not presently hope by a skilful Chirurgeon: First abate the Inflammation with Vnguentum album, and Populeon, etc. and repel the blood with a dram of Frankincense, Acacia, and Fleabean seed of each half a dram, made into a pultis with some white of an Egg.   

SECT. XIX. Of the falling out of the Fundament.  
WHen the Muscle that shuts it is lose than it comes forth; if it come from moisture 'tis hard to be cured, especially if there be a looseness, for then Medicines cannot lie on. If with streining if it be swelled, foment it with a decoction of Mallow, and Marsh-mallows; or anoint with oil of Lilies; then keep it in with astringents, as take red Roses, Pomegranate pills, and flowers, Cypress Nuts each half an ounce, Sumach, Frankincense, Mastic, each 2 drams, boiled in red Wine, foment it with sponge; then sprinkle on this powder, red Roses and Pomegranates flowers, each half a dram, Frankincense, Mastic, each a dram laid upon a clout and kept to the Fundament.   

SECT. XX. Of difficulty and stopping of Urine.  
'TIs caused from thick humours, and the Stone that stops the Bladder: it's voided by drops, and is thick; then let a Surgeon try with a Catheter if there be a Stone, and if it be not presently cured it turns to one; and all natural evacuation in Children being stopped is dangerous. Evacuate the humours with Honey of Roses, Cassia, white Wine and water; or take the blood of an Hare, dried to powder 1 ounce, Saxifrage roots powdered 6 drams; give from a scruple to half a dram in white Wine, or Saxifrage water.   

SECT. XXI. Of not holding Urine.  
THis comes from a cold and moist distemper, which weakens the Muscle that should close the orifice of the Bladder, and when much water pricks it, it suffers it to come forth; sometimes a stone hurts it that it cannot do its duty. First, then altar the distemper, dry and consume the Phlegm, let the Nurse have a Diet with Sage, Hyssop, Marjoram, etc. ●et not the Child drink much.   

SECT. XXII. Of Leanness and Betwitching.  
IF from little or bad Milk, remedy it; or from Worms, or Worms in the Skin, which is known by putting the Child into a Bath and rubbing it with Honey and Bread, and then you will see they will put forth their heads like Ash coloured and black hairs, in the Back, Arms or Legs, and all Musculous parts and stick in the Skin; and they breed of slimy Matter shut up in the Capillar veins; which turns to Worms from transpiration hindered. If you find no other outward or inward cause you may suspect a venomous vapour, or Witchcraft.  
If for want of Milk change your Nurse; or if she have any disease, or be contrary to the constitution of the Child. If from worms in the Skin, when you see their heads appear by rubbing and as before kill them with a Razor or Crust of Bread. If from an occult quality or Witchcraft 'tis hard to be cured because we know not the nature of the malignity. There are many superstitious things carried about against Witchcraft, some having Amber and Coral about the Child's neck. If it be from a dry distemper of the whole body; there is no better remedy then bathing often in a decoction of Mallows, Marsh-Mallows, Brankustine, Sheehead, etc. anointing after with Oil of sweet Almonds: and if it be hot and dry add Lettuce, Endive, Violets, Poppy-heads, and Onions and after with Oil of Roses and Violets.    
FINIS.   

 depictions of two caps and a glass suction instrument for treating damaged nipples 
P. 265   
 depictions of various pessaries 
P. 247   
 depiction of a birth in which the baby presents the side of the head first 
P. 95   
 depiction of a birth in which the baby presents the face first 
P. 95   
 depiction of a birth in which the cervix uteri, or neck of the womb, closes around the baby's neck 
P. 99   
 depiction of the pelvic bones of both men and women 
P. 46