The EXPERT Mid-Wife: A TREATISE OF THE DISEASES OF Women with Child, AND IN CHILD-BED: AS ALSO, Of the best Ways and Means of Help in Natural and Unnatural Labours.  
WITH Fit REMEDIES for the various Maladies of New-born BABES.  
A Work more full than any yet extant: And most necessar for all Bearing Women, Mid-wifes, and Others that practise this Art.  Infelix cujus nulli Sapientia prodest. 
By Mr. JAMES c, M.D.  
EDINBURGH, Printed by George Mosman, and are to be Sold at his Shop in the Parliament Closs. M.DC.XCIV.   

TO THE LADY MARQUISE OF DOUGLAS.  
MADAM,  
I Have presumed to offer Your Ladyship this little Work, such as it is, a small fruit of my Study; which as it concerns all Bearing Women( for conveniency of the Matter treated therein, their Welfare to wit, and Safety in that Condition: A more commodious Birth also, and safer propagation of the Fruit of their Womb) so chiefly the more Noble and Honourable, as being more Excellent, more Tender and Delicate, and readily more oppressed with the Symptoms: To be the Mothers beside of Hero's, or a more worthy and illustrious Off-spring, the Quintessence of Mankind, these visible gods, which must propagate and support the splendour and Dignities of the World.  
It is most fit then, decent and necessar, that such understand the state of Pregnancy and its Accidents: Of Bearing also and Child bed, to Govern and Preserve, or Relieve themselves, through the manifold Calamities and Perils thereof. To Order likewise, Nourish and Preserve, or yet Cure and relieve their Noble and Delicate Infants, in the manifold Maladies attends that Age, from the very first entry of Life, whereby it oftimes languishes and is ruined; that Health may be got fixed into their tender Bodies, which else remains unserviceable: And hence also their Minds degenerous.  
Suffer me therefore, most Noble Lady, with that Humility and Submission as is meet, to depositate the same at Your Feet, as a small Token of my Affestion, Respect and Observance, and of a Mind perpetually confecrated to Your Service; which if I shall understand not to be inacceptible( and of Old, neither hithertil, are Paper Presents unusual, nor yet despised) and that You vouchsafe me good Will and Favour, I have wherein to be glad as no small Reward of my Labour. Nor would I but choose Your Illustrious Name, being virtuous Consort to the Noble Marques of Douglas, whose most obsequious Vassal and Client I am, as for other Causes, so by virtue of my Native soil: To build that Noble House also. A Lady beside of Noble generous Birth and Education: Of all exquisite virtues: An absolute Pattern of true Piety& Prudence: Of greatest Elegancy, adorning and sincerity of Life, of upright, chast, entire Behaviour and unstained famed: And tho High, yet admirably Affable, Modest and Courteous. But I will not offend Your Ears with a heap of eulogies, however most true▪ Only let me hope Your candid and favourable Acceptance of this Dedication, as it proceeds from me with Affection and Observance: Your Pardon also, if I be thought Impudent and Rash, for so mean and small a Gift, and I being hitherto unknown to Your ladyship. Yet however I must not cease wishing to Your ladyship all Welfare and Happiness( with Your Noble Lord and Earl of Angus) the Blessing of a happy Offspring: And such an Increase to the Posterity of Douglasses( a Race so Ancient and renowned) as fabulous Antiquity attributes to the Golden three, that one Twig being plucked off from that Noble House, another Golden Branch may never be wanting, which may still flourish with the same Mettal. From him who craves nothing save to be,  
MADAM, Your most Humble, and most Devoted Servant, JAMES McMATH.   

TO THE READER ESPECIALLY Bearing WOMEN AND Mid-wives.  
HAving much Observed, the manifold Miseries and Tragical Disasters of Bearing Women, both during Pregnancy, the time of Labour, and in Child-bed: The grievous Calamities also of their tender Fruit, in the Womb, in Bearing also, and some while after: And how both are oft then miserable Lost, and haply through Mistakes and ill Guiding: I could not forbear( from my Love and Pity to both) to writ this small Manual( having more perfect Knowledge of the Matter, through a long Exercise, and diligent Observation of what hath then Well or Ill befallen them) for their better Government, and more happy Preservation from these evils; as containing Directions to Women with Child, for steering the safest Course to their Port: Instructions also to Mid-wifes( and by what appears, the Best needs daily be Learning, else they are so much too Proud, or then too Wicked) for laying them with such Ease and Safety, as they may be joyful Mot●ers of Children: With such Rules beside of diet and Tending in Child-bed, as may make it cheerful and Short, give a happy Close and Issue thereof: And for right ordering of new-born Infants in Health. With Cures likewise for divers Diseases of both. For,  
The Impregnat Woman, embarques upon a Voyage so long and perilous, through such rough and rocky Seas( that Sickness of 9 Months, which can more justly be called the cause of 600 or innumerable Calamities, than the Womb itself) that she needs all careful Conduct, to save and recover her from these Rocks, upon which else, she either lies miserable Split( especially if more britle and heavy Laden, whom the smallest Blast and Shake easily shipwrecks, sometimes most suddenly, yea, whiles also near the harbour) or then made hence to cast her Birth untimely and Miscarry, a Case so very unhappy to Women, as they had better Bear 10 times, than Part once, through these many hard and wrackful Symptoms, usually accompany and ensue; in some to a languishing Decay and Death itself. But,  
The chief Concern and Care, is about her right Unloading or Delivery, that being brought safe to Port, she and the Child be well, with safety and convenient speed partend▪ As to which, it is most worthy of Remark, That the due season for a natural and happy Delivery( for the Wrong also and Unnatural, which must never wait longer, nor Floodings and Convulsions so long, requiring present dispatch) is the breaking of the right Waters, or these within the Bag with the Child: And tho all come not then, nor alike soon after, yet the longer after the worse, both Mother and Infant growing weaker, the way more dry and close, the Labour very hard, and both put in great peril, through lack thereof; so notable is their use. to lubrify the Womb, smooth the Passage, and facilitate the Delivery: So necessar therefore to be expede, at least in some 6, 10, or 12 Hours after: And tho some have been longer after, ere Pains came, or yet the Mid-wife called: Yea, some have also been safely delivered, in a right Labour, 24 Hours after breaking of the Waters, 2 Days and longer, yet that is a Venture and great Hazard, especially of the Child, which hardly escapes.  
It is as necessar to know, that as this Natural Labour, where all goes right and naturally, is the proper work of the Mid-wife, and which she alone most easily performs aright, being only to sit and attend Nature's place and progress, receive the Child in her Lap, bring away the Burden, cut and tie the String, and perform some other things of smaller moment, which Physicians gave Mid-wifes to do, as unnecessar and indecent for them, and for the Matronal chastity( tho some of Old absurdly assigned them more, and made it also their Office, to help the Delivery, and not by Medicaments only and Others. but enchantments also) so in all Cases and Circumstances whatsomever, of Birth or After-Birth, that are Unnatural, Strange and Unusual, of any Difficulty and Danger, she needs, and should timely crave, the Advice and Help of some Physician, skilled and expert in the Matter, where it may be had( for otherwise she is obliged to do her best according to Instructions herein given) and especially in all wrong postures whatsomever, with, or without Pains( tho Mid-wifes stands not at the Feet and Buttocks) all Convulsions and Floodings with Clods, tho little or no pain, whether at full Time or not: Most 1st. Labours, and chiefly of Old Virgins, or yet too Young: Labours also of these more Delicate, Tender, Feeble, under any Indisposition, Disease or natural Weakness: Yea, even where the Labour is right, but becomes lingering with slacken pains, especially after the breaking( or yet a full gathering) of the Waters, and the Child not following in 6, 10 or 12 Hours after. Where also the Burden sticks, the String breaks, the Woman floods, or faints: And all other more grievous and painful Symptoms.  
As to the Mid-wife, she is surely the most glorious, who( beside that she be Diligent, Painful, Sober, Modest, Cleanly, not Wrathful, not Rash, Head-strong and Turbulent, not Covetous, not Arrogant and the rest excels in Prudence, Knowledgc, Skill and Dexterity in her Art, long Use and Exerclse: Experience withal of that condition in her self( and none of Old was admitted, till after they had Born many Children, yea had left Bearing, and become Barren, merely through Age, and not by Nature or Disease, and then had much Authority and Deference) who so hath Eyes in her Head, and never, or most rarely Errs, in her Presage or prognostic of the Event or Success of Labour: And then either waits with Patience and Confidence, makes sure, cleanly and comfortable Work, or wisely forsees the Danger, the Cause and Occasion thereof, and timely provides against it, by calling Advice and Help, in what she finds Hard and Infeasible; and the sooner the safer: Whence many sad Evils are prevented, and the Lives saved, which now are lost, through Ignorance and Timidity of some, but after a mischieful Boldness, Presumption& bad Example of Others, who through a vain conceit of Skill beyond all the rest, or any person else, crave no Advice or Assistance, even in the hardest of Cases, and where the best may be had, but tugs on alone( a most pernicious practise) till they can do no more. and all run to a desperate Extremity. that either Mother or Child, or both falls under their Hands, or then the Chirurgeon comes at length with his Instruments to finish the Tragedy, and puts both out of pine, and makes a separation, that the Infant may not be butted in its Mothers Womb: For thus it happens, that where the Man comes, one or both must necessarily die, for that he is not called, till the one or both be certainly dead or just dying, and still both pleads innocent: Which Abuses are prevented else where, by obliging Mid-wifes to a trial of their due Qualifications before they practise, where also they are called in question, yea and for their Lives, if thus guilty of any rash presumption. However let none discourage or blame such Mid-wifes, who ●re not slacken to crave Advice in ticklish Cases, it being both Skill and Conscience, nor put them to do what they cannot, lest they thus pay for it, and repent too late, there being too many over bold, who arrogate and please themselves too much, ready to tamper with Lives, too much Wedded to their own Interest, and more nice of their imaginary Reputation, than Patients Welfare: Holding enough done for their part, if they work the Woman once two-some, well or ill, or get her through the Month, tho they use her so ill, as she lives miserable a long time after. But seing Women are now hereby so instructed, in the circumstances of a Travailing condition, may understand their Difficulty and Danger, and when their Case craves Advice, they need not be imposed upon by any, but must blame themselves for what Mischief and Wrong befalls them for want hereof.  
Great need was there beside of Directions for a happy Child-bed, against the many acute Diseases, grievous Symptoms, Signs and others, readily seizes Women therein, as Fevers, Fluxes, Floodings, suppression of the Cleansings, sore Breasts, and the rest which rush in, partly after a sore unhappy Labour, partly through their own Imprudence and Rashness, partly also from unskilful Tending and Government: Some hide Mischance also, or Fatality sometimes attending: An unhappy Season likewise Whence many, who had happily past all perils of Pregnancy, been laid as comfortably as Heart could wish, yea been some while upon a fair Recovery, have yet suffered great Mutations, sad Back-casts and Languishing, yea Death oftimes.  
As necessar also was Advice and Directions, for preservation and welfare of New-born Infants: For obvious it is, that Man of all Living, is Born polluted and most miserable, feeble and infirm, quiter helpless of himself, and who must quickly perish, without the Care and Aid of others, to order him right, afford his Sustenance, and secure him against the manifold Ways and Means of his ruin, which otherways soon carries him off: So great is the danger of Innocent Babes, and so much is their Health exposed.  
These Things being the Subject and End of this Treatise, it will be found of notable Use and Service to all Women, who are tender of their own, or others Safety and Comfort in this Condition: To all Mid-wifes also, or any else who puts hand to this Work, who if they act after the Instructions hereof, shall ever find praise and credit of the same: But more especially to these in the country and far from better Help, being hereby enabled, rightly to manage and prosper this Affair, and help to save themselves, when ill trysted, or made to serve with Mid-wifes who are none of the best.  
I have of purpose omitted a Description of the Parts in a Woman destined to Generation, not being absolutely necessar to this purpose, and lest it might seem execrable to the more chast and shamefast, through Baudiness and Impurity of Words: And have here also endeavoured to keep all Modesty, and a due Reverence to Nature: Nor am I of the mind with some, as to think there is no Debauchery in the thing, except it may be in the abuse; for these parts, which even sinful Nature would be veiled, who may uncover by Word or dead and be guiltless: For tho they have been created marvelous and also Honest, yet are now become obscene with Sin: Whatever allowance Physicians may still have, to speak or act in this Matter, whose sacred Right it is, to perlustrate any part of the human Frame, and cure the Maladies thereof. Wherefore no body without a fault, can object this Subject as a fault, no part of Medicine being more glorious and necessar. And the Best, yea most Sacred Things, may be, and have been most wickedly abused. I have studied beside, all plainness of Speech, and the most easy simplo Womanly Terms, and Words they could best understand.  
I have not inserted the engraven Figures of the Infants in their various Postures, and some Others, having especially so clearly represented all by word: Nor yet any Figures of the Instruments proper to this Art, of which the Ancients had great variety: For that albeit the use thereof hath universally hitherto prevailed, and that I have also shown the best and securest way of using the same in all Operations, yet they may, and ought to be abandoned, for their pernicious Effects upon both Women and Children: And tho some Physicians at London, have by industry attained to, and now keeps it as their horrible Secret from all the World beside, to extract Children, or expede all difficult Deliveries without them; yet why not other knowing and industrious Physicians also, whoply the Study and Improvement of this: Or rather Mid-wifes, by their Advice or Counsel, whose Hands are less terrible, more easy▪ adapted and expert: So that they seem continued from a dull Custom, to the sad Hurt and ruin of many Women and Infants, more than any necessity: For even the Cases wherein they are held necessar, as a separated Head, a Dropsy of the Head, Breast, or Belly, or other monstrosity of a Child coming Right( for in wrong Postures they are not needed) most rarely ever occur. notwithstanding of their so frequent use.  
I have not troubled the Reader with the Formality of many long Receipts, which soon swell a Book, and make it less portible: But have mentioned the chief Medical provision only, or the most proper, safe and effectual Medicaments; the Prescription being easy and safe, or the Quantity, Quality, Time, and Manner of Using, while the Temperament of a Patient and the Disease is clear; so that chiefly they fit their Case and Constitution, and please the palate. Beside that a right diet, or good Guiding, does best for such Patients. And all Difficulties needs Physicans.  
For brevity also and fear of Offence, I have forborn the Account might have been given, of several Catastrophe's hath befallen Bearing Women in this place, for several Years past, how the Tragedies were acted, the Actors also, and upon whom: But considering wirhal, that too much of any Stock was not to be put in one Bottom, these and some others I choosed to defer, haply for another opportunity. And now to conclude, let me Admonish and Exhort all Mid-wifes, to know and keep by their proper Work: And study a prudent, wary and religious Performance thereof, acting in their Office so advisedly and surely, as no Evil may happen through them: But that by a right presage and prognostic of the Event, the most worthy and admirable part of their Art, and as it were next to Divination, they may preserve entire, the Dignity of their Name and Office, so ancient and venerable: And by the dead and Work itself, demonstrate that they are truly Intelligent, and Conscientious also, preferring their Patients Welfare to all: Omitting nothing makes thereto: And chiefly in every Difficulty and Danger, they timely call the Advice and Assistance of Physicians( for rarely will one Mid-wife communicate here with another, the Case also being of huge danger, and Lives in the play, requires greatest prudence and government) a more accomplished and industrious Society whereof for all Cases cannot be had nor desired than is upon the pl●ce: And so may prove such wise Pil●●s, who merits far greater Praise, by saving their Passengers in a vehement Storm and manifest peril of Perdi●●on, than plucking them out of the raging Waves, having now suffered a most dangerous Shipwrak. Neither can Mid-wifes take this sincere Admonition ill, nor hold themselves, or the Office any ways hereby disparaged, the Faults and Errors only being blamed, and these more dangerous, which they that fear God and are ingenuous will see to and amend, and such who are otherwise minded and persist, ought to be avoided by all who mind the preservation and welfare of themselves and their Babes.  
farewell, JAMES c.  
One thing I must subjoin as to the Title of Doctor I assume, lest I be thought impudently and falsely to arrogate it to myself, having appeared so long in a subordinate sta. tion, that however so lately declared, yet I rightly and lawfully obtained the Degree of Doctor-ship, and the most Noble Honours and privileges in Medicine, with a Patent also in public Testimony& assurance thereof, at the University of Rhems in April 1677, and that after a considerable time spent in sedulous Labour and Studies ar Leyden, and a much longer after at Paris; beside an Apprentis-ship first of all in Chirurgery and Pharmacy: And tho for a good many Years after my Return, I traded with Drugs and the Apothecars Shop, yet that could be no disparagement nor prejudice thereto, but for a greater Improvement and Experience, and for a safer practise, having so long withal made proof of Receipts, from most Physicians in the place. So that whatever I may lake of engine, good Luck, or Fortune in the Matter, I come nothing behind for Diligence and Industty.  
This also I had reason 〈◇〉 add. anent the Imputation of Papist, some unprofitable Scyba●● of the rabble kind( who cruelly envy my virtue and Prosperity) have maliciously laid upon me, industriously insinuated, and made to pass with the more credulous silly people, to make me suffer, that as I have served Patients of all sorts, so some Papists also, and tho none of greater Humanity, candour and Generosity; yet I c●n Swear( and upon peril of all if falsely) rhat never one of them hitherto thought me a Papist, and never found any thing like it in me, nor ever had me present in any place, or at the least Act of Religious Service Worship, or Devotion( save Grace at Mear, for I have eaten with them) nay never fell to speak of Religion, but in a biggot opposition; which may confounded that Aspersion, and show it is of the Devil.   

The First BOOK:  
Of Various Diseases and Indispositions of Women with Child, from Their Conception to the full Term of Labour.  
WE mind not here a tedious Treatise, of all the miserable Maladies arises in Women from their Womb, to wit, as Virgins, Barren, or Fruitful through Congress; But only, the Principal of these, more incident to the Fertile( far more excellent, and the Blessed among Women) in their Breeding, Bearing, and Lying in: Which accordingly Indicates some Speciality in the Cure, and shall be expede, with all possible brevity.  
Before we begin at Womens Breeding, or Conception, it is fit to treat a little of their Fertility, and Sterility, or Fitness, and Incapacity for it; being by them mostly made, or marred: As obliged to afford( beside a joint proportion of good Seed to the mans, which is all sought of him) a right disposed Womb, as good ground, where both must be Conserved, warmly Cherished, and altered, into an Infant or Bud: With what else is requisite to its Increment, and Maturity: Hence the vile Imputation of Barrenness, rests almost, solely upon them.  

CHAP. I. Of the Fertility and Sterility of Women.  
BY that is meant their Aptitude to Engender by Congress: by this, their Incapacity from any default whatsomever. The prime Signs, or Conditions reckoned to Fruitfulness, are a right Frame and comformation of the Womb, with all its Parts and Pendicles, the due Disposition, and Temperature thereof( as also of the whole, seeing none but the Sound, and Healthy should mary) a Just Age withall, made commonly, from 12, or 14 years to 50: Better from 18, or 20, to 40, or 45. Or rather during the Monthly Courses( called therefore their Flowers, as Indicating Fruitfulness) which as they have a gradual increase with the Age to a Stans, and a like decrease till they cease, so their prime time is held the prime for Marriage, for plenty of most Vigorous and Elegant Children; securest from Abortion, from Difficult or Deadly Labour. Yet some are found Fertile before Courses, and others who never saw any: whence some deny them to be any Sign, or Cause of Fecundity, or special Provision of Nature, more than other things: Or yet to nourish the Infant.  
The Blood of the Courses they make good, and laudable( though many have believed it venomous, and the Infant conceived at that time badly Constitute, and to die soon: Yea have attributed monstrous Effects to its touch and Vapour: Making Cocatrices of Women, dispersing their Poison through the Air like them) alike almost with the rest in the whole Body, and( when right) of a florid bright colour, and smelling like Marigolds: Which yet haply ever recedes from its Natural State, during that Menstruous Fermentation, differing much, from what is before, and after, and gets whiles also a most noisome Smell, from a mixture of Putrid Humours, its too long Stagnation, or then the Taint of the Pass, whence any Malignity it hath.  
Its Evacuation beside must be Regular, breaking out once a Month, and mostly about the presence of the Moon,( which some make the Cause of this Periodick appearance, as others the Providence of Nature, a Plethory, or Fermentation from an Occult Quality) whence its name of lunatic Disease, both in young Virgins, and elder Women: And likely when fuller, all things being then more turgid: yet the Ancients held the new Moon to purge Virgins, the old, the more aged mostly, but some of both purge every day indifferently,  
It must then also continue( distilling from the Womb by drops, or leisurely, without interruption) for two or three dayes mostly, yet whiles four, in some also six, yea in some even to the eighth: though yet this Evacuation may, and does return ofter, or more seldom: continue thus, longer, or shorter time: Vent in less or larger Dose: Break out also, and end differently: for the different Climate, Temperament, diet, Exereise and the like. But enough of this for the purpose in hand. The Vent of Perfumes up through the Womb, to the Mouth and Nostrils, is made a sure Sign of Fecundity: And shows a right Disposition of these Parts, and their due Commerce with the Head, by Nerves and Animal Spirits. Hence,  
Sterility must proceed, from a vicious comformation( or the Organick Faults) of the Genitals; as the Astriction, Obstruction, Coalescence, total or partial Closure of the sheathe, or inner Orifice, by any Viscid Humour, tumour, Excrescence, Erosion, Callosity, Cicatrice, Membrane and the like: Their Obliquity also, Distortion, Compression, or what else mars the free and through Perforation of the Yard, and direct Evibration of the Seed into the Cavity of the Womb.  
From their Intemperature also, as when too Hot and Dry, but chiefly too could and Moist, in a Soft, Lax, Pituituous Constitution of the whole Body, by Nature, or any wise adventitious. In cacochymic, Pituitous, Serous Diseases also: Spaits of Whites, or other Filth, discharged therein, as the common Sink of the Body( so oft observed with Barrenness, and the most frequent cause thereof) which does so Moisten, Relax, and Lubrify its Inner Orifice, that it cannot retain the injected Seed, or( being irritated by the annoyance of such Stuff) must quickly open, and let all pass. The like happens, when the Womb is Infirm, Soft, Lax in its Natural Constitution, or rendered so by a too lavage use, Abortion, or painful Labour.  
Sterility arises moreover, from an universal Intemperature, as in hydropic, Leprous, hectic, Pocky, Scrofulous, and others the like Cachectick, Plagueful, Ruinous Constitutions, and so much the rather, as the more noble Parts are Impressed, and Vitiated.  
By one, or other of these, are some long time made Barren, who at length Bear: The Fault being mended, the Impediment removed, a finer Health and Temperament recovered; by Age, a better Government, and other Industry: though it were the Interest of a Common-wealth, men did refrain such Matches, or any else, seen otherwise notably Faultish: Whence comes no Off-spring, or such as is very Worthless, Crooked, Dwarfish, Feeble, Sickly, unfit for all use, and service. But the Love of Money is the root of all Evil.  
Sterility happens likewise, from the Womans Disgust, and Satiety of the Venereal Embrace; or her dullness, and insensibility therein: Whence the Orifice bides shut against the Yard: Which else( while eager upon it, strenuously and naturally Tickled, and Roused therein) applies to it, delightfully opens, and raveningly attracts the mans Seed( which is then sufficiently darted into the Recesses of the Womb) emits also her own: Whence Conception readily follows long Abstinence, in case the charges be not doubled.  
These are held the prime Natural Causes of Womens Barrenness, for of Divine we speak not( which yet may haply oft times take place) nor yet of diabolic, or other hide Causes.  
The Cure lies in removing these Causes, as every Obstruction of the entry chiefly: and thus separation, or apertion is to be made of any Coalescence or Closure of the Genitals,( outward or inward) by Incision, Potential Cauters, or Corrosives: The Wound after kept open with Tents armed with Cicatrizing Medicines.  
The tumours in these parts must be resolved, and discussed: Or else suppurated, and dressed, according to their nature, and Situation: Chiefly careful against Corruption, or Cancer may readily ensue thereupon.  
If the sheathe happen naturally more straight, a Blade would be matched accordingly;( for some are more big, such, men of lesser Stature are said to have, as these with a big Nose, well hained, the Dull, Stupid, Fatuous;) means may also be used for its dilatation: But this proves rare, only in young girls, and they enlarge in time; or these of small Stature, bad comformation; Or the Elder, and is incurable: otherwise the Genitils conforms to any Yard.  
The Compression, Distortion, Obliquity, or Dislocation of the parts, can only be helped, by the Womans apt Posture in the Congress.  
The natural Laxity of the Womb, is Cured by Medicines gently Astringent, aromatic, and Warming( chiefly extern, in any Form) as is that also, from excess of Venery, returning withall by degrees to a Moderation.  
When its Laxity and Softness arises from a Pituitous, cacochymic,( or otherwise depraved) Constitution of the Body, there must be Evacuations, Purgations( as well for the whole Body as these parts) with a proper Regimen, and what Remedies else are effectual, to alter, correct and quiter root out that Dyscrasy or Intemperature.  
The other Indispositions also, Causes and Impediments, must likewise be applied to for amendment, or removal: And according to their different Natures, and Indications, and to all due Intentions: Still adding the Uterin Medicines.   

CHAP. II. Of Conception.  
IT follows Fertility upon Venerial Embrace of Man and Woman, the Emission, or Immission, and special Commixture, of both their Seeds, into the Womb( although some instance Conceptions without it) whence springs the same in Kind, which holds with Intemperature, and Defect of Nature.  
That the Woman hath Seed( though much controverted with some the Learnedst Physicians, and Philosophers, who allow her neither a liquid Seed nor the Egg, but would have her as the Field only, into which the Mans Seed is committed, and takes growth: Just as the Plants and Herbs) is clear from her Testicles, Seminary Vessels, and Organs, every way framed, and fitly disposed, for preparing thereof. From the Fellowship also, of the Womb, and spermatic parts, with the other principal parts of the Body, by Nerves, Arteries, Veins, whence is brought plenty of Seminal matter( Confluences also, and Combinations of the Spirits) and stored up in these Vessels: And found also elaborate into a white liquour, or Seed in their Testicles: and which they feel emitted in Coition, with a most pleasureful Tickle and Delight( for the most part more then Men) haply even in the first Congress( scarce without some Annoyance) and without which no Woman could ever Conceive, whatever some pretend of being forced, and made with Child, without any Oblectation or discharge of Seed: beside that gelded Female Bruits( for it were ugly and Cruel, to Geld Women which some are said to have done) are ever incapable of Conception. Women get moreover, the very same Symptoms with men, after Coition, as Sadness, Lassitude, trouble of Sight, dullness, Submission, Satiety, or Cessation of Lust, and the rest. There is added, the express Image of some Mothers in their Infants( which yet some make to depend solely from the Imagination) a mixture beside of Members from both the Males and Females, where divers Kinds Copulate: the Scripture also speaks of the Womans Seed as a thing chiefly necessar to Generation.  
The Mans Seed likely, far excels in active Principles, virtue, and Force of Procreation; being far finer, and more Spirituous: as appears from its more perfect Elaboration, more powerful Ejaculation, brighter Colour, a more vehement Action, Emission, and Discharge: The mans warmer and most Vivace Constitution.  
From Commixtures however of both Seeds( justly coapted in Quality and Quantity, warmly Bedded in a well disposed Womb, closely Conserved and Cherished therein) arises a most noble Fecundity, excellent Crasis and Contemperation into one Spirituous Body,( the too great Aquosity, and coldness of the Womans, being excellently compensed, by the too great heat and Spirituosity of the Mans) towards Prolification and Efformation of an happy Embryo( chiefly a Male) the marvelous Structure of so many parts, and consummate Habitation of the Soul: And that partly, by means of the innate Warmth, and Spirits( the Animal before others, the far more Noble and Numerous whence the Seed is chiefly Foecundat) and partly by the benign dewy Warmth, Moisture, and vivid Ferment of the Womb: Partly also, by the adventitious, irradiant, or Influent Spirits, like the warm rays of Heaven; whereby the Ferment of the Womb, is far more Vigorously exalted.  
There are( beside this true Conception) Aequivocations of the Womb, False and monstrous Conceptions, as Wind,( which some have discharged copiously from the Womb with marvelous noise after a full reckoning, and some time of travail, and sharp Pains, in great expectation and appearance also of a Child, and no small work about the Delivery) store also of Water, whiles mixture of both,( called Dropsies of the Womb) bags full of Corrupt Matter, Moles, Fishes, Mice, Frogs, Worms, Brute Animals, and other monstrous and Anomolous Brood conceived and enclosed in the Womb: Varioùs Examples of which are found with Physitians, Writers of Observatitions, here and there also with Historians. Among these comes Natures Transgressions, or By-works, which are either Monsters in sex, as Hermophradites: Or in comformation, and that either as to Figure, having the Face of a Dog, Ape, Swine; or ill set Parts, as when the Eyes are in the middle front, the Ears behind, the Nostrils on the side: and in Number Redundant, as double Bodies, Hands, Arms, Feet, Fingers, 6, 7, three Testicles( to which may be added the plenteous Number of Births at once) Or then Deficient, wanting Arms, Fingers, Feet, Nose, Tongue, Ears, or other Members: Yea, a Marvel, but the Birth shall be pitifully overgone, with one or other Hereditary Disease, and that either as to its Similar Constitution, and Intemperature, Scorbutick, Scrofulous, Goutish, hectic, Cachectick, and the like( which some impute to Copulation the time of the Courses) or its Organick, and comformation: the Deaf, Dumb, Blind, Mutilous, produceing the like,( though such must also have been born so, else they beget Children perfect as others) all which proceeds according to Causes, and Principles of Nature( ●heologues hold them remarkable Instances of Divine vengeance, or Manifestations of the Works of God) partly, from a Vicious seminal Matter, Or, the Ineptitude, Insufficiency, and Imperfection, of its Particles, Principles, Spirits, virtues; an injust Proportion also, bad Figuration, incongruous Adaptation, or Disposure: and partly from a bad Disposition of the Womb, the Apposition of depraved Impure juices, Courses, Whites, or other vile Excrements; whereby the Geniture is altered, and spoiled, the true Conception marred, or then( in place of Nutrition, or Food of Life) the Embryo receives the aliment of its Intemperature, Monstrosity, and ruin: Partly likewise( and principally) from the Ineptitude, Defect, or Excess, Inordination and erratas of the Influent, or Animal Spirits: through the Irradiations also of which, their inusual Emotions, and Determinations, from Mothers most strong Imaginations( which works wonders in them, not only at the moment of Conception, but after when big, yea not long before the Labour) the Impressive force is made highly conspicuous, marvelously altering the Infant( now already formed) and marking upon it,( as it were Wax) this and the other Form, Figure or Sculpture( blemishes also or Spots) as of Figs, Straw-Berries, Cherries( in their proper, and vive Colours, yea flourishing in their Seasons) or other things she tossed in her mind, vehemently greened for, and obtained in her Fancy only; the Idaa's, or Representations, being assumed by a greedy Fancy, or Imagination, exactly represented in the Brain, and impressed upon the Animal Spirits, and Arterious Blood, and therewith convoyed to the Womb, and upon the Young, and directed on in the Circulation toward this, or that particular part( yea the very same part of it was touched in the Mother with any thing) which being tender and soft, easily receives: And should make big Women wary of entertaining, or musing more deeply, such Imaginations, or fixedly beholding ugly Pictures, Images, monstrous, or Frightful things, either with pleasure or abomination, the time of Conception, or Gravidation: Whence Whites are said to have born Blacks: some entire Parents also Mutilous Children: yea some, horrid Monsters.   

CHAP. III. Signs of Conception.  
ASsurance of Conception from the beginni●g, though necessar, is hard, because of the different Conditions, both of one Woman in this Case from another, and of the same Woman at different times: The likeness also, of many of the Signs, to these may attend the simplo Suppression of the Courses, and some their other maladies: whence the boldest guessers are oft times most shamefully mistaken, who made themselves and others full sure of the matter. We shall however recite the Signs held most Essential, and Common: some whereof may be presently perceived, and while the Conception is in making; others, some while after, and when it is already made: Which( if they concur in the Woman, and succeed to others accordingly in order, after Congress, and with the Signs of Fertility) readily holds. As her great Itch and Lust to Coition her most grateful and Voluptuous Tickle therein, without which Women does not so readily and easily conceive: A light Shivering of the Body after, as after Pissing: retention of the Geniture: And this ever gave all Bearing Women who observed it a certainty of their Conception, and ever also the exact time, while they felt their Genitals dry after Congress, and nothing flow from them: Whence also such never missed of their Reckoning, who otherwise computing from the first stop of their Courses, have gone very far wrong. There is beside, a close firm Connivance,( though others speak of some light one only) and most exact closure of the inner Orifice, at least the first Months. There is also, a Constriction, or solid Contraction of the Womb( to the same Constitution almost as when empty) for a near, and most close Comprehension, and warm Embracure of the Geniture: whence is felt a kind of Contraction, like a Convulsive motion, or Cramp in the Vulvâ, and bottom of the Belly, with a pain hereof when pressed: a starting also of the Navel  
There succeeds( instantly also in some) various Vexing Symptoms( more gentle whiles at the first, sorer afterwards, when the Conception likely hath taken a Seat in the Womb) as great Litherness, Hebetude and drowsiness, Heart-burnings, Yexings, Belchings, Yaunings, Reachings, long Spittings, Vomitings long time, sorest in the Morning: She turns Duamish, loses her Appetite, Cares not for Venery, Nauseats and abhors some particular Meats she loved, Greens for things strange, absurd, and noxious: Takes toothache, headache, Giddiness, Dimness of Sight, Pains in the roots of her Eyes, Palpitations of the Heart, Swoonings( yea some have Convulsions, Epilepsies, Ravings) her Courses also stop, which before were orderly: Her Breasts extuberate, turn hard and painful( chiefly about the return of her Courses) the nipples are very dark coloured, more large and tumid, the circled Brownish: She hath pains in her loins and Thighs; her Belly flatts, she becomes slender, thin, of an ugly Complexion, a lean Ghastly Visage, all Mouth and Eyes: Turns Blea beneath the Eyes, which are Hollow, Turbid, and Dull, with large Yellowish Whites, the Veins very spectable,( chiefly under the inferior Eye-lid) And other Cachectick like Symptoms, which yet likely must befall the cacochymic mostly, the more delicate, or these of a more Inordinate diet: Being hard if Nature should allow no big Women her Health, which she hath not denied to the very Beasts: And some have that their most Healthful time. Some take a sure sign from an unusual wratkfulness, familiar to them at that time, and their marvellous proclivity to Anger. No sign or conjecture can be had from Urins however constitute; sith that, they touch not the parts which serve to Generation, nor hath any Communion with them; though some glory not a little in this, whom yet Experience does shamefully confounded. Many other Signs and Experiments are brought but seem vain and fabulous.  
Great Prudence, and Caution is necessar to such prognostics, for many Abortions have been procured, Women and Infants have suffered through Mistakes and Rashness; especially in drugging the Belly big with Child, as if hydropic, Tumid through Stagnating Courses, or otherwise False: Nor must Women be still trusted in the matter, some being Feigned and False; many very uncertain.  
The distinctive Signs of Conception, and suppressed Courses are, that here( otherwise then with the Conception) the longer they stop, the worse daily grows the Symptoms: The Women most part are Sad, and Pensive: Of a far worse Complexion: The tumour also is Soft, Oedomatous, Equal; and hath not Infant-like Situation, Circumscription, or any Motion: Neither feels the inner Orifice so exactly shut, but rather hard, contracted, and some wise painful.   

CHAP. IV. Of the Infants Formation.  
NAture greedy of Immortality, hath given all things a desire, and power to perpetuate themselves, which they effect in Propagation of Kinds, and Forms,( Individuals quickly perishing) and perfect Animals, by an uninterrupted Series of succeeding Generations.  
Although this be a martyr of most hard Explication, so that our great Creator seems to have reserved this Mystery to himself alone, and would not, proud man should dive into the most small beginnings of his work: Yet we shall briefly Narrat, what Authors( who Studies anent the Principles of this Noble fabric) have delivered as agreeing to Truth.  
To the Generation of Mankind( here only intended) Diversity of Sex is held necessar: A Male who( being of most Vivace Constitution, and more accurate fabric of Vessels) gives the Principal( if not the Sole) Impression, and Efficiency: Or plastic Force and virtue. And Female, who affords a well disposed Faecund Womb, for a safe warm Conservation, and Cherish of both their Prolifick Seeds, into a Bud: Due Nutriment also unto Maturity.  
Their Genial Embrace is likewise necessar, or a truly Venereous Congress: To which they hast, from this Love of their Like( some from Plenty and Stimulation of Seed, an unsatiable Sting also of Lust) but chiefly, from that signal delight, and enchanting Pleasure found therein; some Solace of Miseries( though empty and moment any, Sadness and drooping coming instantly after, yea even during the Pleasure of this Dance) without which scarce one would ever use it, and Mankind would soon wear out: For else how could man, so noble a Creature, make any attrectation of these Obscoene parts, which( for being so Foulsome, are turned down into the Vilest Room, in a manner the Sink of the Body) much less court, accept, or indulge to this Embrace, so filthy a Fact; some even to a sad decay and waste. What Woman also, would else impair her Health, Strength, Ease, Beauty, undergo a world of Miseries( yea even lose the Life) in Breeding, Bearing and bringing up of Children, if not bewitched to this incredible pleasure excited in Coition from the most exquisite Sense and Tickle affects the Genitals.  
They will have also, both Seeds present in the Womb, as the Generant Prolifick Principles, their fit mixture into one Mass: From which Fermented together, arises a Spirituous Bud, through which and of which is the Delineation of all, both being endowed with a plastic virtue, or formative Force; made the Vegetative Spirit of the Seed, the Vital or Vegetant Mortal Soul, which imparts Order, Efformation, Figures, Situation, Number, and Quantity to the little Membranes and Members of the Embryo by means( as is said before) of the Congeneous Particles of the Seed,( things of the same kind being sorted, disposed, and ordered from these of a different) the well tempered, Implanted Spirits abounding therein: The Influent also and Imagination: the Congenit Heat and Ferment of the Womb: The Divine Hand concurring.  
Some make the Mans Seed alone, the first, and immediate Matter, and sole Efficient of the Work: The Womans, a Ferment only, necessar for its Colliquation and Dissolution; for Eductìon also, of the Finest, most subtle, and Spirituous part, and Coagulation hereof into a most clear bubble, like Crystal liquour( which it also Cherishes, as a convenient prepared Warm Moisture about it) containing the Idaea's of all the Parts, in which alone, the first Efformation of the whole Infant is begun, and of which the most fine, tender, and small Threads of all its Members are delineated and quickly also expede, the several Apitudes, Powers and Faculties reposed herein, being now thus extricate or set loose, and so instantly promoved in Act for Figuring, or comforming the Parts, and arraying the same with all kind of Perfection: which is nourished at first, grows in bigness, and amplifies by the residue of the Seminal Matter about it: And after Consumption hereof with Blood and chill, flowing copiously thither, of which afterwards. Others say just Contrariwise to this, and makes the Womans Seed the first Matter, and sole Effective Principle of the Infant: Yet injustly, being the less perfect, yea doubted by many if it can well, and truly be called Seed, and Infants therefore commonly never name from the Mother.  
Some reject this plastic Force, or Soul of the Seed, and will have the Formation of the Infant caused, through the heat, both of the Womb, and Seeds; whereby the Particles hereof, being gently agitated, and moved in the Womb, for their divers Magnitudes, and Figures, necessary turns into the perfect Bud of an Infant; all the Parts whereof they will have conformed and finished by little and little, and all things done in the Body in a mechanic manner, without any idea, fantasy, or Archaeus of a Soul, or other Faculty. But this Glorious fabric, is of a more Regular, Constant and Cunning Artifice then all this can come to.  
Some, will not have ought of the Seed enter the Womb in Coition, or then to flow all soon out again, or some way vanish: Yet the Generation to hold( the Genitor's, idea, or Species remaining only in the Womb, to the sole Contagion of which it is ascribed) and so to be unnecessar, and quiter useless thereto; making the Womb the Principal Cause of the Formation, while( by means of the Formative Faculty as its Instrument) it Impresses upon its Work the Species conceived by it. And these will have the Conception made, not so much in the Cavity of the Womb, as in the Pores of its inner Membranes: And by reception of an Immaterial Species: Giving the Woman thus to do more then the Man, in propogating the Kind.  
Some of late make Women have Eggs bread in their Testicles, and will have the Generation of man constitute at first of the same, laid into the Womb, and on the same wise usual in Hens and other Fouls, and Oviparous Animals; and the Spirit of the Mans Seed, to be the true Efficient, and Formator: Some part whereof arrives at the Testicles, and Egg-Bed and Faecundats the Egg: But there coming no Prerogative from the Egg, this their Observation is of no worth: Being uncertain beside, whether it be made in the Egg-Bed, or wrought in the Womb by Fermentation: The Womb being the same in Women what the Egg-Bed is in Fouls. But to be short,  
The order of the Infants Efformation is reduced to four Seasons. In the first, nothing appears, save the Seeds coagulate within a thin Crust or Membrane: till the 7th. day. In the 2d. this Mass becomes clearly as it were more Fleshy, and Conglobat; in nine dayes: And may be discerned in three little guts, and Globes, or several little Bladders; called the shining Bubles: Held to be the Rudiments of the principal Parts, or a Representation of the Natural Animal, and Vital Constitutions. Yet some will have but one only bubble always, of which the whole Infant is formed: Most rarely more, except where more Children are to be formed together. In the 3d. is the Embryo: And this Time the Threads, or first rude Draughts of all the spermatic parts brightly appear in the liquour: From the 15 day to the 27. when the Heart like a little point, the Bowels, the Parenchymata, little Bones, joints, Backbone may be plainly perceived: The Membranes covering the Brain, and the rest of the Body like the Keel of a Ship, and the Ribs standing up,( yea the two Membranes enwraps it) And seems to be Delineat, or Portrayed equally at once( so great, and so necessar being the Harmony thereof, that they cannot Subsist, nor Act but together) though some will have its Heart first formed, some its Liver, others the Brain: Some these three together, and after the intestines, Lungs, and the rest. Some will have the Bones first, the Basis as it were, and necessar Ground-work of the Body. But how each part is produced, and one after another, what first, what last,( and all so right, and in such trim order) God only knows who Created all things in the beginning, first and alone; whose marvelous Skill in this Curious Cut of the Infant( these fair Draughts also, and Frames of Nature, never enough to be admired) though diligently sought out, yet never will to Perfection. In the last, to the 45 day, all jointly grows together into a complete Child, an entire perfect System of the whole, and so many parts( though yet very small and tender, made not longer then a Finger, and little bigger than a larger Emmot) in their pretty Figure, most convenient tie, marvelous Structure, extreme( yet wholly concording) Diversity of Functions and Uses; finished and trimmed up by the most Skilful Hands of our great Creator( much like the Painter, who first draws the Lines, then lays his Colours: Or the Carpenter, who first founds the Keel of his Ship, then raises the Sides, and Stern almost covered) remaining a consummat Domicil for the Rational Soul, which is believed to be Created( though some make it Traduced of the Seed, and propagated by Generation, no less then the Body itself) and infused thereinto( the fit Time and Minute none knows exactly, but God alone its Creator) by which the Motions of the Corporeal Soul, are thenceforth determined, ruled and tempered: And all the Constitutions, Concoctions and Elaborations of the Body, fixed as by Gods own Hand, and doing.  
All these being rightly considered, we must grant so much, Wisdom to Shine in this work of Generation, or Frame of the Embryo, And all the fabrics, Families, Faculties, Elaborations. and Actions of the Infant to be so Divine, as must very far surpass the Power, and virtue not only of the Seed, but haply even of any Soul: And can speak no less, nor be fitly applied to ought else, save the Finger of God, or Divine Power, the first Efficient Cause of all things, perfective as it were of the plastic Faculty, and and others ascribed to the Seed, Nature's Operation, or the Parents to whom very little is due on this head, who produce only a certain bulk, consisting of Flesh, Bones, Membranes, Nerves, and the rest disposed and figured in a certain manner, but give nothing to the Production of the Soul; nay nor to its union with the Body.   

CHAP. V. Of a True, and False big Belly, and their Signs.  
THe one is caused by a Child in the Womb; the Other by some Empty, marred, or monstrous Conception therein, beguiling the Woman, and the World about: Happening mostly( say some) through disorders of the Courses, and the time chiefly they usually turn so, to wit, from 35 years to 40. and forward.  
The sure Signs of the True, are the right Closure of the inner Orifice, its just Bigness according to the time, an Infant like Situation( which acuminates towards the Navel, and is Lank on each side: While the False rises equally and plain all over) and Circumscription with the Womb: But chiefly right Stir, and Motion: True Milk also in the Breasts at the usual Season, or time of Life.  
The Infant Lives and Moves manifestly in the 3d. or 4th. Month mostly, some much sooner, others far later( scarce in the 5th.) as they have been more, or less Mirrily Begotten, are more or less Strong, Vigorous, or Spirity, the Females, as soon as Males,( though some will have these later in Animation, and Motion, as also in Formation: Who yet come alike perfect, and mature to the usual Term, and are observed to wax faster when Born, yea to flourish faster, and fail also in Age: Chiefly they who have Born ofter: And some have also found them stir soonest.  
Its Motions at first, are found very Small, Soft, easy, yet still increase, and sharpen with its Bigness, and Strength, till in end they be so Hard, and Painful, as to irritate the Womb to open, and work hard its Protrusion: Being ready else, to break at the Broad-side.  
It removes whiles its whole Body from one part of the Womb to another, and whiles Sprauls out this, or its other part only, swimming and Tumbling lightly in the Waters as in a Bath; yet without turning over and over as some Women fancy. In the Hysterick Passion, the Womb is said to ascend, to move itself, and range every way through the the lower Belly, making thus a sort of Total, yet no Partial Motion: But these Inflations, and Motions are ever very painful, with Suffocation( yea in some Convulsive) and said to proceed from irritation of some Malignant sharp vapour arises from the Womb( which some deny can make any such Spontaneous Motion) or her Testicles whence, the the intestines are contracted( the Midriff, also, Muscles of the Jaws, and other parts, if it ascend higher) and this Evil produced, while thus bitten and pricked thereby. The Mole moves only with the Womb, falling with Weight, and Pain, upon the Side the Woman turn to. Agitated Waters, makes a bubbling and Murmur in the Womb. Wind in the Womb makes Motions, most like these of the Infant, and may long resemble a true Gravidation: Which yet must oft make greater distension, Hardness and Pain.  
When she is over half gone, that the Infant stirs more vive, the Paps begin to swell( very oft and for the most part) and more and more augment, from Milk rising therein, which may be pressed, out first a more Waterish, after a Thicker, usually a most certain Sign of a true Belly as the want thereof of a Mole,( which, as it hath no Animal Life, receives no Animal or Milky Aliment) the Infants Commotion exciting great desire and thought of its Lactation: And though Lascivious Virgins, and Widows wholly intent to Lustful Cogitations, and much in thinking of Breasts, Milk, and their Sucking, wantonly rubbing, tickling, or Sucking thereof, may have got Milk in them( yea thus some men also) especially with a Suppression of Courses, yet that is most rare, and it is but a Crude Ichorous sort of Milk, or rather a Serous Milky like liquour, or Humour. At that time the circled of the nipples amplify, the nipples also before contracted, become now laxer and more tumid.  
It is of great import to discern the False big Belly from a True( though hard, the Symptoms being usually so like in both) for this must be industruously cherished, corroborated and preserved to a full time, the other indicates a speedy Expulsion: For the longer false Conceptions are in the Womb, a fuller Nourishment they receive, and bigger still they grow, more solid and fleshy: Sticks also more fast, and so worse to be expelled: Raising then almost ever perilous Floodings and after two Months turn sit-fast Moles.   

CHAP. VI. How to know the different Times, and a true Term of Pregnancy.  
AS it is fit to know a Woman is truly Conceived, so also how for she is gone; for if she be made to Miscarry, or her Fruit made go from her, while only a new Conceived Embryo, the punishment must be lighter, then after its Perfect Organization, when ready trimmed for the Soul, the Inspiration of which makes it all Justice and Equity, that Life go for Life without respect of Persons. Hereby also is understood when Pains come at full time, and to be urged on, or arrive before, and must ever by all means then be appeased, and the Labour hindered; except in Vehement Floodings, Convulsions, and other Desperate Cases where a speedy Delivery is the only Hope.  
Some compute from Stop of their Courses, or the quickening, which yet are Uncertain and Vary, Others judge it by the Bigness, but this fails also, caused greater at sometimes by half then at others.. In the Beginning, it is tried by the abovesaid Signs of Conception. Some make it best known by the different Constitution of the Inner-Orifice in the Pregnancy, which from the Beginning, or in the the first Months, feels somewhat long, and transverse like the hole in the top of the Yard, or the Muzzle of a Puppy new Pupped, most straight, and closely conjoined, hard also and Dense, especially in the first Child, tho' in in these who have born ofter, it is more big and Inaequal. In her hindmost Months, this Orifice turns Soft, and Pulpy, more Lax also and Tumid( as are the Lips of the Privities) and by little and little as the Labour apapproacheth,( chiefly after the Child is turned and falls lower) it so distends and amplifies( as also the Inner neck) that it turns quiter flat, and almost plain with the Glob of the Womb, opens, and dilates, grows Orbicular and Round, like a circled, Crown or Spreading-Rose, as if Nature were preparing a way for the Childs breaking out; being much helped herein, by its greater Weight, and more sturdy Stirring. Its Lips are then more Thick and Slippery, Fungous also like a sponge. In the last 3, or 4, Weeks it is moistened, and soaked with a Glutinous Viscid Humour, or Slime filling almost the Short Neck, that it may be more fax, stretch and widen( as it does in a stupendous manner) with less Violence, and afford the Infant a freer passage at Labour.  
Nature's usual, most frequent, and statute Term of completing this great Generation, and of a Legittimat Birth is the 9th. Month entire, as the 10th was held of old: Or the end of the 9th. or beginning of the 10th. and what is made much over is a Cheat of Women, or a Mistake in their Reckoning, wherein very oft they are grievously beguiled: Whatever also truly prevents it, is Praeter-natural, moved by some weal-public or valid injuring Cause: And the sooner cast, more rarely kept in Life( as in the 5th. or 6th. Month, being so feeble and delicate, though some such are said to have come to a Lively Age) but the later, the more Ripe and Strong: Whence 8th. Months Births must needs be more Natural, and Vital then the 7th. which some deny, making the 7th: Month the First Term of a Lively Birth.  
Most Physicians, will have this Term tho' fixed to Bruits, yet Variable and Uncertain to Women, through Diversity of Places, Times, diet, Passions of Mind, Temperament of the Woman, of the Seed and Womb: Whence the Infants heat increases whiles more quickly whiles slower, its Maturity is expede sooner, or later: And the Term prevented, or put off: Hence at this day, it is maintained as a most Firm Rule, that some Infants may, and have been Legittimatly Born( and pronounced such) in the 12th. 13th. 14th. Month( not to mention the Double, or Triple) and that for the Sickness, and Weakness of the Infant, or Mother, Coldness of the Womb, Scarcity of Aliment, or the like: Though yet such late Births are very justly suspected and observed almost ever in such Widows only, who for love of a dead Husbands Fortune, plays an after Game, and pretends him the Father of another mans Child: A Trick so frequent, as to make Clamorous, Debates among all Courts of Justice every where: and most rarely or never in Women with whom their Husbands live and Bed, who are found( by daily Experience and in every Constitution and Circumstance) to keep this Statute Term some few Dayes only in or over, without putting off to one, much less several Months.  
The Infant having by this time, its due Maturity, and now finding great Unease, and Anxiety in the Womb( which is Commonly ascribed to straightness of the Place, Scarcity of Aliment, as also its Impurity, and Corruption: And Some hold the Redundancy of Excrements within the Infant, and Necessity of their Discharge: Others its need of the Air and Respiration: And some the Wise Disposal of the Great Creator) tosses and wrists itself every way, and Spurns sharply to break through the Gate with Violence, and get out of that Obscure, Sordid, Pinched Goal( and a wonder, how it could be kept, live and move therein so long) Whence great Pains are wakened and redoubled, the Membranes wherein it is wrapped are split, the Waters therein flow out, the Womb is grievously irritated to its Expulsion; for which the Mothers Muscles, Tendons, Nerves are forthwith copiously filled, and inflate with an Universal Influx, and Vehement Force of the Animal Spirits; chiefly the Constrictory Fibres of the Womb, and Muscles of the lower Belly, which with joint and Full Force makes frequent and hard Efforts, and Strong Compressions of the Infant: And so a Valid and Speedy Protrusion thereof.   

CHAP. VII. If Woman go with Boy or girl, and if she have more than One.  
SOme are fond to know( which yet converts not the Sex, however some Women are said to turn suddenly Men in their time) if they go with a Boy, or girl( tho' there is no Difference in the beginning of Generation, and the girl is held the Male only inverted, or marred) of which some Guesses are made( a Certainty being Impossible, whatever some Vainly Boast) which we may recite, and refer to the Comers to consider, and crack upon, yet believe as they list: As that Women in their Flourish, have mostly Males: These also who have them are more Cheery, Jocound, of a more entire Health, suffer less Stress of Symptoms, and haply of a far more Elegant, Vive Complexion, Florid, Rosy Colour: Goes lighter, carries them without trouble, or notable Weight, finds them Stir sooner and more Sharply, have Milk sooner in their Breasts, which are also more replete of a Thicker, not Waterish Milk; chiefly the Right Breast which is firmer. The nipples are more Coloured, more tumid, erect, and turned upwards. Males also, are said to possess the Right Side of the Womb mostly( though Some make Infants keep mostly that side rather the Womb inclines to, be it Right or Left) and all the Right-side Parts to be more Lively, Warm, Robust, agile, Prompt, and readily first moved, and used: to wit, If she sate, kneeled, or stood upright, she would lift her Right-foot first, rather then her Left. As these are held Signs of Boys, so the contrary of Girls, for whom some have no Sign more sure and stable, then if the Woman suffer great Labour and Sickness in the last Months, yet keep. all which if true, the prognostic is easy. Some beside, make the Males begotten of the Right Testicle as Warmer, and more Varicous while the Provision of the Right Artery may come wholly from the Aorta and more Warm Spirit: But that the Left contains mostly a more Serous and Weaker Seed: While we may believe the Matter to be sent from the Emulgent; though some wanting either Testicle, have yet begotten a Number of both Sex indifferently, the Seed being generated alike good in the one, as the other. They will also have Males conceived in the waxing of the Moon, Females in the waning: But both being daily brought forth Indifferently, must be daily also Indifferently Conceived. Beside, that many justly doubt any Action or Rule of the Stars upon things below. Some pretend to know it by the Urin, some by the Milk, by other Signs, and Experiments also, which yet seem obscure and ridiculous.  
We need not mention Authors, Fabulous Stories and Examples of numerous Litters at once, as 10, 15, 24, 36. and many more, yea 364, or 5. one for each day in the year( all surely very small and unshaped) brought forth by the Countess of Holland in the 42 year of her Age, and all Baptized. One is most usual over all: Twins oftimes: Whiles Three, which only may live: Sometimes four, yet live not: Both which is more rare and looks monstrous, while Nature hath given two Paps only to Women, yet some have had two nipples to one Breast yielding Milk.  
The Signs of Twins( which live, even though of different Sex, contair to some) are the painful, extraordinary Bigness, and Swelling of the Belly( yet this appears not the First Months) its ample distension, and Protuberancy to the Sides, with an extern middle Line a little depressed: divers and more frequent Motions( though some make Twins move little in the last Months for want of room) Swelling of the Legs, and Thighs, sometimes also the Lips of the Privities, and all the share: A very uneasy and painful State of the whole Body. But seeing all these are found with one single Infant, no certain Sign can be had hereof.   

CHAP. VIII. Of superfetation.  
IT says Conception upon Conception, or a Woman already with Young, by renewed Congress conceiving again. Monsters are rare, more rare a superfetation; yea so rare as by most made impossible( though Some also have observed it epidemic) the Mans Seed being quiter debarred the Womb, by the most straight and firm Closure of its Inner Orifice instantly after Conception, which also abides still, so exactly Sealed, as nothing can flow out, nor yet be got in that way. Neither hath the Womans Seed any possible access to the Womb, these Conduits in the Bottom, through which it slides into its Cavity in the Congress, being then also firmly contracted, and stopped: And is therefore discharged in after Coitions( as also the superfluous Blood in Some Ptethorick Women, and other Trash) through Dark ways, or Extremities of Vessels, ending as well upon the Womb, as its Neck and the sheathe; not entering within to hurt the Infant. Superfoetations, however rare, are asserted, both by the ancients, and many Others: Yea occur in Experience, and said to happen in the Fervour of a very Libidinous Tickling Congress, and a most ravening Action of the Womb for Generating; whence the Womans Seed may( in this Warmth, and Vehemency) Impetuously penetrate these Passes, and spring into the Womb( the Secundine adhering to one part only) and the Orifice also( the Womb being thus wildly incited in this Lustful fervour) may yet open in the Sport( as it does more often at certain Intervals, to vent some noisome Stuff) for admitting the Mans Seed, which being darted thither, and both retained, must form this new Conception therein( some hold it formed also without the Womb) against which let Women keep free of Congress their First Months, these chiefly who have still the Terms, and held subject to Conceive again.  
Authors afford Instances hereof, with the various times of their Conception, and Production. Some several dayes only between. Others Weeks, some, Months. And are are held caseble, from the time only the first Geniture is involved in the Membrane, and so secured against Elarse, or Mixture; till the 3d. or 4th. Month though some are found yet later) that the distension of the growing Womb mars Reception, and Comprehension of more Seeds, and this new Conception: Its different Motions in Congress, and 'greed of Conceiving affording that while, to open, admit and enclose the last Seeds, yet securely retain the Conception: At least if there be a Healthy Mother, a robust Embryo already formed, being then firmly tied to the Womb, neither yet making any stir to be out.  
If the superfetation happen near the Conception, it may be Perfected, and Born as if it were a Twin, if long time after, it will still be Small and Misthriven, and prove Abortive, through penury of Aliment; the most part thereof being derived to the First, as more Perfect and Strong. Twins, or more being Begotten in the same Coition from the abundance of Seed( the Partitions, or Cells of the Womb say some) come almost ever of alike Bigness, and Maturity, are Born, as well as Conceived without any Distance of Dayes, have one and the same After-birth mostly, which the superfetation hath distinct, as also the Bag and Waters, Distant Terms likewise of Birth, and is of inequal Bigness and Perfection.  
There is said to be a Corrupt and monstrous supper Impregnation in many Places, of divers Shapes and Similitudes: But these some place among the Kinds of Moles:   

CHAP. IX. Of a Mole.  
THe true Mole, is a fleshy tumour, or rude indigested Mass( whence its Name) without Bones, Bowels, right Disposure or Order of Parts, and Members, or any Embryo, Figure, or Shape( though whiles there be a Rudiment of some Form) Soul or true Life: Engendered in the Womb by Congress, and of both Seeds, which are Commonly held as necessary thereto, as to the ttue Conception. Some admit it possible of the Womans Seed alone, though most usually of both. Others again, will have them rather arise from abundance of Womens Seed, breaking out in Congress of wanton Lustful girls with Old Men( whom therefore they should refuse, and mary their like) or in Lascivious Converse, or then by Veneteous Dreams( as to some with singular delectation) Coagulated, and perfited, by the Heat of the Womb, augmented by access, and Collection of the Courses, or Humours which serve the Conception: And so be Generated the same way, as any other sort of Flesh: caseable also to Widows and Virgins,( the more Salacious, or Lustful chiefly) and merely from a Fancied or Imaginary Venery, without knowing Man: And whereof they may make Abortion also. This Seed howsoever of the Mole seems vitiated in its true specific requisite Constitution, being Corrupt, Languid, Diseased, or of Crude earthy Vegetant Principles only, and destitute of the more Active, or Formal Principles of an Embryo, the plastic virtue, or Forming fertile Spirits, or hath them( as also the Heat and Ferment of the Womb) extinct, or greatly suppressed, and smothered with such crude humid Principles, abounding Courses, Whites or other vile Trash in the Womb; from which Nature not being able to rid itself, nor separate the precious from the vile as it ever intends, and so frustrate of its Scope, all is spoiled and marred, and so runs into this ugly rough Mass, never or most rarely found, save in Women, against which, they best forbear Coition, when the Courses are near, or the time thereof, and not be too ardent after Conception ere the Infant be formed.  
Moles are of various Figures and Colour: And some are more soft and Fleshy, some more firm, and Membranous, some most dense, and Nervous: some also Schirrous, Gristly, yea hardened like a ston. There be also bigger, and less, and that according to their Disposition the supply of nurture( whence some become quickly more large, others augment flower, and keep small) the Temperature also of the Womb, and their Stay therein: With some many years, whiles all their Life, a painful pinching weight, toughly glued to the Womb, which is still big thereof, keeping the Woman under Decay and daily Peril of her Life: Of Killing her miserable at length through its huge Bulk, and Ponderosity: Which yet some have carried about without great trouble or danger of Life. There is usually but One, yet sometimes more, which hath less peril. They, most part adhering more slightly, fall away, the 3d. or 4th. Month, not yet come to their just Magnitude: If they elapse before the 2d. Month, they are called False Conceptions, if they sit after, they grow Fleshy Moles, yet sometimes become Membranous, full of many clear watery Bubles, and with a Fetid Sanious Matter often. If they exceed 12 Months, they are incurable and abides many years, and mostly the Dropsy follows. Some are called Vital, because of some Sensible Motion: Others without Life, who have no such Motion: Though they all live a Vegetal Life, being nourished from the Vessels of the Womb, to which they immediately adhere, without Burden, or String, yet are entirely separated from it in their proper Substance.  
Albeit there be likeness in the Signs of a true Conception, and Mole, yet here the Tumour is harder, more round and plain all over, yields to the touch, but returns when the hand is removed: Is more grievously burdensome, hangs from the womb at the Share and groins, like a dead weight, having no support of Waters, pinches her lower Belly, loins, and Haunches, causes a weariness of her Legs and Thighs, whiles also a Suppression of Urin: Moves not but with the Womb, and then tumbles as a stone upon the Side she turns to; Moving thus sooner, and with a greater Motion then the Infant: And if any Motion, appear to the touch, it is panting only. The Womans Face also is pale and almost dead col●ured, her Joints, and Cheeks Crine, her Body withers and decays, her Feet are very soft, her Breasts are lank, hath only a little Milk and that Crude and Ichorous or haply no Milk, breeds in the Breasts in a Mole, for that it lives no Animal life, it enjoys no Animal or Milky Aliment, after the Animal way, or by the Mouth; whence neither the Milky Vessels in the Breasts, nor Womb are opened. She hath also the Symptoms off Pregnancy sorer, and the rest. Some add the waxing of the Belly with the Moon: But the bigness remaining after the reckoning is out, clears all.  
There are false Moles, as the Windy, a watery also( tho some refer this to its Dropsy) and sometimes these are complicated. Some mention a bloody Mole, from plenty, or a Congregation of Blood: A Mole likewise of a gross Plegmatick Humour. Moles are while alone in the Womb, and whiles together with the Infant; To which also they sometimes adhere, causing its Monstrosity, or ruin according to the Part it joins, and its Impression thereon: Yea, some have got the Infant enclosed therein. Of its Remedies and Extraction afterward.   

CHAP. X. Of a right Government in Pregnancy, against bad Accidents.  
PRegnancy though natural, is a Neuter State at best, and to many very painful, Diseased, and Unhappy, by reason of these Sore( yea sometimes Fatal) Evils occur, while they are not careful as to the Causes from without, or live not Regular in their diet, or use of the Six Non-natural things, or Necessars of Life, according to their Temperament, Custom, and Condition: Whence such Sorrows may else be happily shunned( at least more or less, according to their Disposition, and Course of Life) her welfare secured, as also the Infant's( for as she is, so is it: Yea, what but lightly afflicts the Mother. may soon kill her Child) all future Health being rooted in the Right Use of These, as is all Intemperature in their Faults, and Disorders, the many and Various Diseases also, it never claws off till Death.  
The Air about her, must be free, calm, pure, serene, finely tempered,( or fitted to her Temperature) without any Exceeding Quality, the too Hot enfeebles much, makes fevers and Abortions: The too could, Moist, Corrupt, Stuffs her with Sharp, Serous Humours, causes Rheums, and Coughs. She must shun its Tempests, Wind, Rain, Thunder, lightnings: The putrid Vapours also of faetid Stanks, Lakes, Ditches, carrion, Dunghills, Fumes of Sulphur, Charcoal, Candles extinct, and all its other Pollutions and Corruption: And some must be as wary of Smells more fragrant.  
She must keep moderate in diet, but take enough to her need and Appetite, yet rather little and oft, when once her Belly is more big, wholesome well readied Vittals, of good easy Digestion, fine juice and Temperature; Proper, and Convenient, which are made of Beef, Veal, Kid, Mutton, Pullets, Partridges, Phatsins, Doves, Fresh, Fish( chiefly of running Waters) new laid Eggs and the rest. In Order also, and Time convenient. Abstaining Meats more Hot, vehemently Warming and too Generous liquours, Spirits, Spiceries: Meats also too could( a middle matter being secureest) what is Course likewise, of hard or ill Digestion, may oppress, or grieve the Stomach, generate Crudities, Flatuosities, Obstructions Cumulate Excrements: All things beside Bitter, Sharp, diuretic( which yet are less dangerous, carrying off the Serosity only) Cathartick( which operate more strongly) diaphoretic: what moves the Courses also, excites Loathing, Vomiting, Cough, or yet Sneezing, in which all are most vehement.  
She may for all that, take good Claret at Meat, now and then a Glass of sack also, Malligo, Alicant, or other generous Calorifick liquour: Some share beside of any Meat kind else she vehemently longs for, least the Infant suffer: And to prevent or Cure her Longings, for what cannot be got, is absurd also, or noxious( for which some have an extreme, and stupendous desire and Appetite, and Eats in great plenty, a Malady familiar to the fairer Women( and from the 4th. day almost of Conception, even till the 3d. Month) and who go with fair Children, some say girls, live idly, and keep no good diet) there must be no mention nor remembrance of such things: Let her Imagination beside( from the Error of which alone, Some makes it proceed, as Others from the fault of Humours gathered about the Mouth of the Stomach) be averted to other Thoughts: Present her oft quietly good Meat, that she may never be Hungry, being then usually thus molested. There may also be given her, a Gut oil of cinnamon, Nutmeg, Oranges, with a little Sugar, Honey, Syrup of coral, Citrons, Quinces, cinnamon, or some other aromatic Cordial Water, or Elixir: And have applied to her Stomach, a Crust of Bread with Mallago, and and whiles the Countesses ointment with Tincture of Saff●on and Mint.  
Her Sleep may be more free, to 8, 9, or 10 Hours for her Custom, the Temperament and Constitution of her Body: And may be procured if needful, with Almonds, Almond Milk with Sugar, and the like Temperat, and Humectant things: Yea with little Baths, Popular ointment rubbed on the Nostrils: Or a little Julep at Bed time, of Syrup of Poppies, some Theriac, or diascord, and lettuce or Poppy Water: For as Immoderate Watchings exhausts the Spirits, impedes the Concoctions, introduces a Fervid Intemperature and Acrimony, are most Infense to all Natures full and fasting: Moderate Sleep restores, renews, Comforts, and revives all to due Elaborations: Makes not only to the Infants Nutrition, but comformation. Yet immoderate Sleep turns the Body a sink of Filth, and Nursery of the many and chronic Diseases.  
Her Motion and Exercise must be more Curious, especially as she grows bigger: With due Mediocrity, and in time convenient: It is best which exercises all the Parts of her Body equally, Paceing, Walking and the rest: Still shunning any painful, straining Exercise, as all inequal, hard, violent, or sudden Motions, Agitations, Concussions, Stretches or Wrings of the Body, all danger of Fall, as also Congress( which according to the Custom, and Opinion of Women must be more frequent while the Labour approaches, for moistening, and dilating the Parts to an easier Labour) And chiefly Women more delicate, of crazy Constitutions, Slippery, or miscarrying Wombs, who have big and lumpish Children; to whom such uneasy Joggs swings the Burden of the Womb, may cause Abortion, raise desperate Floodings, stretch or make ruption of the Ligaments, sink the Womb so low in the Hypogastres, that the Infant gets not turned, but must come by the Feet, a across, or in other ill Posture. Some will have Exercise omitted in the 1st. Month, in the 2d Month to be seldom, and slow, in the 3 d. more brisk, in the 5t●. 6th. and beginning of the 7th. more frequent, in the latter end of the 7th. the 8th. unto the middle of the 9th. abated, and after that more strong and frequent.  
She must live mirrily, be kept calm, and tranquil within, free from perturbation of more immoderate Passions, or Affections: Chiefly these vehement Commotions, Concussions, and Vexations of Mind from great Anger, Fear, Sadness( Joy also) Lamentations, sudden and doolful News of dear Relations, or other amazing dismal surprises, Spectacles, Apprehensions: Whence sometimes great Loosings, Ecstatick Stupors, Catalepsies, and other vehement Alterations: Yea Abortions in the very instant, and Death itself oft superveens.  
Let there be also, a due dejection of Excrements, chiefly the last Months( seeing then the Belly is bound, from Compression of the big Womb) using diet more Moist, Emollient, and moderately Laxating: Little easy glisters also if needful, or rather Stewed Pruns with a little Senna, Manna with Broth, or some other Lenitive.  
Some moreover, to make her keep the better to the time, order Bleeding when half gone, and in the 7th. Month( yet in choice should be rather the First Months, the Embryo being small, and the Blood more abundant, tho' then also the Burden is but little, and adheres not firmly) and is safe enough, due Circumstances being pondered: yea expedient, in case the Woman be Fleshy, and the Blood exuperant towards the Womb, to evite the danger by its Quantity( as in case of fault, or peril from its bad Quality, an Issue in her Arm or Thigh is specially useful) in opening the Vessels therein, choking the Child, or yet giving it such a Growth, as would cause a painful, perilous Labour, or even make it come Abortive: Hence some have partend with 3 or 4 in end, who at last have kept, while frequently Bled: Yea so great, and frequent is this Plethory in Some, as without repeated Bleeding, even in the last Months they could not keep: And Some such have had then both Courses, and hemorrhoids, without hurt: And Others such also, through neglect to Bleed, or by Stop of some Evacuation, have after Labour been miserable Suffocated, or Cruelly killed with epileptic fits, or turned highly feverish; Especially while their Cleansings have not vented duly: Yet must however be moderated to the Exigency, or her Plethory, Sanguine Nature, way of Living, Custom, Time, Place, and the like.  
Bleeding also is administered in their great and Acute Diseases( yea to Some very largely without any hurt) according to the Nature, Causes and Vehemency thereof, the constancy and firmness of Strength.  
Bleeding( for all that) of pregnant Women in any case, must ever be as seldom, and spare as possible: And only at the Arm, in the utter and middle Veins say Some, as having least Consent with the Womb: and may be supplied where it must not come, with Humid Cuping-Glasses, or Leeches.  
cathartics also are allowed to Women with Child( if the matter wax turgid) from the 4th. Month to the 7th. without disturbing the Embryo in the First Months, or when more young and too tender, or yet the Child in the Last, when Elder and too ripe, requiring Roborant nurture, and Medicaments: And may before also, or in the 2d. in case of necessity, or where greater Peril Impends from the Cacochymy, then the Purging, by vitiating the Blood, opening the Orifices of the Veins, moistening the Womb, relaxing the ties, loosening the Infant, and especially while Nature may concur to the Effect: Yet with the more Benign, and Lenient Purgatives only, as Reubarb, Cassia, Manna, Senna, agaric, Syrup of Roses, of Violets, Whey, Tamarrinds, Polypod, Lenitive, or Catholicon Electuary, and the rest( which yet are held not free of hurt) rightly corrected, and prepared against Grips: And with regard to Diseases Causes, Bodies, Seasons, and Condition of Months, some of which are far more perilsom then others to Part in, for both Mother and Infant: Forbearing however Aloetick Medidicines( by reason all Bitter things are suspect for the Infant) and others more Violent, the Impetuous Force of which it is not able to abide.  
Yet Some, either through Mistake, or for good Reason, have frequently given not only the strongest Purgatives, but things also which provoke the Courses, hieroglyphics and the rest, without doing hurt to Mother or Infant: Yea whiles to their Profit; and even in the 2d. 3d. and Sixth Months, and later: So that there is no so great fear at least in giving diuretics, and Purgatives, as is commonly made, though it is better to be too Cautious, then Confident.  
Neither yet may Bleeding and Purging be used, to provoke Abortion, being so hard to do with some, and more dangerous then the Disease or Applications.  
She must the while slacken her Dress by degrees, and go easy, for full skope to her Breasts, and the waxing Belly; for else being pressed, and hard pinched about with stiff and straight laced Busks, the Infant is marred of its Ease, and just Growth, made misshapen, and forced away before due time: And her Belly withall, being hereby thrust only downward, remains much Wrinkly, and Bagging after Labour. Now follows the principal Indispositions usually attend this state of Pregnancy.   

CHAP. XI. Of Vomitings.  
MOst Women use to have( instantly, or a little after Conceiving) an utter Aversion, and Abhorrence of some their wonted Meats, together with an Implacable Loathing, Sickness, and Vomitings, which vexes them sore, chiefly in the Mornings, and oftest the First Months only, yet Some their whole time, though a little easier: And is held( with the stop of their Courses) a prime Sign of Impregnation.  
This Alteration is said to arise from Corrupt Humours in the Stomach, through Stop of the Courses: Or a slain of the whole Blood( the Spittle also and Ferment of the Stomach) by Commixture of a more gross Blood, and corrupted in stagnating about the Womb. Sharp vapours also, arising from Corruption nested below, and communicated to the Stomach; excites Vomitings, while they prick and irritate its Expulsive Faculty more sharply, and Loathings only while more lightly. Some make it proceed from the Stomach's Sympathy with a dolorous Sense that while in the Womb, and that through similitude of theit Membranes, and continuity of the same little Nerves and Vessels; as in Labour and nephritic Pains, Hysterick Passions, and Laesions of the Brain, or its Membranes. Some will have it introduced from the Spirit of the Mans Seed.  
They are not much cared for at first▪ while Moderate, as it were Spontaneous, and easily born: Yea by some held Wholesome, the Crudities remaining in the Bowels( while the Infant draws the Purer and more subtle Matter) being by Nature's special care translated to the Stomach, and thus ejected: And such are said to have the Fairest Children: And so must either be suffered, or by degrees corrected with a most Strict diet only.  
They readily mend after the 2d. 3d. or 4th. Month, or with the quickening: Such Superfluities being by that time much cast off, and diminished by the Vomitings, and Concocted also, the Woman eating little this this while: Or now consumed by the Infant, which being bigger, stronger, and of more confirmed Bowels, draws a more copious Aliment, and so a part of this Superfluity: The Womb withall taking better with its distension: So that what was Inusual, becomes now Natural and gives no Alteration.  
If they persevere( as with Some to the very Labour) be more vehement, painful, and with great strainings, and if what she takes be instantly cast up, as Some( though others long after) there is great danger of Miscarriage( especially where the Womb is less Firm, the Infant more Feeble, her Time more near, and she any way else disposed to Abortion) by reason of these hard and sore Compressions, Agitations and Concussions made hereby. Through this Subversion of the Stomach also, and Ejection of the Aliment, both must fail for want.  
For some relief to her in the case( for it is most rare to be quiter freed beside her diet as already directed,( which would be delicious to the Taste, actually more could, and in such quantity as her Stomach may easily contain) juice of lemons, of Oranges, or Rose Vinegar, are very good with her Meat: As are all things moderately Acid( unless her Stomach be of more Exquisite sense) pleasantly Auster, and Astringent, more Saltish also: With such Spiceries beside, as are more grateful to Women( unless she have Heart Scaldings, Yet she best abstain Fat Meats, Fat and sugared Sauces, and other stuff of hard, or ill Digestion. Her Drink may be good old Claret with water, well fermented middle Ale, tincture of Roses, brisk cider, Perry, Goos-berry Wine and the like, she Loves or may come at. After Meals she may eat a little Marmalat of Quinces, jelly of goose berries, or Rizars; a sharp Pear, some Constringent or Digestive Powder or Tablet.  
Many things else she may use at times to Comfort, firm, and settle her Stomach( for she is not a subject for every Medicine) correct its Crudity and Softness, dissolve and expel Wind, excite Appetite, help to contain and concoct the Food: As preserved green Ginger, candied Nutmegs, Myrabolans, Orange, and Citron Peel, Elacampan, Prunella's, Conserve of Mint, of Sage Flowers, Rosemary, Betony, Roses Vitriolated: Confection Alkermes, of Hyacinth, Aromaticum Rosatum, Caryophyllatum, Species Diambrae, Dianthûs, Powder of coral, of Pearl, Crabs-Eyes, mastic: Syrup of Quinces,[ of Myrtles, Mint, Wormwood, coral, sharp pomegranates, juice of Citrons, of Dry Roses: Salt of Mint, of Wormwood; Spirit of Vitriol, and many others, such as the Cause and Occasion requires chiefly that smelleth sweet) with their other Preparations also, of Waters, Wines, Tinctures, Quintessences, Spirits, oils: Of which there may be Compositions to the foresaid Intents.  
There are outward applications for the Stomach, as distilled oils of Mace, Nutmeg, Mint, mastic, Wormwood, oils of Myrtles, Quinces, Roses, the Countesses ointment with Tincture of Saffron, and Mint: The mastic plaster, plaster of Crust of Bread, a Crust steeped in some generous Wine, Rose-Vinegar, juice of Quinces, or Mint; with Astringents and Spices thereon: Sharp Leaven steeped in Vinegar, and juice of Mint: A Stomacher also of things more Fragrant, and Sweet: In Winter, the Skin of a Hare, or cat, or of rapacious Fouls.  
Some for all that Vomit still, even when over half Term, and to such little easy Purges are tried, of Senna, rhubarb, Syrup of Cichory with rhubarb, of Roses Solutiv with Senna, and the like as suits her Condition, and the peccant Humour: Yet some choose Bleeding rather, being caused by the Blood retained, and seen aggravated by Purges, but much relieved by Bleeding, yea wholly removed, if repeated Monthly till it cease.  
In end, when nothing avails, large Cupping Glasses are to be applied to the Stomach: Yea opiates and narcotics also are used when Vehemently urgent, and afflicting, to temper the Acrimony of the Humours, bridle their vicious Effervescence, and dull the Sense  
Some Bellies swell big and high, does so compress and straighten the Stomach, that the Vomitings continue, yea shall wax worse the nearer Labour, and Cures only by Delivery.   

CHAP. XII. Of Pains in the Back, Reins, Hips and groins.  
THey proceed from the ample distension, and sore Weight of the big Womb, and the painful Compression it makes, in bearing upon the parts about, very grievous to the more delicate and infirm: From a Vehement Stretch also, of its Ligaments, which suffer greater stress and pain in the First Child, and a very big Womb then ever after, coming still more easily to their first Stint.  
The Ligaments though valid, soft, lax, yet are easily rent and broken, when thus highly extended by the appending Load of such a big Womb, and that upon any stumble, inequal or false step, hard wring, stretch of the Body, rude stir or external Violence, and brings vehement Pains, Vomitings, fevers, and other pernicious Accidents: Yea Abortion readily, especially if there be Lo●sings or Bloody Excretions from the Womb, for then it certainly begins to open: And now she must Bleed in the A●m, have Anod●● Strengthening Cordials, astringent plasters and others, such Symptoms require. And for prevention hereof, she must be very Curious of her Sin and Exercise with this big Belly, and beware of Suddenties: Take all the Ease, and Quiet she can, in Bed, or otherwise: And if she cannot sustain the grievous Weight thereof, she may lighten it, by hanging the same to her Neck, and Shoulders in a convenient Swath.  
These prove Nephratick or Gravel pains in Some subject thereto, who may use oil of Almonds alone, or with sugar Candy, Syrup of Althaea, lemons, white Wine▪ a decoction of liquorice, and Cicers: Broths also of meadows, Althaea, Netles, gray Pease, with much Butter, and a little Salt: The Water, or Decoction of Winter Cherries, Grass roots, Restharrow: Powder of Burr-dock seed in Posset, and the like, to open, relax, enlarge and make Slippery the Passages, gently move the Matter, and ease the Pain: Burnt Egg shells in white Wine, to expel more strongly, if the Pain continue: Or the Infusion of Millepedes in Reenish or white Wine: Or dulcified Spirit of Niter: Spirit of Salt, Sal prunella, Perficary water and the rest: Outwardly also Fomentations, Unctions. The Belly this while must be kept soluble.   

CHAP. XIII. Of pains of the Breasts.  
WOmens Breasts become a little mor●… hard, and swell somewhat after Conceiving, a Sign thereof to some: and is said to happen, by the Stop of their Courses, much Bloo●… breeding daily, and but little converted to th●… young Embryo; whence its redundancy in th●… vessels, and Exoneration to the Breasts, a●… aptest to receive it, which being imbibe●… into their spongy and hollow Kernels, painfully Swell and hardens them, and more o●… less for their Repletion, which becomes th●… greater as they have pain. The like may happen in a simplo Suppression of the Courses.  
At first, She may only keep them warm, and easy, secured against any outward hurt, may Cause Inflammation and Abscess: Yet if after the 3d or 4th Month, the Pain remain, the Solidity also and Bigness growing daily to a hight, as almost to the end of the 8th Month, she may Bleed if plethoric, and use a small, spare, cooling diet. For these being most light Symptoms, admits few things, and topics do nought, unless they grow extreme hard, which then must mo●lify and digest, lest haply they fall into most Vehement Pains, or some Praeternatural tumour, which most quickly turn into Suppuration.   

CHAP. IV. Of Incontinency and difficulty of Urin.  
THey both proceed of the big distended Womb, compressing the B●adder placed upon, and adhering to it: For while it greatly compresses the Bottom thereof, ●t, mars the Reception of a due Quantity of Urin, and Retention a just time( tho this may come from Resolution of the Sphincter) whence the bigger she grows, the ofter she Pisses: And compressing the Neck thereof( as happens the first Months, to these who have the Womb fallen, and in the last, after the Child is turned, and falls lower) it mars its Egress and makes a Laborious Pissing. The Acrimony beside of her Urin, may irritat its Premature Exclusion, as may the Heat and Scalding thereof, inflaming the Neck of the Bladder, or Urinacy Passages, cause a Suppression, or this Difficulty. A ston also striking against the Neck of the Bladder in Pissing. And whiles some drops of Urin remaining after Pissing, in folds of the Neck of the Bladder( which are greatly pressed, and plied downward the last Months) and turning sharp through stay there●n, smarts and provokes to this frequent Pissing, and with great Labour, and no less Pain, then she had a ston or Ulcer.  
They are very Irksome and Hurtful for the big Womb, which must needs loosen, and bear much down, in a long continuance of these frequent Endeavours, Vehement forcings downward, and trouble in Pissing: Yea may be urged ( the Annoyance remaining) to cast the Fruit untimely.  
If the turgid Womb be the cause hereof, as oftest, she may ly along before she make Water, and when it is to come, raise up the Bottom of her Belly with both hands: She may also carry it up in a Swath, or then keep Bed.  
When they proceed from Acrimony, and heat of the Urin, she must use a Cool, Le●en● Humectant diet( especially what is made of Ba●ley) as what else may contemper that Hea●, and Sharpness of the Humours, Cool, and Cleanse the Urinary ways: As waters of meadows, read Poppies, Pu●slane, lettuce, with Syrup of Violets, read Poppies, Jujubes, Salprunellae: Or the Decoction of could Seeds: Or yet Whey therewith: Emulsions also of Almonds, the could Seeds, and of White Poppies, with Barley-Broth: Or made of chestnuts, with the Decoction of liquorice and lettuce Seeds: Or large Draughts of new milked Milk: Small Ale, Ptisan also, or Barley Water, wherein liquorice is Boiled; or with Syrup of Violets: Forbearing things Acrimonious, Acid, Salt, strong liquours, Spiceries, strong Purges: And it thus she ease not, Bleeding is ordered: Cooling and Emollent Applications for the outward entry of the Neck of her Bladder: with the like Injections thereinto: Half Baths also in extremity. And if yet the Woman cannot make Water, it must at last be brought away with a Catheter, softly introduced into the Hollow of the Bladder, or a W●x Candle anointed with oil of Roses; which serves also to remove back the ston, if it stop the Neck of the Bladder: and is all can then be done with a Big One, though endeavours may be made for extracting the Smaller.   

CHAP. XV. Of the Cough and difficult Breathing.  
NOthing so much hastens the Labour, or excites Abortion, as a sore; long continual Cough: because of such great Concussions, and sudden, vehement Convulsions of the Body, in these violent, and momentany Excussions of the enclosed Air, with which the Lungs are much extended: Whence such forcible Depressions of the big Womb, as may ●… elax its Ligaments, separat the 2 din, raise ●… loodings, or make her come before the Time. Besides other cruel Symptoms it ●… rings, as loss of Appetite, Vomitings, drought, ●… atc●ings, fevers, Suffocations, hard Breath●… g, pains of the Head, Hypocondres, and the ●… est: Yea a Wast, and Weakness of the whole Body in the progress. And that also which ●… s from a sharp Matter, easily procures Ero●… ion of the Lungs, and spitting of Blood.  
The Cough is raised, by whatever may penetrat, prick, or any way irritat, and mo●… est the Wind-pipe, Lungs, and other Instruments of Respiration: Be it External, chiefly ●… n Intemperate Season: Or Fluxions thereon from the Head, of Pituitous, Serous Humours, Salt, or Acrimonious, and the rest: The like ●… lso abounding in the Blood in Cacechymick Persons, and carried thither: Or yet some noisome biting Vapour. It is much promoved in the Last Months▪ as is her difficult Breathing by the turgent Womb( the Parts and Bowels of the Abdomen, being thereby driven upwards so close to the Midrif, as to mar its free Motion) by her Plethory also. And Some have difficult Breathing from a gross Catarrah, lying about the Entry, and marring the Access of Air to the Lungs, or possessing the Pipes, and Cells thereof, so as the Air cannot extend them.  
If her Cough proceed from a common Cause, she must keep warm, use a good, light, lenient diet, yet very spare and sober, of roasted Meat( or rather no Flesh) fresh Eggs, Barley, Rice, Currans, Raisins, Figs, apple, Almonds, Panado's also, Water Gruels, Bread boiled with Milk, or Ale, Sugar Candy, or Butter, which is very pectoral, and Others, as the Occasion directs. Abstaining Wines, Fishes, what is of hard or ill Digestion, is Acid, Salt, Spiced, or other pricking Quality. Things actually too could, or too Hot. Avoiding also all Tempests, Inclemency, Fogs or Corruption of the Air, chiefly at Night.  
Many Pectorals beside are directed, and Others proper for relief hereof, to moderate, or take away its Vehemency; prepared of Roots, Herbs, Flowers, Seeds, and Others in Ptisans, Decoctions, Apozems, Syrups, Lochohs, Lozenges and the rest; so contempered as may best alter, correct, and qualify the Humour, facilitate its Expectoration, lenify and smooth the Parts, shut the Pores, and preserve from Illapse of the Fluxion, Comfort and Cleanse the Lungs, and the rest: And be thus best adapted to the Disease, its Causes, and Symptoms, according to the various Indications, and to all due ●ntentions: choosing ever such as do not much move the Courses. And so, for a Gross Matter, Syrup of Hyssop is used, of H●dge Mustard, Jerusalem-Oak, oil of Anis, Flowers of Sulp●ur with Sugar Candy, balsam of Sulphur Anisat, and the like: For a Thin, Syrup of Jujubes, of Violets, read Poppies, Diatragacanthum Frigidum, Sugar of Roses, Pectoral Roul●, and the rest. Lochoh Sanum beside, is used in a C●ugh, Lochoh of Colworts, of Colts, foot, Syrup of Maiden Hair, of Liqui●ish, of Sugar-Candy, of Colts-Foot: oil of Sweet Almonds, Diacodium Solidum, Extract of Ecac●mpan, Spanish juice of Liquirist, and the rest. Though in a dry Cough, where no matter is to come up, they are to no purpose.  
Hypnoticks also are proper, Rheums and and Catarrhs, being digested, lenified, and stayed by Sleep, the Powers of the Head fortified: Such as Syrup of Poppies, Pills of Hounds-Tongue, of Styrax, Theriac, diascord, yea Laudanum, in case the Breast be free, and not quiter stuffed, with Gross, Tough, Pi●uit. easy glisters also: Gentle Purges of Manna, Cassia, Polypod, Syrup of Roses, Whey: So as she may have daily Passage, by Art or Nature: Bleeding beside in a Plethory, or Surcharge of Blood in the Lungs. Vesicators, Issues, and other particular Evacuations: Perfumes, and Spiced Ceps, to dry and roborate the Head. The Breast and Stomach may be rubbed with oil of Mace, and Ants, and kept warm with a Swans, or cats Skin, or things equivalent. oil of Anis, Fennel, and Carraway ●eeds, may be used, if the trouble proceed of Wind or vapours. If it happen from a close Compression the Womb makes upward, where the Child sits high, or its huge tumour and distension being Shok full, the Burden ready to be emitted, and the Womb still shut, whence some go near to expire( these otherwise straight or Anhelous) or have all split. Such must keep easy, and in slacken Dress, move softly, use Unctions, Eat and Drink very Spare, nothing V●scous or Windy, of hard or ill Digestion, shun Passion, Fear chiefly, and Anger, which hurls the Blood upon the Lungs and Heart in too great abundance, and overcharge of its Ventricles.   

CHAP. XVI. Of the Swelling and Pains of Thighs and legs.  
THe Circulation turning here more slow, chiefly towards Labour, through grossness of the Blood: Its Ascent also, or free Afflux to the Heart, being obstructed by the Compression the big Womb makes of the Iliach Veins, These below must greatly distend and tumify with plenty thereof, as in all hard Compressions and ties, which bursting out into the Substance, and Coverings of the Parts, thus swells them: And hereby whiles the Coats of the Veins in the whole Limb, are so much relaxed( their Fibres being split through this vehement distension) as they can never be Contracted again to their Natural State, and Varices rise thereon, through a Dilatation the Blood makes( yea, or Ruption in full Veins of Sanguine Women upon a fall, Violence, or rude Stir) of the Valvules( sometimes so great as to endanger external Ruption) being long stagnant therein, whence also it may alter and corrupt, cause great pain and inflammation.  
The Woman now best keep Bed, where lying Warm, and equal, the Humours become more fluid, their intestine Motion advanced: Hence the Swelling usually falls against Morning. The Varices also may have Astringent Applications, a firm Compress and Bandage seeing they cannot be cut out) to intercept the Blood, or set it on in its progressive Motion, and prevent their further Dilatation: She may Bl●ed also in case of a Plethory.  
Some Legs swell, and turn Oedematous, merely from Weakness and want of Natural heat, after some former trouble, and by reason of their situation under the Burden, and such distance from the Fountain of Heat: Or from some Excrementitious Serosity or Pituit discharged thereon, collected, and congealed by little and little, and not expelled, or through ill Disposition of the Lymphae-aucts.  
The Woman in this Case( which is said to be most frequently with girls) must use a good diet, which somewhat Warm and Dry, Meats of easy Fermentation, rather roasted than Boiled: drink clear, thoroughly boiled Ale, a little more strong, a Glass also of good Wine before and after Dinner, make moderat Exercise, a due Dejection of Excrements, keep Merry, and the rest.  
The Applications, when needed, must open the Pores, attenuate, dissolve and dry up the Matter: With Repellents in the beginning, not too Astringent: As Fomentations of Elder-Flower Water, with Spirit of Wine: Or Decoction of Wormwood, Centroy, Sage, Suthernwood, Time; Flowers of Rosemary, Chamemel, Elder, Lavender, Roses: Seeds of Cumen, Gith, Bay Berries, Junipers, and others, which warm and comfort the Parts: And may be Boiled also afterwards for their Corroboration in strong read Wine, adding Balausts, Cupress nuts, mastic, alone and the like: or be fomented with Spirit of Wine, or Treacle Water; Compresses, or raw linen, being wet therein, expressed, applied warm, and frequently renewed. They may also be well Anointed, at a Fire with ointment of Rue, Martiatum, Althaea with Adstringens, or the Countesses ointment: With Nard oil also, or oil of Dill, Worms, Marjoram, mastic: and have plasters of Diachulon, Oxycrocum, read led, mastic. But this usually being a light Swelling, arising mostly from the 4th. Month, after the other Symptoms cease, through the weight of her Tument Womb, and falls i● the Night, and if withall she be otherwise well, it may be committed to Nature only, and remitted to the Delivery, which she must wait with all Quiet and Ease, when such Superfluities( as these also of the whole Habit) are cast off by a copious Cleansing, the afflicted Parts relieved and strengthened. Yet if it arise of Cacochymy, the tumour be great, fall not in the Night, vex her from the Beginning of Pregnancy, with fear of inflammation, or Ulcer, Cachexcy or Dropsy, as may be gathered from her Complexion and state of the Natural Functions, a greater Provision is requisite in a proper diet, Purging, sweeting, and the rest: With such Applications as the occasion shall direct. Any Disease beside of the Bowels, or noble Parts it may depend upon, must be seen to and removed.   

CHAP. XVII. Of Haemmoroids.  
MAny big Women are sore amnoyed herewith: Proceeding from plenty of Blood, and Humours gathering upon the Extremities of these Vessels without vent: whence they lengthen, bunch out, and distend into Tumers: Some Hard like Warts, Some Soft like Mulberries, and sometimes of a Purple Colour like Grapes. Some are blind, which sand forth little or no Blood, Some Open and Bleeds much. Some are Less, and the Pain more remiss, Some swell monstrously Big with Inflammation Heat, and a most atrocious Pain according to their distension. Some are Internal, Some External. They are oftimes caused, exasperated also, and increased by her hard straining to discharge her Costive B●lly.  
The swelling ones are seldom dangerous, unless so Inflamed as to threaten a gangrene: Yet are sometimes so Tormenting, as to give much ado for Ease and Cure. If they come to Suppuration or Ulcer, they oftimes leave a Fistula for the most part incurable.  
If they be yet small, and the Pain more remiss, the Fluxion must be diminished, intercepted, averted: Their increase prevented. The Big and Painful indicates a Mitigation( else the Malady exasperates) by Bleeding, if there be Pithory: G●ysters( if they come or augment by hardened Excrements greatly distending the Fundament) Emollient only, as of fat Broths, Emollient Decoction, or Milk with a little Honey to keep the Belly, fluid: For which she may use Cassia, Tamarinds, W●●●: kee●ing a slender, Cool Incrassant D●et, more Humi● and Laxant: As boiled M●at, Barley B●oths with pot Herbs, or prun●, stewed Barley with Currans, Broths of Pou●●ry, or Veal, Panado's and the like: And best keep bed this while.  
The topic are made Cooling, Emollient and Anod● e without great Astriction: As lineaments Unguents of oil of Linseed, Eggs, Roses, Chamemel, Flaxweed, Almonds, white Poppies, Galens cooling ointment, ointment of Poplar, of Tob●cco, Butter, Hogs or Hens Greas: balsam of Sulphur, oil of Box-wood, Sugar of led, yea opium in Vehement Pain. ointments of Toadflax, and of Pilewort are sudorifics. Fomentations also of Althaea, meadows, Pellitory of the Wall, Flaxweed, flowers of Chamemel, Melilot, Dill, Mullein, Linseed, Fenogre●k, and the rest, Boiled in Broth of Sheeps Entrails, sweet or churned Milk. Cataplasms moreover, of these, or of white Bread boiled in Milk, adding Yolks of Eggs, Safron Camphor and oil of Roses: Or made of Onions roasted, roasted Leek Roots, or sweet apples, mixed with Butter or Lard. Contused Purslane also is applied for ease, leaves of green-Elder, linen dipped in Painters Vervice, a Fomentation of could Water, or of Rose-water and Sugar of led: Some extol Ashes of Cork with Capons Greese: Unctions also, with oil of Amber alone, or with equal parts of oil of Almonds: And many more such like, simplo or more Compound, as the Pain and Inflammation must be eased, the tumour exsiccated and discussed: And if These still continue, they must at length be opened with Leeches, or a Lancet if Soft, and Bleed to 2 or 3 Ounces. When they op●n of themselves( as whiles by the plenty and force of Blood distending the Vessels too much) the Pain lessons, the sharp saltish Blood being thus evacuated.  
If they Bleed moderately, they alleviat in a Plethory. In Some they bleed oft, and much, in place also of the Courses; yet without any hurt to Mother, or Child: Yea have been worse when stopped. If they flow too abundant, and long, the Thighs grow weak, the Hips feel a heavy Pain, the Complexion alters, they bring Coldness, Cachexy, Atrophy, Dropsy, by voiding a Blood too subtle and spirituous, the Treasure of Life, and Foment of the whole Body.  
For Stop, or Moderation, there are inward Lenients, Incrassators, Astringents, Dryers, such mentioned in Floodings: With outward Astringents also, as a Fomentation of Mullein in Smiths Water, or astringent Wine: Or a Fomentation of Acorns and Oak Leaves: Cataplasims of Dragons blood, sealed Earth, Bole, Acacia, Spiders-webs, the hairs of a Hare burnt, and the rest mixed with the Whites of Eggs, or juice of Plantain: applied to the Vein if it appear, or softly thrust up in form of a Suppositor into the Fundament: Into which Injections may be made. Gentle Purgation is used of rhubarb, Myrabolans, Tamarinds. Bleeding also, with the other means of Revulsion; and what else may conduce for Cure.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of pregnant Womens Belly Fluxes.  
THey may have a Lientery, where the Aliments pass Crude not changed soon after they have been taken: A Diarrhy or ordinary Flux, a more speedy frequent and copious Excretion of Excrements and Humors than is meet or usual, yet without any strong sense of Pain: A Dysentery also, or Flux of bloody Matter, with dolorous Grips, from Exesion and Exulceration of the guts. Any of which, when Vehement and Lasting easily brings Abortion( Decay also, or deadly Consumption) by substraction of the Aliment, Dissipation and Wast of the Spirits and Strength; chiefly the Dysentery, with a Tenesm, having such gnawing Pains, and constant Stimulations, to a perpetual( almost) Desire, and Necessity of going to Stool, without avoiding Excrements, from an Acid biting humour sticking about the Fundament. Beside, that by this Depression of all in the Abdomen, the Womb is strongly compressed, and forced downward, its Ligaments relaxed( for the same Muscles which serve to expel the Excrements, are employed for Delivery) and the Infant poisoned with the stink of continually dejected Excrements. Some Women however have had a Belly Flux this While, yet safely laid at full Time, and the Child well: But if it cease not at Labour, in a very short time after she dies.  
A Flux happens to Big Women, mostly from the could Humid Distemper of the Stomach, the Weakness of its retentive Faculty, a dull Ferment and bad Concoction, so exceedingly advanced by degrees, through their various and absurd Desires, unruly diet, and frequent Vomitings, that the Aliment passes quiter unaltered, or else converts into a Corrupt Acrimonious chill, provocking to this praemature, frequent, and torminous Excretion. It may arise also from Phlegm, or sharp Humors irritating the Expulsive Faculty.  
As to Cure, the Means against her Vomitings are proper in a Lientery, where the Stomach being thus extremely debilitated, turned Flaccid and lax in its Membranes, is best corroborated with aromatics a little Auster, mixed with generous Wine, or its Spirit: With things also pleasantly Acid: By drinking Spirituous, but little Drink, good Claret, Spanish Wine, Canary Hippocras, Wormwood Wine: Abstaining things very Waterish, actually could, or Chill: cathartics also, where the trouble comes of Weakness only. There may be outward Applications of things aromatic, Warming, and Astringent. If it be only a gentle Flux of Excrements, with some superfluous Humors, it needs no speedy Cohibition, but only be moderated by a proper diet; yet where it looks to last, the peccant humour in the guts, which may Foment it, must be purged off by an easy Infusion of Senna and Reubarb with Syrup of Cichory: By Catholicon also, or Lenitive, with powder of rhubarb: Using after ●heriac, diascord, Confection of Hyacinth, steeled Water, or Milk, the white Decoction, Decoction of Tormentìl Roots, or Oak Leaves. Aliments more solid, styptic, and of a pleasant Austerity, which incrassat and dry.  
If it turn a Dysentery, or bloody Flux, its Cure must be wrought by due Expurgation of the vicious Matter, with Potions of rhubarb, Myrobotans, Tamarinds, Santals, Leaves and Seeds of Plantain, infused in Cichory, Endive or Purslane Water, adding Almonds, Barley, liquorice, Cassia, Raisins, or the like, which may together temper, and alloy the Humors: Using it as frequently as the Patient can bear. Powder of rhubarb is usually given, first Raw, then Torrified: Infusion, or Powder of Mechoacan, is also commended. glisters, beside are used( tho if the trouble be in the upper guts, there must be none, or few: And then also it proves deadly for the most part, the Stomach being brought by consent to vomiting and Hiccough) first Anodin, of Milk, with yolks of Eggs, Turpentine, oil of Almonds: Or of Milk boiled with Althaea Roots: Or with read Roses, Chamemel and Melilot flowers: Or then made of Mutton, Chicken or Capon Broth: Or decoction of the intestines and Extremities of Veal or Mutton: Adding narcotics in extremity. These Detergent are next, of common Decoction with Honey, or Sugar of Roses: Or the Decoction of Roses, Bran● with brown Sugar: Or Turpentin with the White of an Egg. glisters in end, of things Vulnerary and Astringent, which may dry, consolidate and bind: As juice of Plantain alone, or with Milk or Barley Water: Or Gum arabic, or Tragacanth, or Sarcacol, or Frankincense, or mastic in Plantain Water: Tho it is fit Cleansers be still intermixed; yet usually all these Jndications and more are Answered in one and the same glister. While these are giving, things of the same nature may be taken by the Mouth, which incrassat, astrict the ways, sist the Fluent Cause, quiter stop the Flux, and strengthen the Part: As jelly of Harts-horn, Broths of glueing Extremities, with Sorrel, purslane, Endive: Or with Gum arabic, or Tragacanth: Or made of the fat guts of a Sheep, with some oil: Steeled, or Rice Milk and Sugar, with Yolks of Eggs: Milk Pottage of fine Bread: Bread made of Barley Flower, with Yolks of Eggs, and eaten with Milk and Sugar: Or Cows Milk with Conserve of Roses, or boiled with Yolks of Eggs: Or crumbs of fine Bread toasted, in brisk Claret, styptic, and Astringent: Or a Nutmeg toasted in Embers taken therein, if there be no Fever: Or the Wine alone, with which she may be the ofter( tho sparing) refreshed. Drinking also Water with Conserve of Roses: Tincture of Roses: Decoction of Oak Leaves, or of mastic, with Syrup of coral, Quinces, Myrtles, dry Roses. Proceeding to things stronger, in case of Vehemency and great wast of Strength: As Broths with Roots of Bistort, Tormentil, Comfrey: Leaves of Plantain, Pimpinell, Horse-tail, Ladies Mantle, and the rest. opiates of old Conserve of Roses, Conserve of Quinces, of Comfrey, diascord, Confection of Hyacinth, Alkermes: powders of coral, Pearl, sealed Earth, burnt Harts-horn, Bole, Blood ston, Dragons Blood, mastic, Gum arabic, Tragacanth. Juleps also may be frequently given of Astringent Waters, or Decoctions, Syrups, powders with narcotics, beside, chiefly Laudanum. Cautious however of a too sudden, or too great Astriction before the bad Humors be quiter purged out: So that in case too much Binding do hurt one must Purge again, then Bind, and after Purge again. There are Extern Applications to the Stomach, and Belly, Anodin, Astringent and Strengthening: Such chiefly mentioned in Vomiting: For the Stomach being corroborated, all Fluxes soon stop.   

CHAP. XIX. Of Courses, of Flooding, and Whites.  
THo the Courses most naturally neither do, nor ought to flow in pregnant Women: Yet Some( but the fewest of all, and the case is very rare) have them duly( tho in less Quantity, and Some say of a pale Colour, and always show ill diet; which therefore Nature casts off as unfit for the Childs nourishment) till the 4th or 5th Month: Yea Some more plethoric, all their Time, discharging that Redundancy( more or less, for their Disposition and Plenitude) with the Moon, or at the usual time, by Vessels which terminate in the outer Neck of the Womb, and sheathe lest flowing through the Womb, the Infant be therewith overwhelmed, and made Abortive( tho Some make it come by the Infant in plenty enough, without doing it hurt, being closs wrapped in the Membranes, and pass through the Womb) destilling from the Vessels by drops, and in small Quantity: Without any weal-public procuring Cause, Pain, Weaknes●, or other Trouble to the Mother or Infant as in Flooding: and may therefore be committed to Nature, with a convenient diet only, being beneficial for the small Embryo proceeding thus of abundance merely, and would need Bleeding if unduly stopped.  
If she Bleed in greater plenty, and through the Heat, Acrimony, Thinness, Motion, or other Fault of the Blood itself, the Laxity, or Apertion of the Vessels, or External Cause( there being no signs of Plethory) and if Pains in the loins accompany, Grips in the Belly, Swoonings, imbecility of Mother, and Infant, it must be carefully seen to, the Blood tempered and stopped for fear of Parting, the Vessels Roborated and healed, by a Cool Lenient diet, Incrassating and astringent: And the other Remedies Intern and Extern mentioned for a Dysentery and Floodings with what else may comfort, Cherish, and Roborat the Belly, or Embryo ever hereby weakly: Avoiding all things may sharpen, heat, and move the Blood: chiefly Choler which agitates, inflames, disperses, and troubles all the Spirits and Mass of Blood.  
Yet this Course is only proper, while the Bleeding is moderat, and continues not, the Child is alive, and any Hope to prevent its Abortion: For if it prove a real Flooding, or torrent of florid Blood springing through the Womb, almost on a sudden, from a violent Cause, incessant, with great Pains, Faintings, Swoonings Convulsions, nothing avails( however it happen) but a present Delivery, and riddance of every thing in the Womb: Be it a false Conception, or Mole( Whence it usually arises when young with Child, while the Womb works to voided it) a true One or Child: At any time of the Reckoning: And without waiting Pains and Throws as in the Labour( unless they continue more strong and quick) or a due Dilatation of the Womb, or breaking of the Membranes: Which now for dispatch must be broken with the Hand, the Case being urgent, where Some have died in 7 Hours Some in 4: And the rather, if there be any Loosening or separation of the Burden, as after a Blow, Stumble, Violence, or other Hurt which can never more join, or fasten, and so neither the Vessels close, nor the Bleeding cease, till the Womb be quiter cleared of the Child( which must now be brought by the Feet what ever other Part offer, unless the Head be direct in the Birth) and whatever else it contains: That by Contracting it self, as it does presently after, and returning to its former Hardness and Solidity, the Vessels are Compressed; the Bleeding stopped, and the the Woman saved, if the Delivery have been got opportunely dispatched: Which should therefore be hastened. Usiing such Means in the time against her Fainting, Weakness and Vehemency of the Bleeding, as are for Floodings after Labour, that she may preserve Strength to come through the Operation, and recover after.  
This Flooding may proceed in Some from a Cleft or Rent of the substance of the Womb, through its too great distension( tho Some hold it to grow still the thicker, the more it is distended) any Violence, Hurt, or considerable Contusion; yet cannot be known but by Dissection after Death: And is ever incurable, even after Delivery, whither she bring forth of her self, or by hands: While there can be no Reunion of its Substance, nor can it make that solid Contraction of itself, or Compression of the Vessels, as when it is entire. Beside that then an Inflammation must always follow which ever kills her.  
Flooding with a Mole, or false Conception is nothing so dangerous, as with the true One or Child, none being found to die of That, and rarely any escapes of This, unless the Deliver: be more quick, especially the nearer she is her Time, the Labour being then the more difficult, the Vessels also of the Womb so hugely Tumid and Distent with Blood.  
Some Cacohymick Women have then also( and more readily then at other Times) a Flux of Whites, from pituitous Humors congested in the Vessels and Substance of the Womb: And haply through the whole Body, taking its greater increase from Crudities of the first Concoctions: But the Crud Filth comes from the Womb, either White, or Waterish, or Livid and Sanious. And when long Vehement and Acrimonious, brings Cachexy, Swoonings, Weakness, Swelling of the Legs; Gnawing Pains of the Reins, Decay, Abortion, Relaxation, Descent, Yea Exulceration or Ulcers of the Womb; which may in end convert into Cancers, as happens where they have a Malignity.  
In this case they must use a wholesome light dry diet, roasted meat rather than boiled: Abstaining Fish, Milk, Herbs, green Fruits, or other Humid Excrementitious Stuff, too much Sleep or Sloth, too much Drink, or without eating: Coition also: Must now and then gently Purge, and use diet Drink, of Sarsaparilla, Guajac, Mastick-wood, Sasafras and the rest: according to her Temperament. Astringent Wine also, and many other Astringents outward and inward: As Roots of Comfry, Plantain, of Salomons Seal, of Dropwort, flowers of the white dead Netle, Theriac, Mithridat and Others mentioned in Flooding: And such as may comfort strengthen and dry the Womb, and Stomach, better the Concoction, and mend that Intemperature. But among all things Some praise read coral, and its Preparations: As Others the White, which they will have always taken for repressing this Flux. She may have Issues also in her Thighs or Legs for a more firm Diversion: And for Revulsion, Cuping-Glasses to the Shoulders and Back: Frictìons and Ligatures: yet no Bleeding, neither Injections nor Suffumigations.   

CHAP. XX. Of the Weight or bearing down of the Womb.  
THe distension of the Big Womb hinders its Prolapse: Yea, hath Cured it in Some when far out, being then gradually drawn up: It does however slip and bear much down in Some, whiles so far as to incommode their Walking, and Coition, and which they have found so weighty at the Bottom of their Belly, as to fear all ready to fall out: Causing also( chiefly towards the Reckoning) a profaneness and Sleeping in the Hips and Thighs, difficulty of Stool and Urin. And then putting a Finger into the sheathe, the Womb and its inner Orifice is felt there, fallen very near the Water-gate, chiefly while the Woman stands upright.  
This proceeds from great Stretch, Relaxation, or Solution of the Unity of its Ligaments, chiefly the flat Ones, whereby it hangs suspended on each side to the Loins, and that either from the appending Weight, and heavy Carrìage of the Burden, and so much the more the bigger it is: Or if then there happen Stumble, Fall, any Shake or Concussion thereof: From Violence also, and Stress in the preceding Labour: And very oft from a redundancy of Humors moistening and relaxing the same, in Women phlegmatic, or troubled with Whites.  
These Ligaments are easier fortified, and the Trouble Cured after Delivery, when eased of that Weight, and Pessaries got kept therein, to stay it up in its natural Seat. Her best in the time is to keep Bed, or must stir little, and softly: Keep slacken in her clothes, and may bear up the weight of her Burden in a fit Swath: Must avoid Coition, all Compressions and Shakes of her big Belly: Or whatever may occasion violent Expulsion. And in the case of abounding Humors, use a drying diet, good Food of Meats roasted rather than boiled. And above all, she must be so skilfully laid, as neither her forcing downward to exclude the Child, nor Extraction thereof, or of the After-Birth, procure its precipitation, which easily may, and oft does in this Case.   

CHAP. XXI. Of the Dropsy of the Womb and Oedematous Swelling of the Lips of the Privities.  
SOme Women go all the time with their Belly distended, and full of waters only, gradually collected, and enclosed into the Womb. which in end they have plentifully voided, in place of a Child they expected. And this is made the Dropsy of the Womb, mostly incident in Pituitous, cacochymic, hydropic, and Serous Diseases.  
If these Waters flow into the Capacity of the Womb( as in Some) by fault of the Stomach, Liver or Spleen, the danger is greater, and ruin is thereby threatened to the whole Body. They are then kept in by the Closure of the Inner Orifice, and run off of their own accord, when it begins to open, whereby the Sick sometimes recover.  
If they breed in the Womb( as often) and mostly then after Copulation, through fault of the Seed, or of the Womb, especially when too could, or drowned with a too great Flux, or yet Suppression of Courses, Whites, or other trash it wont to discharge: As also when weakened by manifold Miscarriages, or violent Labour. They are then oft contained within its Membranes, or little Bladders: Yea, Some are big with several little Bladders full thereof: and is then worse to be Cured, making stay in the Womb, as long, and whiles longer than the Child, deceiving all with false Hopes thereof.  
The Distinctive signs of this from a true Conception( for here the Courses stop, and the Belly swell) are Softness, and Extenuation of the Breasts, their want of Milk, the want of Infant stir also( a Fluctuation of Waters only being perceived) the greater Pain and Weight of the Belly( living Things being still lightest) which is also more Soft, equally extended, and depressed in Circumference. The Oedomatous Swelling of the Parts about, the Thighs and Legs. Moisture sometimes of the Privities: a worse Complexion, and continued worse Health.  
As these Waters may be alone in the Womb, so may whiles be in plenty together with the Infant( For tho an Infant cannot be generated in an hydropic Womb, yet this Dropsy may well succeed a true Generation) swelling some hugely: And makes great hazard of Abortion, by corrupting the Child, and defrauding it of Nutriment, a great part of the same resolving thereinto:  
Some voided store of Waters long before Labour, which yet cannot be these enclosed in the Membrane with the Infant, else there behoved to be Pains, and the Infant to come therewith, that being the right Time: beside that they are entire at Labour, break and yield a full Fore-spring. Yet must have been kept in a peculiar Membrane.  
When this Dropsy is alone, sufficient Purgation is ordered to its Cure; and then things Aperient diuretic, Emmenagogick: After the taking of which, strong Exercise, Vomiting, hieroglyphics, Clysters also, Injestions into the Womb, Pessaries, Issues and the rest; to evacuate, and bring away the Humour from the Womb, discuss, or make a Revulsion or Derivation thereof: Yet when an Infant is therewith, the Woman most only use a good diet, moderately Warming and Dry, abstaining Sweet things, and Liquid also, unless they may be easily distributed, for remaining in the Body, they may augment the Evil.  
These Waters in Some disperse upon the Lips of the Privìties, and blows them whiles so wholly up, as they cannot bring their Thighs together, nor walk but with Pain: The Swelling is then Livid, and looks as it were Shining; but hath no danger, if merely Oedematous, almost without Pain and fever: Yet seeing they must straighten the pass, and mar the Infants Egress at Labour, Scarifications are ordered along the place, for Evacuation of the Humour, big or little as one please: to be kept open also, so long as is fit and necessar( preferred therefore to Leeches, where the Orifices soon close) and must have Compresses applied thereto in end, dipped in aromatic and Astringent Wine to Fortify the Parts against Relapse: Using the while an Anti-hydropick diet. If there happen Inflammation also, which hath ever a fever, and be communicated withall from an Inflammation of the Womb, it rarely Cures, but soon kills her after Delivery. Any other Swelling, or tumour, Inflammation, or Abicess may arise upon these Parts, can make no danger, while it comes not from, nor communicates with the Womb.   

CHAP. XXII. Of the Venereal Disease in Pregnant Women.  
IF the Mother be Pocky, so must her fruit, being constitute of polluted Principles, getting also a vile Acrimonious Nutriment, which converting into its Substance breeds these Pustuls, Scabs, biles, Spots, and Ulcers, which the Infants of such bring with them from the Womb, or appears soon after; making the greater Impression and havoc of their soft Bodys as they are Weaker, or the Mothers slain the greater: especially if she have Ulcers, exulcerat chaps or Clefts about the Genitals, which soon impart the Venom to the Child in the Womb.  
This being a Virulent pernicious Malady, with a Train of most dreadful raging Symptoms, making speedy havoc of all( the Malignant Contagion being dispersed through the whole Body) needs a most skilful, speedy and thorough Cure; which Some place in Salivation only, which yet if her time be near, is best forborn till after Delivery: Else the Labour coming on the time of the Cure, might kill her and the Infant. If her Pox beside be Recent, Gentle and with easy Symptoms, this Cure must also be deferred till after Child-bed, using the while Gentle Purges, hieroglyphics, Alexipharmicks, through the constant use of which this Pocky Habit in Some, hath been thoroughly altered, a new Salubrious Habit produced. Yet if this Pox afflict her when young with Child, in the highest Degree, with the worst of Symptoms, be rebellious, and stubborn, this Cure must be plied, if strength admit: Being her safest Course; seeing the Disease, and its pernicious Sympt●ms still augmenting more and more, must in continuance certainly kill her. Beside, that Some suffer more by Remedies for other Acute Diseases in their Pregnancy, yet are safe.  
This Flux or Salivation is raised by Intern Medicaments, Suffumigation, or then Unctions with Unguentum Neopolitanum▪ or other Mercurial ointment: which last is securest in her Case: yet must be of her upper Parts only, as the Palms of her Hands, Wrists, Elbows, Shoulders, alongst the Back-bone also, if it rise slow: And to be managed with all Security, Care and Caution, that the Evacuation be rather by little at a time, and the longer then too copious and sudden: Proceeding in the Quantity, and Reiteration to her Strength, and Facility of the Flux: Sure to be still Masters thereof. So if she be strong, anoint once every Morning for the first two Dayes: Morning and Evening for the third and fourth: Afterwards but once a day, till the Flux appear: If it come easily, once every Morning: If she be weak once every other Day. After the Unctions she is to keep warm in Bed for an Hour or two, and Sweat moderately. She must the while be kept warm: Her Regimen also ought to be strict: Chiefly careful, no looseness or belly Flux arise. The rest as occasion shall direct, and are sufficiently known.   

CHAP. XXIII. Of Abortion.  
SO oft do Women miscarry, and upon such small Occasions, as there are near as many Untimely as Full Births: Especially if every Slip or Parting be reckoned; there being so many even while taken for a praemature Exclusion of an Immature Infant, whether living or dead.  
The Causes are Extern and Intern: in the Mother, and Infant: And she in respect of both Body and Mind. And thus every acute Disease in general, killing the Infant by Infection, or through the Mothers Imbecility. All the particular Accidents above-mentioned, as sore Vomiting, a Violent Cough, great Cholicks, pains in the Rems, Strangury, Gravel: Every great Evacuation, but that from the Womb chiefly, happening through Ruption of the Vessels and Separation of the Burden: Large Phlebotomy also( especially while the Child is bigger) strong sharp Purges, immoderate Watchings( Sleep also) severe long Fastings, want, or badness of Provision: too much Plethory also, through riotous use of fine Meats, Spiceries, rich liquours, Spirits: want of things longed for, which makes present Abortion to Some: every more vehement Agitation, Commotion, Stretch or Contorsion of the Body, Compression, or Concussion of the Womb by violent Exercise, Leaping, Dancing, running, hard Riding, Falls especially upon the Belly or loins, going in waggon or Coach, lifting or carrying of a heavy Burden, vehement Motion of the Arms, in Stretching, Drawing any thing strongly, turning at Wheel, and the like: Loud Crying also, strong Sneezing, profuse Laughter, petulant Venery, especially when near her time: surprising Noises, Faetid Smells, a certain Disposition of the Season, as when a dry nipping Spring succeeds a Rainy Moist Winter: the vehement Heat thereof, and every thing else may commove, precipitate, or kill the Infant, relax, or dissolve the ties, or move the Courses:  
All more vehement Passions, and Commotions of mind have great force( in daily Experience) to Abortion; chiefly Anger, Fear and great terror, sad News of Dear and Near Relations( too much Joy also) which dislocates and shakes off the Infant most quickly from the Womb, because of that rapid, inordinate and valid Commotion of the Spirits and Humours: causing ecstatick Stupers, Convulsions, Epilepsies, deep Swoonings and Abortions in the very Instant, or the same Day, for if she keep till the 3d. or 4th. there is less fear.  
Abortion happens through fault of the Womb( a vicious comformation also of the Belly) being much moistened, and could( too dry also and warm.) slippery and relaxed with abounding Pituit, Whites, or other Filth: Or hath a Dropsy: Whence the Burden is dissolved, the Fruit extinguished: and such are said to miscarry in the middle Months chiefly. When little, straight, dense, callous( large also and smooth) incapable and marred of a sufficient Dilatation( yet Some holds this to mar its Growth, but not to cause its Abortion) that the Infant being straitned of room, must come Abortive; being thus as it were expressed out: Hence Some part at a fixed Time, and chiefly in the last Months: Tho' this may happen also through Compression of the Womb, or while the Belly is pinched with stiff and straight laced Busks: and may come through the Infant also, being too big for the Mother, as in little Women, and very Young, especially if married to bigger Men: or when some Praeternatural Thing grows up therewith. When monstrous also, or when more are together, turn turbulent, and tormenting in an unnatural situation: Whence a strong Expulsion thereof. When the String also is too short.  
Abortion is foreknown, when upon Some or Other of these, the Breasts extenuate and flag, there is little Milk therein, and that thin or depauperate: If her Sides and upper Belly cling, while the Infant is Clewed togcther and tumbles towards the Water-gate, if she finds an unusual Weight upon her loins and Hips, the rest of her Body Lither and Languishing, her Appetite lost, finds Shivering and Shaking by Fits, pain of the Head, chiefly about the roots of the Eyes: But especially if she have Labour Showers, or excruciant Pains, frequent, and almost continual, about the Reins or loins, dispersing towards the Share and as Sacrum, with some endeavour of bringing forth, and a dilatation of the Orifice, it is a certain Sign of future Abortion: And if there follow any considerable losing of pure, or serous Blood, or Water, it is then near and Irremedable: And if Faetid, it signifies a dead Child: and then grievous Symptoms usually come on, as Shiverings, Tremblings, Palpitations of the Heart, Swoonings, copious Bleeding, and others.  
Abortion being contrary to Nature, is more hard and dangerous then the full Birth, especially in the first Child, in Fat Women, these also more Lean, the Labour being far more vehement and long, and Women sorer handled, while the Vessels and ties are then violently split and broken asunder, which in the natural Labour loosen and untie of themselves: And the further she is gone, the more painful, as in the 6th. 7th. and 8th. Months, the Child being more Big: And if the Rendings and Tearings be very great, she is oft turned barren: Beside, if Flooding, Fainting, Raving and Convulsions follow, it is usually Mortal: as also when Inflammation succeeds: And when excited by Violence, because of more grievous Symptoms. If she part in a dangerous Sickness, she readily dies, and the Child also, especially a continual fever, which soon kills her, augmenting, and redoubled more strongly through a total Suppression of the Cleansings, which happens then almost ever. If the Womb be very loose, and moist, the Abortion is then little dangerous, chiefly in the first Months, though such are prove to part always.  
A Woman with Twins can rarely part with the One, and keep the Other, especially in later Months; but both comes ever away, the One some Hours, at least some very few Dayes after the Other: which yet must not be forced before its time, especially if the Flux of Blood be not great, nor Labour pains appear.  
Midwifes ought to examine all Exclusions from the Womb, if Blood, Flesh, a Conception, or Child, and by washing with Water, one easily discerns if there be truly an Abortion or not.  
To preserve from Abortion, let the Pregnant Woman observe her Rules of Government, still careful the more Noble Parts of the Body, these chiefly appointed for making of chill, Blood, and Spirits be most vigilantly preserved in a Lively vigour: Use the Means appointed for her Indispositions: and diligent-avoid whatever may Cause or Occasion Abortion. These beside more Subject hereto, must use the while, things Astringent, and Strengthening, which have a power to firm and preserve the Infant: as prepared coral, Pearl, the more precious Stones or gems, Kermes Grains, mastic, Plantain-Seed, troches of Amber, of Earth of Lemnos, and the rest, taken in the yolk of an Egg, Cla●et Wine, Syrup of Quinces, Myrtles, read coral, dry Roses, and the like: Old Conserv of Roses also, of Sage, Rosemary, Betony, conduit Citron Peel, with many aromatics, and others which may cherish, Corroborat, and warm the Womb and Embryo. Fomentations also are used for keeping the Child, Cataplasms, plasters, and Unctions to the Region of the Womb: annulets beside, as the Eagle ston, the Load-stone, the Cornelian and Azure: coral also, sapphire, Hyaecinth, Emerald, the ston taken from the Womb of a Hart, and the rest. Some greatly praise a Girdle of a Sea Horse hid from its occult Property, or of a Wolfs skin in place thereof. In case also of Fall, Blow, Wound, Stress, or other dismal Contingency, tranquillity of mind is proper, quietness and rest in Bed: with Corroboratives, and Astringents to the Back and Belly, for the Infants Commotion, and imbecility. Bleeding also if there be Pain, or some little losing( for in great Pains, losing and Dislocation of the Child there is no hope) a good diet, somewhat Astringent and Strengthening, and whatever else is Cordial and Anodin, may repair Strength, refresh the Spirits, and retain the Child. But so much for this, and here we end the first Book having thus briefly mentioned the principal and most usual Diseases of Women with Child, and given some easy, pleasant, and safe Remedies and Rules for Cure hereof in their Case: according to which also, the Means and Applications for Cure of their other Maladies not here name, may be safely ordered and managed.    

BOOK II.  
Of Labours Natural, and Unnatural, with the best and most effectual ways and Means of Delivery in either.  

CHAP. I. Of Labour in General.  
EVery Parting is not a Labour: But if the Geniture elapse, having no firm Consistence, without Form and voided, as appears till the 7th day( being nothing but the Seeds Coagulated, and a little Crust grown over) it is called an Effluxion or Sisp: As what is cast henceforth till the quickening, an Expulsion: Hereafter till the 7th Month is the Abortion, which being Immature, Small, Feeble, comes either dead Born, or Dies soon after: And the younger it is, the more rarely preserved: From that forward is the Labour, the Infant having now Perfection and Strength to be Born, and Live: Yet the nearer it's full Time the better.  
This Labour is either Right, and according to Nature; to wit, a comfortable Emission, or Egress( while the Infant Labours as well as the Mother) of a living world like Infant, with all its Pendicles and Pertinents, at just Time, and in due Manner. Or,  
Non-natural, and Wrong; its Exclusion, or Extraction with extreme Pain, Anguish, and Peril of Life to the Mother, the Infant, or both: With Symptoms at least more grievous then usual, and not in due Figure.  
The truly Regular, Common, and Nature's statute Term of right Labour( by just Experience) in every Disposition and Circumstance, is the 9th. Month entire, the Infants Grandeur, Maturity and heat of its Heart, driving it by this time, to spurn hard, and break open its pinched stifling Prison( being closely shut up by the Membranes, the Womb and the Belly) for a freer Air, and Respiration. And all other Terms and Births are either Praeternatural, and untimely: Or Fictitious, and a Cheat in Women: Or then a simplo Error in their Reckoning, while they usually begin from the first stop of their Courses, which yet for some other Cause may have stood 2 or 3 Months before Conception, and continue also to flow duly the 2 or 3 first Months after, but then stop: Whence also the Error of the 5th. or 6th. Months Births, which yet come to the 9th. as manifestly appears, by a due Magnitude, firmness of Strength, and Nails which makes to the compliment of the whole Body. And from the same mistake( or Tricks some may not avow) the 9th. Month Birth is sometimes made the 7th.  
The Infant in a natural Figure of Birth, presents( having tumbled quiter up end down, with its Face towards the Mothers back) right to the Privities upon its Crown( coming into the World with the Head foremost, as carried out with its Feet, Death being contrary to Life) distending the Feet, Thighs, and rest of its Body aloft: And so, with its Soles against the Bottom of the Womb, bushes forward, its Arms couched alongst the Sides: Advancing thus in a strait Line: And is the alone Right, most Safe and Commodious Posture for both Sex: Into which it turns oftimes a Week, 2 or 3 before Labour, Some much sooner: Others a few Hours only before: Some in the Labour( yet some come upon the Feet not turned) and is quickly done, yet not without some trouble to the Mother, who uses to be assured by this Mutation, her Labour is near.  
No marvel then, the fully grown Infant coming thus, get safely into the World: Yea, and( by daily Experience) without great trouble: Beside, that the Genitals now easily admits a vast stretch, and opens in a marvelous manner to the Bigness and Form of the Infant, without Wound, or Laceration; turning almost one equal Cavity, from the Fund of the Womb to the Privities, through which it softly slides( the Bladder and right gut being emptied) the ways being withall well moistened, relaxed and lubrified by a copious Afflux of Slimy Humours soaking thereinto, some while before, and in the time of Labour: By Efflux also of the Fore-springs: So that in case of necessity they can easily admit the whole Hand.  
The bones likewise of the Pelvis, though stuffed and lined all round with Muscles and other Parts, gives the Infant full ease-room in the Womb, an easy Issue also at Labour while it passes therethrough, and without Disjunction or Separation, being therefore set further distant, more excavated, turned also more outward, or arched, peculiarly framing that Circumference more ample and capacious in the least Woman than the largest Man; who hence have Hips more big and large. Yet when there is a big stiff Infant, and these Parts are naturally more straight or misshapen, the Way dry, the Labour then proves Sore and painful, in the Urgency of which, through Violence, and the mighty Force of this Child in wrestling from these Straits, the Bones are made to recede, open somewhat, and disjoin( the Gristles and Ligaments being relaxed) not only these of the Share, but the Bones of the Ilium also, from the Sacrum: And this is made certain by frequent Experience, and clear Demonstration: Hence after such Labours, Women have sore Pains in these Parts, and are unable long after to support themselves( yea some stand never after so firm) by reason of this Commotion, or Divulsion of the Bones( tho without Luxation or Ruption) needing Anodine and Strengthening Applications thereto: Yet old Maid●, and big boned have here the sorest Pull, their Gristles being more dried( tho Some make it the Dryness, Hardness and Callosity of the inner Orifice) chiefly in the first Child( yea whiles in the 2d and 3d also, tho in after Labours they be easy enough) which stick long, and is sore Prest in the Passage, being so hard to open, and rarely ever comes alive. Some Attribute this Diduction of the Bones, to the Mothers most fierce Efforts in a Vehement Influx of Spirits upon the Muscles, the Infants tender Body, not having force sufficient to separate Bodies so firmly conjoined, neither its Head, being so soft, Some very far open, scarce holding together, which so would be crushed, and made Plain. Others will have them part of themselves, as ripe Fruit uses for excluding their Seeds.  
Some will have the Boxes open in every Labour, altho most easy, while yet we see little Women bear most quickly, even fully grown Infants with the greatest ease, and without Pain worth the speaking; and that e●ther in Bed, or where they sate, and Some before a Midwife could come: Yea Some instantly after plying their Business, as if nothing had ailed them: which could not be with such a Divulsion and stretch of the Membranes about: Beside that this Gristly Connection is too firm, to separate so lightly in an easy Labour by a small Infant: nor can it be needful, where the Bones are room, the Way slippery, the Infant little, soft, flexil, and comes right.   

CHAP. II. Of the Signs Antecedent, and Concomitant, of a Natural Labour, and the Non-natural.  
WHen the Midwife is called to a big Woman, taken with Pains in Back or Belly, before she excite her to Labour, she must try the state of the Womb, ponder the following Signs, and be sure these make her effectual Pains, and that she will shortly bring forth, else both Mother and Infant may perish through Labour in vain, and breaking the Membranes too soon: nor is one assured by an opening of the inner Orifice, so as a Finger may easily enter, nor by feeling the Head through the Membranes, nor yet by every Pain in the Belly, unless they answer downward, and the Waters be felt gathering.  
The false Pains are mostly Cholicks( whiles a Gravel) from Wind tossing in the guts, gripping and throwing the Belly by Intervals, with Pains whiles extreme, and exceeding these of Labour; yet without any stir in the Womb, or forcing downward: and readily appease by glisters, the warm Bed, some warm sack, warm applications to the Belly, and the rest, which rather provoke and bring on the true Pains,  
The Antecedent Signs of near Labour, are elapse of the Reckoning, slipping of the Womb( whence her upper Belly turns small, her lower more bulging and weighty) distension also of the Privities, Expaension of the inner Orifice, vent of Moisture, and strings of Slime: Now and then dirling Pains, which yet are presént with some a pretty space before Labour.  
The Signs of present true Labour, are sharp Pains, and throws round the Region of the Womb, stretching from the Loins, down towards the Share and as sacrum, or tumbling into the forepart of the Bottom of the Belly, one upon another, still more frequent, sharp and thorough, with Qualms and Vomitings, which makes the best Labour, and good appearance of a happy delivery, a great furtherance also, by forcing downward: Through which( with her loud bitter cries, containing of her Breath, vehement hard Efforts, and pressing to detrude the Child) her Blood heats and is more fluid, her Veins tumify, her Pulse beats big and swift, her Face rise full and read, the Privities strout out, and all is in a vehement Choke and Estuation. The inner Orifice may be felt spreading open as a ripe Rose, the Waters gathering thereat like a blown Bladder, or Abortive Egg without shell, and are strongly forced down each Pain, still more and more filled and distended, as the Waters grow deeper, the Infant falls lower, and the Pains wax stronger: between which( while the Waters are forming) the state of the Infant may be some wise discerned through the Membranes, and the way it presents. Shows of read often then appear( especially with Boys) while the ties begin to split and the Burden to loose. Some have beside( when all is in a readiness) a shaking chiefly of their Legs and Thighs, from a vehement Influx and Force of the Spirits. At length when the Springs are thus fully gathered, or the Waters pressed down before the Childs Head, by their vehement Impulse, the hard redoubling of sharp thorough Showers, the frequent valid Spurnings of the Child( sharply moving itself every way, while it strives to burst open the Gate with Violence, and make Passage to itself) the Membranes or Bag bursts( yet some break with small Pains, the sharper Showers coming several Hours after) the Waters gush out, and the Head, if it come Natures way, offers Naked at the Orifice to pass, following the Rush of the Waters pointing its Path, lubrifying and preparing the Same. And still the dolorous Mother makes repeated Vigorous Efforts, the grieved Womb also, in a joint Contraction of its Constrictory Fibres, and Muscles of the lower Belly, for a speedy and forcible Ejection, or Banishment( for it shall never enter the place more) of this turbulent, and as were ingrate Guest, with all its Flitting, Aliments, vestments, Excrements, immediately after( yet some come, tho most rarely with the Membranes wrapped about them, sound and entire as in a Lump, but are then feeble and Immature, ejected by Abortion, the way even Twins have come, each within its own membrane and alive, yet if they be not quickly Extricate, they choke. And having thus escaped from its Prison, through Nature's triple Gates, between the two vilest Privies of the whole Body,( lo cause of Pride!) it appears a new Guest upon the World, filling the Place with mournful Lamentations, and not without cause, being born to all kind of Calamities, Misery, Pain, Sorrow, and to Death in the end.  
As this is the Progress of the Natural Labour, and these, or most of them Certify a happy Delivery, so it looks bad, and Unnatural, when the Woman is so very sore handled, as to be Pitied, and Feared by the Eperienced Midwife, and Matrons: When she Travels 2, 3, 4 dayes together, or more( in which the Infant certainly Dies, if not the Mother also) the truly Natural Labour being usually over in one. If the Waters be long while spent, the Way Dry, Pains small, Dull, long between, and Effectless, Dieing towards the Back: when Symptoms are sorer then usual, tho haply they last not long, especially an Untimely Flux of Blood just before, if Faintìngs, Weakness, Swoonings, soporous Diseases, or Convulsions Superveen: if the String or Burden come first: Or( which happens mostly) the Infant in bad Postures, as when one Leg, or Arm presents, the Sides, Belly, Breast and the rest, of which severally hereafter, but now of some particulars needful to be known, for a better assistance, and Aid, in both kinds of Labours.   

CHAP. III. Of the Membranes, and Waters enclosed therein.  
THe Membranes are bread in the Womb first of all, and instantly almost after the Conception, as is seen in the youngest( tho some make them Dilatations, of the Intern Membranes of the Abdomen expansed by little and little about the Infant, after its Parts are formed and enclosing the same) which Nature( beginning to sort the Matter to its Intent) forms forthwith( through the virtue and Warmth of the Womb) of the Viscous and grosser Parts, which it thrusts to the Sides,( of the Womans Seed only say Some) to enclose, Conserve, and cherish the more Noble and Spirituous, which contain the Idaea's of all the Parts, and Members, and of which their first Lineaments, or Threads, are portrayed and shadowed out, and thereafter Curiously falshioned into fair Forms and Figures, growing up jointly together into a perfect Infant, which lies involved, and secured in these Membranes, as in an Egg, or Purse, until Labour, when they first of all present the Orifice.  
Many hold 2 Membranes only about an human Birth, or rather One double, being separable, yet jointly framed, so closely Cohaering and unite, as to appear but one Bag for the Infant and its Waters: and is called the 2din, being the Infants 2d Habitation next the Womb, coming away also by a 2d Birth, tho the other things comes after the Child gets this Name also.  
The First or Outer Part, is called Chorion, as though a little Place, for that it surrounds the Inner with the Infant, as also from that numerous Company, and Complex of Blood Vessels come therein,( at that part especially, where by means of the Burden it adheres to the Womb, some Capillaries only being dispersed through the rest of it) and that both from the Burden, ere the Infant be formed, from the Navel String also, after it grows out of the Infant to a due length, intermixing in this Membrane, whereon also These last are fortified, and restend as on a Pillow in ascending to the Burden; to which this Membrane with these Vessels is closely annexed, and by it to the Fund of the Womb: As to its Sides by small tendinous Nervy Fibres.  
It is pretty thick, and double: Smooth toward the Infant, to the Womb ward somewhat inequal and Rough.  
The 2d or Inner is called Amnios, for its delicacy and finness: It immediately, very easily, and loosely enwraps the whole Infant: Called also its Shift and rest, exceeding thin( yet some make it double) smooth, white and transparent: having a few very small Vessels from the Umbilicals, some from the Burden also, dispersed within its Foldings, receiving thereby into itself, whatever passes not through These into the Chorion and Burden. It softly plyes to the Chorion, Covers and Lines its Inner or Concave Part, being somewhat of an oval Figure; and is closely Connexed to it about the Burden, in the place where the String goes forth thereinto: And Some will have it cleave thereto almost every where.  
Some part of this Amnios happens whiles to rub off in Labour, and comes sticking upon the Infants head. Some make it a Eilm essentially different from either Membrane, being thinner then the Amnios if possible, and only fitted round its Head, as a Helmet. Midwifes call it the Silly How, in Females a cawl, Coyff, or Biggin, in Males a Head-Piece: And this Some will have Superstitiously kept to divers Uses( yet Others instantly destroy it) and makes a presage of good Luck( or yet bad, for the Diversity of its Colour) to the Infant, and others who use it; assuring his Future Happiness, if he eats it, or Carries it with him all his Life in a Box( for he must not see it) else to prove Unhappy, or even epileptic, and continually Haunted with Ghosts, Infernal Spirits, or other frightful Spectres: but these are only Old Wifes Frivolous Clatters, or Crafty Fictions some Midwifes uses to amuse silly Credulous People: for some Hooded have been seen as Unluckly as the Bare, and whiles the latter more Lucky then they.  
Some think they come in a Good Labour, and Rousing Pains; the Genitals being then well Widened by the Force of Nature, that the Infant is born very easily, while passing with great Labour and Stress, they are Rubed off, and remain in the Womb, till they come with the after-Birth . Others on the Contrair, in the Weakness of Mother and Infant. And Some from the Toughness of the Membranes, which the Infant is not able to break, Or yet its own imbecility: Whence Such rarely comes any Length. Which yet chances to stick to the Strong, as well as the Weak, to Males as Females, to the one of Twins, not the other.  
Some will have Twins wrapped in one common Chorion mostly, but each to have its own Amnios and liquour therein distinct: And if These chance to be Split by Blow, Fall, or otherwise; or have not been well enough separated at first, that the Infants come to touch other, there they grow together, and makes a Monster: And if at any time they be in distant Chorions likewise, the one is held to be added by Superfetation in an after Coìtion.  
There is added a 3d Membrane called Allantois, placed betwixt the Two former, which Some make of the same Figure and Extent in their whole Circumference, investing the whole Infant: Others in Form of a Sack, Pudding, or gut, according to its Name: in many a broad Sausage, or Girdle, which collects and holds the Infants Urin until its Birth, emptying thereinto by little and little from the Bladder through the Ourack Continuous to it, after all its Parts are formed, and the String past through the Membranes: Whence this Membrane fills, and Swells by degrees with the Urin, which daily increases as the Infant grows, still gathering thus more and more: So that at length a great Quantity may be found therein about the time of Labour, which so Copiously Gush out at the breaking of the Bag.  
Others reject This in a Woman, and makes the Infants Urin to voided from the Ourack at liberty, between the two Membranes, under the Chorion, round without the whole Aminos: Yet Some think that impossible because of their close Connexion, and will have it rendered by the Yard into the Amnios if Painful, but a great part also retained in the Bladder: Whence new born Infants Piss almost continually the first Dayes: and Some will have it all Collected and Retained therein till Labour: Hence in what ever Month an Infant of any Bigness be opened, it is sound full, and distent with Urin; which yet behoved at length to Burst: And These either hold no Ourack, or make it impervious, and no humour at all to be found without the Amnios. And Some yet will have its Urin transmitt●d into the Mothers Veins, by continuation of the Navel Vessels with these of the Womb, and thus excerned.  
There is debate about the liquour of the Amnios, or the Waters within the Bag( which Some make all of one Nature, and enclosed in the same Membrane with the Infant, into which it is situated, and Swims. Others of a different Nature, and in separate Membranes. And Some also of different Natures, Aliments and Excrements in the same Membrane) if it be the Infants Urin, its Sweat, or the Fumy Vapours Continually transpire it soft and Porous Body: Or then expelled from the Heart into the Lungs, flowing out by the Mouth and Nostrils, and there converted into Water about the Infant: Or if its spittle, foam, an Excrement from the Brain, or other Excrement whatsomever: Or if componed of all together, adding its more Liquid Excrements, which may also augment this humour: Or if there be no sort of Excrement, but a benign Nutritious juice, or humour; the most Pure indeed, that within the Amnios, but the Grosser, and less nourishing without in the Chorion, tho chiefly necessar also, and subservient to the Infants Nourishment and Security: Or rather as Others, the Urin without contained in the Allantois, and the nourishing matter lodged alone in the Amnios, and thus kept free from Defilement of the Urin, and the tender Skined Infant from the Scalding thereof, as behoved if voided from the Yard.  
This Alimentary liquour, they make no other thing in the Infants first Formation, then the residue of the Seminal Matter, which remains about it, doth Cherish, Nourish, and give it growth: But after( that being once Consumed, and the String entered the Burden) a Milky juice, or purer chill( tho Some make it a Richer, and more Noble juice, next and more Analogous to the Original, drawing its Matter as well from Nerves, as from Veins and Arteries, a finely sublimed Spirituous liquour: And so the Infant to feed upon the same it is made of) Coming from the Mother to the Womb, through some Intern Chyliferous Vessels reached thither( from the Chyliferous Channel of the Thorax say Some, from the Sack or Receptacle of chill say Others, and Some her Sweet Bread) and after received into, and carried down through the Milky Vessels of the String, into the Capacity of the Amnios.  
Some will have it brought thither by the Arteries with the Blood, and separated Pure into the Amnios. And Some will have this liquour flow forth from the Breasts, and carried through Veins to the Womb, and the Infant to be nourished therein with Milk, as well as at the Breasts. Some yet will have this milky liquour of the Amnios, into which the Infant swims, to be the more waterish Part of the Womans Seed, flowing continually into the Womb, even after the Infant is conceived therein. But these and the like, being obscure and uncertain Conjectures, and of less Use to the chief Purpose, may be thus lightly past in naming.  
This liquour accordingly, is made of Use to the Infants nurture, Its Respiration also, To conserve the Cavities, softly carry up its Body( swimming there as in a Bath) in all the violent Motions, and Concussions of the Mother, that it dash not dry against the Womb, nor the hard Parts about: To preserve the Thread small Navel Vessels also from peril of rapture: And serves notably at Labour, to relax and mollify the Parts, for its easier pass, the scarcity of which makes it so perplexed, and unhappy, as sometimes the Mother is carried off herein, For all can be done to supply the want thereof.   

CHAP. IV. Of the Burden and Navel-String,  
THe Burden, is a sort of fleshy Bowel, or Parenchymatous Mass, not unlike that of Lìver, or Spleen; contexed of innumerable Fibres, and thread small Branches of Vessels, affused congealed Blood or Flesh.  
This Blood, is not the impurer Part of the Courses, as was held of old( the purer passing into the Infants nourishment) but Vital Spirituous Blood, coming first more plentifully from the Mother( who affords the greatest part of its Matter) through the Womb Vessels, driven thither also from the Infants Heart, through the Umbilical Arteries, after the String joins it; and therewith a kind of spirituous Nectar, or vital Spirit, which as it augments, nourishes, and vivifies all the Parts of the Infant itself, and puts them about their Actions, so also its Memb●anes, and this Burden likewise.  
It is notably conspicuous about the 12th. or 13th. Week, the 3d. Month being end●d, or after comformation of the Parts: Though its ●… irst Delineaments and threads, or Form here●… f( generated together with the Membranes, ●… f the courser Seed, of the Womans say Some, a ●… ttle Fermented in a peculiar manner, by Ad●… ixtion of the Mans) appears like a Wooly ●… ubstance upon the outside of the Chorion, a●… out the 8th. or 9th. Week: Upon which in ●… ort Time, a read, fleshy, soft Substance grows ●… y little and little, but inequally, and in little ●… nobs, whereby it presently sticks to the ●… omb, and the Embryo also by it, and is ●… ept more firmly from falling out, which ●… efore was wholly free, adhering no where 〈◇〉 the Membrane.  
The Figure of the whole Burden is usual●… round, with an uneven Circuit( yet found ●… xtraordinar and monstrous) is convex ●… wards the Womb, and towards the Chorion, 〈◇〉 Infant concave: Its Surface is wholly ●… ooth, most like a Leaf of Navel-wort, a 〈◇〉 Trencher or table Saucer; receiving the ●… avel-String where it joins the Chorion: And 〈◇〉 thickest there, yet still thinner all round ●… wards its Borders.  
To the Womb ward it is rough and in●… val, through many Knobs, whereby it ad●… res to it immediately, especially to its inner Spungiosity, or the little Protuberancies, arise●… in it here and there the time of Pregnancy And through the mutual Accumbency an●… adhesion of These, the Womb transfuses fro●… its open Pores and Vessels, into the ope●… Pores and Parts of the Burden, the Alime●…tary juice, Blood, or what ever else is the I●…fants nurture, which also continues to flo●… several Dayes after it is brought away at L●…bour. This Side hath great Chinks in i●… which being cut, shows an infinite Numb●… of Fibres of Veins.  
The Place of adhesion, is almost ever t●… Upper, and Fore-part of the Bottom of t●… Womb: Yet Some sticks to the right Side, So●… to the Left, and Some also Behind, accordin●… as the Conception tumbling loose to this, 〈◇〉 its other Corner fixes.  
After it joins to the Womb, and begins 〈◇〉 increase, it sticks toughly the First Month as unripe Fruit to the three; and so in t●… younger Abortions is ill to separate: Y●… thenceforth, the bigger the Infant grow, t●… riper and nearer its Birth, the easier it par●… from the Womb, and in end like ripe Fr●… drops from its Surface, together almost wi●… the Infant; and happy Labour where thus comes, for to Some it sticks till forced awa●… yea whiles with much trouble, pain and ●… eril.  
Its Magnitude and Thickness varies for the ●… ondition of Bodies, the bigness of the In●… nt, and the Periods of Pregnancy: For in Abortions of 30 or 40 dayes, it scarce ap●… ears about the Roots of the String, which ●… ardly then comes its length: Yet daily ●… fter, it so gradually accresses and amplifies the Spirituous Blood being more copiously ●… ffluent) that in end when at its utmost per●… ection, it is about a Foot, a Span, or quarter Ell broad, 2 or 3 Inches thick in the middle yet Some are both larger, and thicker) thinner ●… ll over, towards its Borders.  
It is mostly One in Number, even to Twins or More( yea when of different Sex, ●… hough some make These have Each its own) or is so contiguous to Other, as to appear ●… ut One: As many Strings being fixed in divers Places thereof, as there are Infants( tho' whiles each Twin hath its separate Burden) dispersing throughout its Substance, innumerable Roots of Veins, and Arteries, with a marvelous Texture, and Net like Frame, which yet are held entirely separated Each from Other, both Veins and Arteries, in such sort, as the Vessels which serve to the Nourishment of one Infant, hath no Communicatio●… by Anastomosis, or otherwise, with these pertains to the Rest: Whence One of them may be some space dead in the Womb, withou●… hurting the Others; being thus lodged and nourished apart, and so living independent It receives small Vessels also from the Womb but are dispersed upon that side only next it.  
Its true Colour, is a darkish read, some brighter then the Spleen, rarely Paleish. It Substance is soft, lax, brittle, full of juice spongy, but wholly Fibrous.  
It is easily spoiled in Colour and Substance for Womens various Indispositions, ill Habits and the Humors fall upon it: Whence it i●… found softened, flaccid, hard also, schirrous glandulous: Some quiter corrupt, stinking vilely: Some chattered in many Parts: Ye●… Some parched and dry, quiter destitute of it●… Humidity and Blood: whence no marve●… that oftimes it be not brought away entire, and produce also such sad Symptoms.  
It serves for a Stay to the Navel Vessels( to the big Womb also) dispersed therein, unde●… which it lies as a Pillow, called hence by some the Sweat-bread of the Womb: To concoct likewise, elaborate, prepare and perfit in a Special Manner( by Fermentation or otherwise the Blood and Galaxy received therein, and to separate the more pure and spirituous Parts to the Infants nourishment; called therefore( as for its like Colour and Substance) the Womb Liver: and for its Figure, the Womb Cake, the 2din also, or After-birth, as coming forth with the Membranes in the 2d. place, or after the Birth: Some call it the Delivery, as completing the same; giving whiles more work to its Extraction, then the Birth itself.  
To the Burden joins the Navel string, a Membranous round hollow dust, like a little Tryp or Rope, comprehending One Vein, 2 Arteries, and the Ourack( though Some will not have this come without the Navel) the Milky Vessels say Some, through which the Milky liquour is conveyed, wrapped up in one common Cover( which also separates each apart by its Duplications, that they may not be entangled, nor broken) in which they go on, whiles well twisted together, and whiles it is orderly twisted therewith in Form of a Rope: Sometimes also it is wreathed alone, these Vessels ascending strait at others sides through its Cavity to the Burden: Which Some will have to continue and be unit to the Vessels of the Womb, and Some make them arise therefrom.  
The Vein, much bigger then the Arteries, dispersing an infinity of Branches in the Burden,( sometimes as soon as ever it enters it, sometimes not till it come to the middle thereof) is thus conducted alongst in the String, through the Infants Navel, unto its Liver which it passes entire( though Some will have a lateral Branch go off into it, with some part of the Blood, for a speedier Increment, and better Disposition for its future Office) and is terminated into the Vena Cava, near the right Ear of the Heart; carrying the Blood to the Infants Bowels( though Some will have the Blood run from the Infant to the Burden, through this Vein, for that it grows first out of the Infant, and reaches thereto) strait through its Liver as is said, without any notable Alteration therein( which yet was formerly held to be infused into it, and there further elaborated to the highest perfection of Blood) into the Vena Cava, where it mixes with the Venous Blood, with the chill also say Some, made of the liquour of the Amnios it swallows by the Mouth, falling in from the Subclavian Vein: That whole Mixture going on thenceforth by degrees to the Heart, where it receives a new perfection of Blood, being therein conveniently dilated, rarefied, and rendered thus more subtle and Spirituous, a finer and fitter Nourishment for the Infant; and is distributed through its whole Body, with the Aorta, or great Artery.  
The two Arteries, arise from the Intern iliac Branches of that great Artery( and oft from the extremity of it) up by the sides of the Bladder, and joining the Vein, enters the String, advancing therewith( in the Manner above-mentioned) through the Pores of the Membranes, up to the Burden, where they quiter vanish with their little Branches, which are so plaited, and conjoined with the Branches of the Vein, as they cannot be easily distinguished from other: Carrying back the Infant's vital Blood residuous to its nourishment, driven on by its Hearts Pulsion, Or the Nutriment, which was carried in too plentifully to it by the Vein, Or the cruder Parts only; Where meeting with the Mothers Blood, separated into the Burden from the Arteries of the Womb( whether by mere Percolation, or some Fermentation also) ●eturns therewith again to the Infant,( after preparation in the Burden, and Nutrition hereof) through the Navel Vein( where we see the Vein perform the Office of Arteries, as they of Veins) still journeying thus, to and fro the Infant and Burden, without the least Interruption: Whence the Circulation is performed, by this Pass and Repass of the Blood, and the Infant nourished by the Navel, and with Blood alone: Which yet others will have nourished with the sole liquour of the Amnios always, and by simplo Apposition only while imperfect, Yet by the Mouth when perfect: Tho Some admit its Mouth alone ever. And Some also will have it nourished with Blood, by the Navel when small, yet with the milky liquour also, and by the Mouth when bigger( there being chill found in its Stomach, and grosser Excrements in its greater guts, chiefly the Right from the public Coction of the Stomach) being of more confirmed Bowels, and needing a more plentiful Nourishment, the Burden also being brought to a greater perfection, and the Lactteals produced the length of the Amnios, the milky humour flowing more copiously thereinto; And so be nourished both by the Navel and Mouth, and to enjoy a double Aliment, of which mixed in the Heart a perfect Blood is made. And they also will have it get Growth and Nourishment at first, and before the sufficient Perfection of These, while its parts are yet very small and imperfect, by the Remains of the seminal Matter while it lasts, and first by simplo Apposition only, and after with some Part of it swallowed by the Mouth.  
Others make its Nourishment to be, First by Apposition of an albugineous liquour, Ouzing from the Vessels of the Womb, imbibed by the Chorion, filtrated through the Amnios into its Cavity: And Next, by the Same conveyed as the Blood, through the Burden and Navel Vein: Swallowing also by the Mouth, the more gross and terren Part of that Same( the finer being converted into its Blood) which could not be changed into Blood by one, or likely more Circulations, flowing out by the Infants Arteries, and discharged into the Amnios by little Branches thereof, dispersed therethrough, as they go to the Burden: And They make the Infant to be nourished these Three ways, by one and the same liquour.  
Some will have the Navel nourishment to cease, while the Infant begins to take by the Mouth: Others continue it still, for a more full and ready Provision, an easier Sanguification of the chill, a better Ventilation, or Refreshment to the Infant by the long Circuit of the Navel-Vessels, holding it to breath thereby. Though Some will have it breath by the Mouth, the Air penetrating unto these Places: Hence Examples and Histories of its being heard Cry in the Womb, which Others will not have to be by the outward Air, because it can have no Access, but by that admixt with the liquour, arising from its Fermentation, and attracted with the Aliments: Or by an Airy Substance, or Nitro-aereous Particles the nourishing juices comes filled with. And Some again will not have it breath the Air, seeing there is no such plenty about it, but the Water it swims in, like as the Fishes; And the Water to make that here, what the Air does afterwards, a Motion to wit, Of In, and Exspiration. And Some will have Transpiration alone, and Ventilation of the Mothers Blood to suffice, without any Respiration in the Womb. And here Judges take Evidence from Physicians, if an Infant hath been dead-born, or murdered after: or if it hath once breathed, and so is the Right Heir, in that the Lungs being cut out, or a part, and cast among Water, they instantly go to the bottom as Mettal, it is held to have died in the Womb, and never breathed: But if they swim above to have lived, Though it is fit all the parts of the Lungs be thus tried.  
The String hath several Knots in it, held to be a more fleshy, and gross Part of the Cover, and a wider Gap, whereinto the Blood being sucked, stops from rushing in too great Plenty and Spait, to overwhelm the tender Infant( which yet losses much of its Impetuous Force and Agitation, after it comes from the Mothers Vessels, in its distribution throughout the Burden, and yet more in passing that most long, and broad Channel of the String, as from its Distribution through the Liver) whence it fills these Places, and renders them Varicous more or less, for their Repletion of bright warm Blood, Others make them little Glands or Paps, through which the Milky liquour flowing, distills into the Amnios, appearing as it were Bladders full of whitesh Juice.  
From the plenty of these Knots, Superstitious Midwifes use to foretell( and an old Tale it is) the Number of future Off-spring, and if there happen very few( a String without them is rare) such be sure shall never bear more: While yet there have been no fewer with the last, then with the First: And Some have had not One in the First, who next Year have had Twins. From their Distance also, they divine the Time between Births: And where the One sits close by the Other, Twins. From the Variety also of their Colour●, the difference of Sex, as the read a Male, the White a Female. And many things else they dotingly Clatter about the Infants Felicity or Mi●fortune.  
It is of a Conspicuous, but different Length and Bigness, yet is usually in a ripe Infant 3 Spans long, an large half Ell, or 3 Quarters; for preparation of the Blood, the Infants Skope in the Womb while it tumbles and sprawls about, its more Commodious Egress without breaking it, or losing the Burden: An easier Eduction hereof: for a greater Refreshment to the Embryo, as they who make it breath, drawing the Air by the Navel: And is the Thickness also of a Finger, for a due Capacity, and Strength to support the Vessels.  
It is variously Rolled, or twisted about as it goes to the Burden, that its Length might not be troublesone: From the Navel it goes over the B●east, from whence it is obliquely carried over the right and left Sides of the Throat and Neck, turning itself back at the Hinder-Head, and so over the middle of the Fore-Head to the Burden. Sometimes also it encompasses the Neck like a Chain: And some goes over the Breast, towards the hinder Parts and Back, and comes not to the Neck: Some also are found to go over the Breast and Head, and then winded about the one Foot.  
It is sometimes so long as to be carried out before the Infant, and is mostly then its Death: Whiles it is hanked about the Neck, and ofter then Once( yea now and then about its Thighs or Feet, and Such also give Doteing Women an occasion of Vain Prediction) whence the Delivery may be protracted, while the Infant is thus Hecked up in it, and cannot descend to the Orifice, nor be pushed out by the Pains: And is ready to be Strangled withal, if rashly pulled by the Mid-wife. If its Face be read when born, it is good: If Wan, it is Deadly. In this Case also the String may break, or the Burden loose and separate, and a violent Flooding ensue. If it Hank about the Infants Neck in the Womb, it warms and Stifles, whether through want of Air, and stop of the Circulation, or Obstruction of the Gullet, that no Aliment gets down, nor can it freely move itself.  
It hath been found with a real Knot thereon having formed by its great Length a circled floating in the Waters, through which the Infants whole Body hath past.  
After the Infant is Born, it is tied and cut off, what is left must be dressed, as shall be directed afterwards, till it dry, or Corrupt, and fall away of its self( the longer or shorter While it is in falling, the longer or shorter Lived, Women prophesy the Children to be) and the Navel be formed, and solidated with a firm Skin. Thereafter the foresaid Vessels within the Infants Belly, turn into solid Ligaments, tying the Parts from which they proceed unto the Navel.   

CHAP. V. Of the various Situations of the Infant in the Womb.  
THis Diversity, is partly from its Self, partly from the different Periods of Pregnancy, and the approaching Labour.  
Infants of both Sex, are usually Situated in the middle of the Womb, it being but one single Cavity, distinguished alongst into a right or left Part, or Side, with a middle Line only, as it were a little out Seam( most rarely divided with a middle Partition) without any Cells, as in most viviparous Bruits, and which Some fancy in the Wombs of Women also, who bear Twins or More; tho the sole Burden to many Infants evince the contrair: Their several Bags serving for a divided Womb, or its Cells. But further.  
The ordinar Posture of the Embryo, or little Infant, for some Months( which yet varies in dívers) is with its Head contained in the higher part of the Womb, its Arms and Legs contracted, its Knees close to the Guardies, and drawn up to the Belly: To These also its Head so far inclines, as the Nose may rest between them, with the Chin to its Breast: The Hands in Some are at the Knees, in Others placed upon the Breast, Others have them folded; for in these is found some diversity: whiles also the One is lifted up to the Ear, or Temple, the Other to the Cheek. Its Legs ply back, its Feet are turned about inwards, in Some crossed; so that mostly the Buttocks may touch the Soles, more rarely the Heels: Whence some new born Infants have their Legs bent as Bows, their Feet wryed inward; which yet is easily mended after by right Tying or Swath. Its Back-bone is to the Mothers, and thus moderately bowed inwards, its Face is towards her Belly( tho Some place Females contrariwise, and hence will have their Corps to flot it the Waters prove, the Males upwards) thus Crouching, and gathered into a roundish Figure, or Glob-like Situation, with its Members in a manner exactly folded, which it explicates after by little and little, as it grows in Age and Bigness Sometimes also the Infant tumbles to the Sides, and gets as it were a across Posture, which is discerned with the Womans hand, and by a Protuberancy, and Weight upon that Part.  
Afterwards, from the bigness and weight of its Head( which exceeds in Proportion to the Body) a natural Propensity and Instinct, it is carried and turned quiter over( its Hands being shut) falling much lower, with its Head towards the the Inner Orifice, and F●ce towards the Mothers right gut: Preparing itself for a more ready and easier Passage into the World, against due Time( tho Some will have Females with the Face upwards, which if so, should be much bruised, and the Nose flatted over the Bones, the Chin also stopped thereby: Neither thus could the Head be so effectually pushed on to the Passage as when the Matrix and Muscles of the belie Contracts with Joint Force in the Showers upon the Infants Back, which by this Situation resists thereto) And is the alone right, and natural Way of Birth( as is said) absolutely necessar to a happy Delivery, both of one single Child, as also of Twins or More, tho They usually so incommode each other, and are so entangled, that the One comes almost ever in Some wrong Posture, and sometimes Both, causing thereby an unhappy Labour.  
This Turning begins from the 7th Month( tho Few turn so soon, and by great Accident if before) oftest in the 8th, Many a Week 2, or 3 before Labour, Some in the Time thereof: Yet Some come unturned: Some also turn wrong.  
Nigh to Labour, it changes its Posture divers ways, while sprauling and swinging here and there it seeks out; bowing and bending its Arms and Legs more or less, carrying them to this, or the other Side, as it is diversly excited: Hence such difference in this Matter, among Writers who haply have seen such Infants in Women dieing at such a Time; Some telling they have found the Arms, Others the Legs, in this, or that Place of the Womb, in divers or contrair Postures.  
Some make Twins have a contrair Situation, and to sit always Back to Back, the One looking to the Mothers Fore, the Other to her Back-Part, which is altogether uncertain, Witness Twins born with the Belly Breast or Faces together.   

CHAP. VI. What the Woman is to do, when her Time draws near.  
SHe ought then( to scape Ship-wrake, so near the Harbour) be very curious of her Stir and Exercise( Such chiefly as are Crazy, or carry the more big and weighty Burden) industrously shunning all more Vehement and sudden Agitations of Body, hard and inequal Motions, steep up or down, all Laborious toilsome Exercise, Viol nt Stretch, rash Stumble, Fall, high Breathing and the like, which may soon make the Womb bear down, such an appending big weight, loose the 2din, so Ripe and ready to fall away, raise a Flooding which must quickly carry Her off, as hath happened to Some upon a very light Occasion: may also cause the Infant turn, or come wrong, or before its Time.  
She must keep in full calm and tranquillity within, free of all Passion or Perturbation of Mind, chiefly Anger, sudden Fright, or Grief, which hath brought Labour( yea Death) upon Some in the very Instant. She must also go in slacken easy Dress, and beware of all Tempests or Intemperancy of the Air, use a moderat diet, of good Juice and Temperature, good easy Coction, more Humid also and moderately Laxant, as spinach, lettuce, Beets, Coleworts and the like, against her Constipation; for which She may use stewed Pruns with a little Senny, Cream of Tartar, Syrup of Roses Solutive, Manna, Cassia, Whey and the rest.  
oil of Almonds new drawn without Fire, or fine oil Olive, used some while with Syrup of Maiden-hair, or Violets, or with Manna, Softens and Lubrifies the Passes wonderfully, facilitates the Labour( for which toasted Figs are used by Some) and much alleys the Grinding.  
Unctions this while of the lower Belly, and about the Birth, going to, and rising out of Bed, does also mollify, Relax, and smooth the Common Pass, disposes the Same to an easier stretch and full Patency, the Burden also to an easier separation; using oil of lilies, that wherein the Flowers with the yellow Threads are infused, of Linseed, Almonds, fresh Butter, Hogs, Goose, Capons or, Dukes Greas and the like being chiefly necessar in first Labours, as where the Woman is very Young, well Old, Slender, Lean, or yet more Gross, who bear Seldom, and where the Genitals are any wise more Srait, hard, dry: For Whom also are appointed Mollifying and Laxant Fomentations( yea half Baths) of lily Roots, Leaves and Roots of Althaea, meadows, Leaves of Mullein, Violets, Flowers of Chamemel, Melilot, Faenogreek, Linseed, boiled and applied warm with a sponge, or woollen Cloath; or the Fume received through a hole Chair for a quarter of Hour: And were very needful to such, for an easier Labour, and to prevent any Lameness after. She may Bleed at this Time in case of Plethory, or any Peril thereof: Provide it do not much Fright, or commove Her, else in stead of preventing, it may procure an Untimely Birth.  
She must withall bespeak a Prudent Expert Midwife, who( beside Instruction in her Art, full Practise, and good Success) have born many Children( yea in Dayes of old become Barren after, merely through Age) and so hath Experienced in Her self the usual Occurrences of that Condition, it being easy to err in things not tried: Who must also be frequently with Her this while, especially in her first Child, and where She is more modest and Timorous, to advice Her right, and prepare her for the homely Conversation of Labour, and Whom She must call also upon the First stir of Pains, lest being surprised, She peril her Self, or the Child, as Some who are so sudden, or delay to sand till they must bear alone, for all the hast can be made.   

CHAP. VII. What must be done, when the Woman falls in Labour.  
LAbour, or Travail is her Repeated Pains and throws in excluding the Birth: And comes not of the Curse alone, while sinless Bruits smart alike, many Dieing, especially of These who bear more than One at a time: But also from a Vast and Violent Distentìon of the Genitals, the Inner Orifice and sheathe especially, which must widen to the Infants Magnitude and Form: As from the close and ●ainful Compression, the Head makes of These Membranous Nervy Parts, against the Bones in passing: Whence the Labour Pains turn extreme, while the Head advances therein: And are held sorer in Women, than other Animals, because of the greater Bigness of the Infants Head. And Some impute the Pains to the Ruption, and Separation of These numerous little Veins, and tendinous Nervy Fibrils, by which they make the Burden and Womb to be immediately Connected, and all in it supported and hanging thereto, as it were a Vault or Seiling: And the worse These are to break and separate from the Womb, the more it is pinched and torn, the harder is the Labour, the sorer the Symptoms.  
Yet now however, let all Things be ordered, and every Mean used for Her happy Delivery, by an apt Posture, opportune Travail, the prudent Guidance of an Expert Midwife, who must have ready a Stool or Chair, Scizars, sponge, ties, and warm lily oil, or such like thing: And be assisted with other Women skilled in this Mystery: And with a Physician also in case of Difficulty, or need of medicines. But further She must suffer no exceeding Quality of the Air: The too could constricts the whole Body, and the opening Womb: Hence in the Winter, and with a North-wind, are Labours said to be hardest. The Air too hot, enfeebles both Mother and Infant, raises feverish Warmth and Drought. Nor must She be in straight, or uneasy Dress: And seeing the Infant is to pass betwixt the Bladder, and right gut, a Vile perplexed Way, both needs be cleared; the gut of any hard crusty Excrements, which are as Bars therein, and by their Roughness and Inequality straightens the Neck of the Womb, and makes the Infants Passage more hard. And for this a good strong Clyster is to be given( or more if needful) of Emollients and Uterins, which may rouse Her Pains withal, if small and slacken: Or dissipate a colic, very troublsome then to Some: Yet must be injected ere the Child come to the Birth, or be most part into the sheathe, else it can get no access.  
The Urin also must be rendered, and the Bladder emptied, for a roomer Pass, and to save its Ruption, the saddest Affliction to a Woman alive and irremedable, yet easily happens( it being Conjoined to the Neck of the Womb) through the Vehement Force, and hard Spurnings of a strong Child in wrestling out; which hath been so Valid, as not only the Bladder, but even the Womb hath been found split, and its Head hanging out into the Cavity of the Abdomen: And happens the rather while highly distended by her more liberal Drinking and Retention of the Urin: And if diuretics withal have been given to forward the Labour: Yet comes whiles through a Widwifes Rudness about the Share-Bone: Or the Chirurgeon's Introducing his Hand or Instruments.  
She may also now Bleed in case of Plethory, or where the Vessels are too full and Distent, for Depletion, and that the Inner ways may be enlarged, and a fever after Labour prevented  
It is best, She get not much solid Food the while, it disturbs Nature, cumulates Excrements; but a little Alkermes from time to time, a gut oil of cinnamon, or Nutmeg, in some cinnamon Water, Syrup of Lemons, or Pomegranates: A little ponder of cinnamon, of Safron, or Tincture hereof in Broth: A Glass of brisk Wine, Brewed or Burnt: Or Some proper Cordial, which may powerfully Refresh and revive the Spirits, preserve the Strength of both Mother and Infant, upon which the stress of all lies; may rouse withal and provoke the Expulsive Faculty to an easier Expedition: Yet a fresh Egg may be given to the more feeble travellers, a little good Flesh Broth, juice of Mutton, a Tost dipped in Wine, some Candle, or other convenient metalsome Aliment, of good juice and speedy Coction; yet in Moderation, chiefly Wine and Spiceries, for Warmth or fever.  
She must in no wise be Urged to Praemature or untimely Travail, nor preass hard at small light Showers, or with the Dryness, or Closure of the Womb, to exhaust that strength should bear Her out in Labour: Whence Many have Died in it, or soon after. Neither must She be Rudely handled about the Birth, or Share-Bone, in hard pressing, Violent stretching, Pulling, or Renting: Nor may the Bag be broken, unless it break not of itself in due Time, to wit, when highly distended and blown as a Bladder, or the Waters fully gathered and prest far down, and so the Infant wholly in the Passage. Nor yet may living Infants be Extracted by Force or before due Time.  
The Travailing Woman must not despond, nor fret, be Unruly, or toss and tumble rudly or unadvised, to weaken Her, or change the Infants Posture, tho a sottish Ease and Quiet is as hurtful: But take good Heart, keep Calm and Tractible, bear out her Pains with Patience and Courage, in the Hope and fair Appearance of an happy Hour: Resisting them strongly and thorough, as they return and wax sharper: Holding then her Breath, with her Mouth and Nostrils closed, to force more Vehemently downward for Exclusion of the C●ild: And must keep upright if She have strength, or place about the Chamber, lead and upheld with Some at each Side( chiefly short, Gross, misshapen Women, who speeds best if kept on Foot, till their Waters be broken, or at breaking: Tho they endure better, if kept in Bed at the beginning, while their Pains are yet small and lent, and their Springs but gathering) yet may rest little whiles on Bed, yea and nap a little if the Pains bear off, trying whiles the Stool, or Knee, or otherwise, as the Mìdwife orders, who must still be near Her, diligently heeding her Gesturs, Natures tendency, and the right advance of the Travail, as her Showers sharpen and redoubles, her Whines and Moans converts into frequent, loud and bitter cries, with Qualms and Vomitings, and the rest formerly mentioned.  
Let the Midwife this while continue to anoint the Birth within and without, especially if the Passage be straight, dry and wrinkly, through untimely Effusion of the Waters: Feeling whiles the Inner Orifice( tho as seldom and softly as possible, giving such sharp Sense of Pain) the State of the Womb and of the Infant, how all things come right and makes ready: that the Membranes being split, the Waters sprung, and the Infant felt in the threshold of the Womh, strait upon its Head, which feels round, hard and equal, She may forthwith be placed the best Way for its Birth, which must be immediately expede with all Industry, that being the proper Season, and Occasion never to be slipped, and delay dangerous, the Womb being oft as the Heavens with the Lightning, widely open and instantly shut: yet if She feels the Child come wrong, or any thing else strange in the Case, She must sist all forwardness, and quickly call what better Help can be had, lest tugging on thus with the Woman at Labour, still hoping things will turn better, the Infant be constrained so far wrong, as makes much ado to be rid, causes great Pain and Peril to both Mother and Infant, yea oftimes its Death, at least the crushing of some part or other.   

CHAP. VIII. The Manner of expeding a Natural Labour, of one or more Children.  
THe true Waters being broken, the Infant felt bare, and all clear and right in the Labour, She must now have the best Posture for a fair Parting, or an easy and safe Delivery, according to the Midwifes Mind and Use, or the Place and custom: Where Some go to their Knees, a Rude unsafe Way: Others more Robust, and accustomend to Travailing stand upright, resting there Elbows on a Table, or Bed-side, or with their Arms about ones Shoulders, firmly upheld at Back and Sides. Some are on a Quilt before the Fire: Others sit on Womens Laps, and the Husbands Lap in some Places. Most are on a Stool or Chair made for the purpose, covered, fitted and fenced with little Pillows and clothes, that the Travailing Woman may sit conveniently and not be hurt, or the Infant, if it happen to strike any where against it by the Mothers Pains, or Motions: A Company of assistants about, the Midwife sitting before her lower, to conduct the Infant strait down to the Gate, and softly receive it as it comes out, thus prudently to promove, yet patiently wait its Exclusion: making no greater Hast then Goodspeed. Her Bed is held best by Some( in preventing any Hurt to be carried thither, tho more Vexatious to the Midwife) being well fitted to the work, and furnished with all necessaries, and She placed therein on her Back in a middle Figure, between sitting and lying, her Thighs being spread, her Limhs folded, or her Knees bowing to her Thighs, whereby the Womb lifting to the Abdomen may be direct against her Mouth: her Heels also plied towards the Buttocks, which must be raised with a little Pillow for free recess to the Rump-bone, her Feet stayed to some solid thing: with strong Helpers about to stay her in the Showers, and the Midwife before her, who must speak her fair, to act what She can to the Exclusion of her Birth, by most vigorous Effort● as the Shower● return. The Bed however seems best for these more feeble and delicate, or who are sore Harassed in the Labour, for them also subject to large Spending, Fainting, or Swooning.  
A hand may be held lightly uopn the Travailing Womans Belly, to help the Infant keep its ground, and with each Pain set strait down, and keep the right Path, else all Travail is to no purpose: For if its Head fall towards the forepart of the Share-bone, it can never get out till first the Head be raised a little towards the Mothers Back, and so directed upon the true way: As also if it fall any way aside.  
When the Head approaches the Inner Orifice, the Midwife may gently slide up her Fingers therein, and softly stretch them round the Same as the Shower comes, to dilate it for making the way, and an easier entrance to the Head: Anointing also if needful.  
When the Head enters this Orifice, it is said to be crwoned: Being begird round therewith as a circled, and is called the Crown, or Rose: Which the Midwife may softly shift back, piece and piece over the Head, to pass it out into the sheathe.  
As the Head begins to set without the Privities, it is said to be in the Passage, or Bones where Some sticks long, and oft Die, the Pains are then very sharp, and pricking, from the hard Compression against the Bones, the Violent Stretch, yea Sometimes Laceration of these straight Parts, whereby Some are made all one there.  
as soon as the Head comes out to the Ears, the Midwife( placed conveniently to receive it) may grip by both Sides, and pull it quickly forth as a good Pain comes( for She must work nothing but with Nature) yet not strait on, lest the Shoulders stop if large, but shifting from the one Side to the other, for their easier, and more opportune Entrance, which must instantly succeed in the Place of the Head, that the Neck may be free, lest stopping thereat, it be strangled. But as soon as the Head is born, she may hook her Fingers in its Arm-pitts, if so it seem good, and the rest of the Body will be thus easily drawn forth: Careful the mean while, no Part be entangled in the String, as also to turn it after to one Side, lest crying between the Mothers Thighs upon its Back, that Filth which flows down, falling into its Mouth might choke it. And now it remains only to free her of the Burden, which must be done presently after, unless She have more Children to bear, which is known by her Bigness, continuance of Pains( Some Travail whole Days for a 2d) the gathering of new Waters, with a Child presenting therein: And then the Midwife must only cut and ty the first Sring, fastening the other End to the Womans Thigh, proceeding on the same Wise to deliver Her of the Rest. Yet must not stir the Burden till they be all born, having usually but One and the Same in Common.   

CHAP. IX. How to fetch away the After-Burden.  
ITs Extraction must now be dispatched first of all, and together with the Child or straight-way after: Lest the Womb close, and to hast the Woman to her Ease and Rest. For which, the Midwife must wrap the String firmly about a Finger or two of her one Hand, and with her Other above That, take a single hold of it near the Privities, resting the fore-Finger of this Hand alongst upon it towards the Entry, pulling thereby with both Hands, yet not directly, or with too much Force, lest the String break, the Burden or Womb be rent, or the Womb pulled out, a Flooding raised, the Soul and the 2din drawn out together: But very gently travers, hither and thither, drawing still a little more stongly, thus losing the Burden piece and piece, beginning from the Side it cleaves least.  
The Woman also may work to loose and expel it, by fetching and holding her Breath, forcing strongly downward, provoking Vomit( which yet seems to draw the Womb upwards) Sneezing, and the other different Motions and Agitations She used in expelling the Birth; which yet best foreborn where the Patient is Weak, or at least till Medicines by the Mouth preceded. If thus it loose not, the Place it sticks to, may be lightly pressed with a Flat Hand, rubbing easily downward: And when nothing else can do, an Expert Hand must be Introduced, to separate it wholly round, and fetch it sound and entire if possible: However, that no Part, or Skirt thereof be left, nor any Clods of Blood: which needs narrow notice, for sometimes a little Piece separates and stays in the Womb, the knowledge whereof is not so easy: whence many horrible Symptoms ensue, as great Pains, hysterick Suffocations, difficult Breathing, Palpitations of the Heart, Faintings, Swoonings, acute fevers and the rest, from its Corruption, and noisome stuffing Vapours: for which cause, should Women be very careful and certain they voided it, with the other Excretions in their Abortions of the first Moneths, when Midwifes are not by, or even when they be present; while the Infant comes away with some Membranes stuffed with clotts of Blood: And if ought yet remain, it must be industriously expelled, by such Medicines as are for hard Labours, or a dead Child; and the rather if it be Summer, or any danger of Malignity: Yet nothing too Vehement, lest a Flooding be raised which were ill to stop. It may be known that all is not come, while Labour like Pains and Showers continue after the Delivery, tho lighter: sense also of Heat and Pain is felt in the Womb: And a few Dayes after, a Vile Cadaverous Smell exhales from thence.  
Twins, or More have usually but one Burden, and is the same way to be extracted, to wit gently shaking and pulling it, now by the one String, then by the Other, whiles by Both together, Till it loose, separate and follow: Yet must not be stirred as is said till they be All Born.  
With these Dtrections be sure the silliest Midwife, or experienced Nurse-keeper cannot Err to lay a Woman in a Natural Labour, where all goes fair and right: And wrong Labours are of such perplexity, that the best ought not meddle without a Physicians advice, well Skilled and Expert in the Case, where it can be had: Otherwise, Midwifes are forced to do there best alone, and after the Methods follows now to be taught in the rest of this Book.   

CHAP. X. Of the Causes and Cures of bad, and unnatural Labours.  
BAd Labours are either right, which Nature Effects with some help, yet very Laborious, Painful, and Difficult: Or they are wrong, and contrair to Nature, caused by the Childs bad Posture, and is expede solely by Art.  
The Causes of such Labours, are either External, or Internal. These, are the Six Non-Natural things, or somewhat Contingent, as a Fall, Wound, Blow, or the like disabling Nature: the want, or unsskilfulness of asistants, chiefly an ignorant Midwife: to which is added the unfavourable aspect of Stars, chiefly of the Moon, Labours being made more happy in its increase, towards, and at its full: And was prayed to off old for Help.  
The Internal, are from the Mother, the Infant, or Both: from the Things also contained in the Womb with the Infant. From the Mother, chiefly if Crooked, wry, Gibbous, or otherwise misshapen( tho Some make Gibbous Women to bear both bigger Children, more speedily also and easily, then the tall and strait; having more room below, and their Infants lying lower) when badly constitute, Infirm, or lesed in her Lungs, Midrif, or Muscles of the lower Belly( which Parts when sound, Contract strongly, and forewards the Infants Exclusion) whence the Showers are broken, and dies effectless: If She be small, Feeble, Delicate, very Young, too fearful of Pain: well Old, and not used to Bearing: If very emaciat, Lax, thin( too gross also and fat) kept under and spent with much Bearing, or the sore Symptoms off Pregnancy, or any great and acute disease, great Evacuations, penury Watchings or other Stress: whence an insufficient Influx of Spirits, Blood and Heat upon the Fibres of the Womb, and Muscles which furthers the Expulsion. If her Pains withal be slow, senseless and Dull: Or if She have none: if they be also prevented, or exceeded by great Cholicks, from much Wind remaining in the grosser intestines. Great Difficulty proceeds whiles also from the Womb alone, chiefly from its ill Shape, distortion, Obliquity, the Obturation, Callosity, Contraction, straightness of the Inner Orifice, Neck or sheathe; naturally, or after tumour, Abcess, Ulcer, cicatrise, or Excresence therein. Any Compression, from stone in the Bladder, or repletion hereof with Urin: Hard Excrements also, or Wind in the guts: Painful big Piles: Every other Prominence of the Parts about, which may straighten the ways. When its Temperature beside, Functions and Offices are perverted: And( as sometimes) Convulsive Motions, and Hysterick fits arise. The hardness of Labour may be also from the Bones about, while so close and firmly Connexed, as they open very little, or not at all: Or if the Rump recede insufficiently backward: But chiefly when the Share-bone, is too much depressed, the most frequent Cause here, and also incurable.  
This trouble may come also of the Infant, while a Female, so small and feeble by Nature, or Sickness, as it helps nothing( while a robust, and strongly kicking Male, is easily excluded) if badly situate withal, yet worst if Dead.  
It proves also sore, where its whole Body, or the head only is over big for the Mother, and the worse the smaller and straighter She be: Or have Twins, or More of such lying to the Neck of the Womb, and seeking out at once: Or( which is as bad) much entangled together, unfolding and stretching their Members about the Orifice: Or( yet worse and exceeding Sad) be sticking to Other, or to a Mole, or be One with many Members, or any otherwise Monstrous or Deformed; of which and their horrible Variety Authors have writ: But the most usual Difficulty upon the Infants part, is its Preposterous and Unnatural Form of Egress, and that more or less, as it recedes from the right and Natural. Sometimes the Membranes makes the Lahour hard, while being too thin, the Waters full and strong, they break; and the Waters spring too soon, ere the Infant turn down, leaving it dry in the hour of Exclusion: In which case it readily Dies. Or then are so dense and strong, as the Infant can no wise break them: Labour being in vain, while no Vestigies of Water appears. Beside, if the Burden stick too long after the Child: If also the Burden or String come first, or if this hank about its Neck.  
A difficult Labour is very fearful, for oftimes the Infant Dies, the Mother also may Die with it, and Both may expire together: And if it should not be present Death, yet there is danger of Swoonings, acute fevers, Convulsions, that Veins of the Breast, or Matrix be broken, that they fall in Consumptions, spitting of Blood, Cough: yea that all the Bones should be broken, as is observed to happen sometimes: Or that through too much Laceration of the Womb, Women be rendered Barren: Or lest through straightness of the sheathe, or Bigness of the passing Infant, there happen one continued Cleft, or Rent from the Fundament to the Privities, a noisome Latrin for the future: Yea also, that the Womb itself be burst asunder as hath been found, through the great Force, and strong Spurnings of a Valid Infant to be out. Some have the apple of their Eyes dilated, and their Sight hurt: Others Labour with dullness of Hearing, yea Some with Deafness, through that most Vehement Intention, these hard Efforts, and great Influx of Spirits. Sometimes the Peritoneum splits and they get Ruptures.  
The Remedies must chiefly preserve, Refresh and restore the Spirits and Strength of both Mother and Infant, such are the Aliments, and Cordials formerly mentioned for a Woman in Labour: must rouse also and promove the Pains, or irritate the expulsive force of the Womb, as most Antihysterick Medicaments or Preparations, Angelica, Gentian, Birthwort, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Savin, Dìttany of Creet, Troches of Myrrh, oil of Amber, of Carvi, Briony Water, Tincture of Castor, of Safron, Borax also, the volatile Salt Armoniack, yea almost all volatile Salts, chiefly that of the 2din, yea the Powder, or any othet Preparation of it rarely fails: and if haply a 1st, 2d, or 3d, Dose succeeds not, a fuller may yet be given, and a Vein of the ankle opened, and so it will here do wonders: Yea averts the Grinding also in a peculiar manner: Yet foolish Women from some Superstitious Piety, uses mostly to have all cast away, butted or burnt in the Fire. All Preparations almost of the Serpent, are held profitable also in hard Labours: And that which is most famous, the gull with the whole Liver of an Eel, which yet Some have tried with ill Success. The dried Testicles of a Horse are also commended, as is Horses Dung, steeped in Wine, and strained( whence the 2din also is expelled) Hauks Dung also, Date stones and such Others, the most approven, effectual and safe, in Powders, Potions, Mixtures: and first the more Gentle, then the stronger, as the Case requires. In cruel Pains a Plaster of Galbanum may be applied: A Cataplasm also or Unguent of the juices of Savin, Mugwort, Mercury, Leeks, Rue, oils of Wal-flowers, Poppies, Dill, with Galbanum, Myrrh, Dittany of Creet, Assa Faetidae, round Birthwort, some cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, a little Safron, and Wax what serves. Such may use Sternutatories, of Roots of Pellitory, white Hellebor, long Pepper with some Grains of Castor: some oil of Amber may be snuffed up the Nostrils: and in extremity, there may be a Decoction of Chamemel, Marjoram, Rue, Mortherwort, Pennyroyal, Mugwort, Roots of Birthwort, Dittaeny, lilies, Althea, Seeds of Cumin, Carvy, Daucus, Dill, Fennel and the rest applied in a Swines Bladder warm to the Birth. Great prudence however is necessar, engine and Judgement, to a right Exhibition of provoking Medicines, that there be chiefly a full Term, true Pains, an open Orifice, the Child near, upon the right Way, and Posture, and all in a readiness, else they are most Noxious; still also the more mildred and grateful, and as spare as possible: with regard also to any other Disease she may then have, and its contrair Judications, so as the greatest Urgency may chiefly be served. She must beware of all hurtful Passions, which disturbs and dissipates the Spirits: of extreme Sadness especially, sudden Fear of terrible things, preconceived horror of Pain, of a bad Event, Anger, Bashfulness also: Whence Some more delicate, in their first Labour, being nice and averse at the Midwifes hands, and repressing their Sighs, sobs, frequent Exclamations, and some( otherwise) Immodesties usual, yea then very necessar, are thus more Pained, and less happy in their Labour. Who therefore must be kindly Cherished and eased, have present pleasant cheery Company only, and intimate Familiars whom they choose: The Midwife also handling them with all the Sweetness, and Gravity possiible.  
Skilful Asistants does much in the Case, especially an expert dexterous Midwife, she being Mistress and Ruler of all, whose prudent Conduct must shine, in opportunely ordering her Sitting, Standing, Rest, Motion, Meat, Medicines, Postures, Gestures and others, to a comfortable advance and Issue, having ever the timely assistance of an exper Physician, or Chirurgeon: especially finding She cannot remedy these Accidents, and lay her Woman as soon as, or soon after her Waters springs The rest for removing Impediments, facilitating and helping the Labour, are partly mentioned before, and comes partly now to be spoken of after.   

CHAP. XI. The way of manual Operation in unnatural Labours.  
THe true natural Figure of Birth is with the Head foremost, and right upon the Crown, the Shoulders following, the Hands adduced alongst the Sides, the whole Body after in a strait Line: and this is committed to Nature with the Midwifes Concurrence, and is her proper work: but beside this, the Infant offers out several ways wrong, and in general upon any Part, or Place of its Body before, upon any Place also behind, with the Side or across, and directly by the Feet( whiles by the one or both Hands) its hands stretched down upon its Thighs, which is made the next natural Figure: And to one or other of These, may the many particular and different wrong Figures be reduced, as they come nearer thereto: The principal only of which, or the more dangerous and difficult needs be mentioned; for who ever rightly performs These( prestable only by the Hand) cannot err in the Rest: rehearsing first the Operators necessary Qualifications, with the Observations to be made ere he begin.  
He must then be Robust, Vigorous, Active Neat, shapely: having chiefly a small, smooth, strait Hand, yet strong, with long Fingers, without Rings, the nails well paired, and well anointed( for the Body he handles is tender and delicate) of a pleasant Coutenance and humour, Calm, Patient, Grave, Modest, Secret, Pitiful, Tender,( yet forbearing nothing needful) Judicious, Prudent, Serious, advised, and a Man also of Letters( else a Butcher does better) still alike sober and wise: Conscientious also, undertaking only what He has skill of( for one Error in the Operation may ruin all) tendering the life of both Mother and Infant in his Hand, the Poor alike with the Rich: and for his entire Perfection, very Instructed and Expert in the Mysteries of this Operation.  
He must however, wisely perpend the Event: For sometimes the Midmife Tugs on till the last, and keeps the Woman Labouring at extreme hard and violent Efforts, till all Strength be exhausted in both Mother and Infant, Nature quiter broken and Defeat, and desperat Signs palpibly appear, as a Languid, Inequal, Intermittent, but swifter pulls, a ghastly Visage, faint Speech, could Extremities, could Sweats, Faintings, Swoonings, Convulsions, ecstasy, loss of Sense, Forgetfulness, Ravings and the like, And then the Operation would prove Labour in vain, and better foreborn: Yet in case there be any hope, or likelihood of preserving Either, it is better he try a doubtful Operation, then quiter Both to certain ruin ( Nature does wonders in extreme Necessity, and sometimes These given over, as it were revives beyond all Hope and Expectation) yet still with prognostic of eminent Peril at best: and where he is sure of sufficient Strength to bear through, all dispatch must be made, lest it abate or be totally dissipated, winning Her fairly to yield to this, as the alone Mean of Safety, her Circumstances being thoroughly pondered, and without which, the One, or Both must inevitably perish; And which he will also perform, with all Speed, Ease and Safety.  
In order whereunto, She is to be placed in Bed near the Foot or across, for the Operators readier access, with her Limbs foldded upwards, her Thighs spread, her Heels reduced to her Buttocks, which must ever be made a little higher then her Head,( or at least her Body laid equally) when the Infant is to be turned inwards, or thrust back into the Womb, softly compressing the Belly upwards: But yet while it is to be drawn forward, or Pulled forth, her upper Parts must be more elevated, that She may the better bear down, and concur more strongly to its Extraction.  
There must be able Hands about, to raise her up, slide her down, shift and turn her this or that Way he proposes, and to keep Her stable in the Posture serves best his conveniency, the greater Facility and Surety of the Operation; while he partly shifts back the Infant, partly pulls it forward, directly, or obliquely, this or its its other Part to a better Posture, for which it is better, She be thus held at liberty, then tied as Some advice; keeping her Thighs covered the while, for warmth and decency: Proceeding in the different Operations, as shall now be directed, having first recited the principal Signs of a dead Child and the living.   

CHAP. XII. Signs if the Child be Dead or Alive.  
ASSurance hereof is chiefly necessar, whether Instruments be used or not; for beside the misery of killing an Infant therewith in the Womb, or fetching it alive, with Arms or Legs lopped off, a living Infant must ever be more gently treated then the Dead, where the Mothers ease and safety only is sought.  
The Infant dies by praeternatural Caus●s before Labour, or through a hard and tedious Travail, or then a preposterous Figure: And appears also now to be dead, if it hath not been found stir for some Time, even while all roborant and exciting Means have been used; yet had wont to stir frequently before: Though some Infants have been whole Days alive after the Waters are spent, yet not found stir, through contraction of the Womb, and their discomfiture. If the Woman perceives it tumble as a dead Weight upon the Side She turns to: If beside her Genitals feel could, if She hath grievous sense of could in the Womb, or over the whole Body, without other evident Cause: If She hath great Pain and Weight upon the lower Belly and Privities( dead Things being ever most weighty) a continual desire to Urine and Stool, while Nature attempts its Excretion. If moreover, her Pains slacken and give over of a sudden, from Cessation of the Infants motion and spurning. If the Burden or String come before: or if( putting up a hand after the Membranes are broken) the Infant be found could, and of a cadaverous softness, no Pulsation felt of its Hands, nor yet of the String which beats stronger, the nearer especially to its Navel, but feels flagging and could, soft, small, empty: Neither does it stir its Tongue when handled. If further, the Membranes of its Head, when now at the very point of Exclusion, be felt soft and slacken, chiefly towards the Crown, for how long they remain distended it lives: or if the Skull bones be open, waver, or ride much upon other at the Sutures. If again, the outer Skin separate easily from any Part of the Infant that comes forth: If withall, much stinking Filth flow from the Womb, as mostly in 2 or 3 dayes after its Death, if the Waters be spent, which else may preserve it from Corruption some Weeks: Though that faetid Matter may proceed from putrefaction of some Clotts of extravasated Blood only, which may remain in the Womb, with the Infant still alive. In this case also, one Infant may be dead, another living. Several grievous Symptoms uses now to Infest the travailing Woman, which hath the account of such Signs, as Faintings, Swoons, Shiverings, epileptic Convulsions, could Sweats, and the rest; all which, if they continue any Time, carries Her off: And so the Corruption of the Infant, is the Cause of the Mothers death. Some make voiding of the Ordure an undoubted Sign of its death, Though others finds nothing more common in wrong Postures, even where Infants are got alive: Yea Some will have all that come by the Breech to voided it, which yet is not found where the Passage is large,& the Infant small.  
There are yet other Signs much to be feared, especially when many happen together, as a Hurt, or Flooding, and not full Time, long sore Travail, with untimely Effusion of the Waters, and dry ways: Extenuation also, or flagging of the Breasts, a Belly more tumid and hard then usual; an ugly Complexion, languishing Countenance, sunk and troubled Eyes, pale Lips, stinking Breath, headache and the rest: By all which we may gather the Signs of a living Child, being the quiter Contrary: And chiefly if the Woman hath past her Course of Pregnancy, and come at her Labour in usual Health and Safety, and finds it then stirring, she may conclude all Right and hope a happy Parting.   

CHAP. XIII. To fetch the After-Birth when the String is broken.  
THis is held an unnatural Delivery, being with more Pain and Peril then usual, and not expede in the wonted Manner.  
The After-birth is retained, through its fixedness to the Surface of the Womb( sticking whiles most toughly thereto, and not got away but by Violence) while soaked also and swelled with a Spait of Humors, moved in a long painful Labour: Through straightness of the Orifice, tumefaction of the Genitals, their Dryness and Contraction, while it comes not strait way after the Child as it ought, but lies writhed and plied together in the Womb: Through outward could, sudden Fear, Terror, or other could Passions, which have an auster and retentive Faculty: Through the Womans waywardness, who will not follow Counsel: Her want of strength to expel it while now the String breaks, being sore defeat in Labour: The debility likewise of the expulsive Faculty of the Womb: Some scents, whereby the Womb may be drawn upwards, or set a tumbling. The String breaks through its Weakness, Putrefaction, the swing of a big Child, or too hard pulling thereby at a fixed Burden: The Cut end may also recoil into the Womb.  
If the 2din stick, the String being broken, the speediest and surest way of Riddance is by the Hand, well anointed, and immediately introduced into the Womb, while it yet remains open for an easy Admission thereof, which else( in case of its Contraction, as soon happens) must be softly slid up thereinto by little and little, the Fingers being prest together, and the Passage anointed, or otherwise prepared to a better dilatation, the Woman helping hereto, as to Excussion of the 2din, by forcing strongly downward, and the other ways by which She expelled the Child.  
The Hand being thus wholly entered( and foam Part of the Arm also) must be raised, to fetch away the Burden from the upper, and forepart of the Fund of the Womb, where it effectually sticks( for if it be loosed, it fluctuates only in the Capacity of the Womb, and will be found wrapped together in some Corner of it, where it feels like a little bowl) and which may be easily discerned from the Womb, tho then a little contracted and wrinkly, by many little Inequalities, or Roots of the String thereon, if it break off so near: And being then certainly catched( for One must beware to pull at the Womb in place thereof, as Some have miserable done) some Fingers must be put betwixt it and the Womb, to separate it wholly round by little and little, beginning from the Side that sticks least, yet still very gently( for Violence must kill the Woman, and the Womb or Burden may be torn, or both drawn out together, or other horrid Symptoms procured) sound also and entire if possible; Yet leaving rather any Part of it grows to the Womb, then scrap or scratch the same, lest Flooding, Inflammation, Abscess or gangrene ensue. Sometimes, the Operator can enter 2 or 3 Fingers only into the Orifice, and therewith he must grip an Part of the 2din, which presents almost ever thereto( the Womb bearing down to expel it) and so pull softly thereby, but a little obliquely, and from side to side, careful to keep the first hold, till he can reach another Part higher, as He makes it to separate and follow; And so piece and piece, endeavouring in every hold he takes, a Part of the Membranes also be therewith, else it may break in Parcels, being so soft and brittle. If the Woman through weakness, or otherwise, cannot voided it, or if through delay, or negligence the Orifice close, or become too straight, so as no Hand can enter to fetch it, or if it stick so fast as cannot be all got off from the Womb, without hurting of it, and so must putrefy therein, then such Injections are ordered, as may promove its Suppuration, and loosening( which Some will have done most speedily, with the injection of Basilicon diluted) may mollify also and dispose the Orifice to an easier patency: With Detergents admixt, that it may come away as it putrefies: For which strong glisters also are used, yea cathartics if the Woman have strength: The provokeing Medicines likewise, such as for hard Labours, a dead Child, stopped Courses or Cleansings. Some praise the perfume of an Asses hoof: tho the Hand is ever the most ready and sure Way, if it do without Violence: And Drugs inwardly, may make fevers, and by provoking great and voided Efforts, produce Bleeding, Fluxes, Inflammations, Descents and Prolapses of the Womb: Yet Some advice povoking Medicines, even after manual Operation, for security, lest any Part or Parts thereof be left. Let the Woman this while use a good refreshing diet, Cordials, and Others proper to comfort Her, to prevent or mitigate the fever, and other cruel, and divers Kinds of Symptoms, which soon rage through the whole Body upon its retention and Corruption, while putrid sharp Vapours fly up to the Bowels and noble Parts( in which Some will have sweet Perfumes continually used, yet so as they may not pierce the Nostrils) hasting still by all Means to rid Her clean thereof: Tho common Midwifes, and several Writers think little to mingle-mangle the Burden, and leave Parcels, persuading patience only, till what remains may come away of itself: And Some lying, assures all is come with the Child, and so renders Women secure, while a great Part sticks yet in the Body, putting them thus in great peril, through the Mischiefs arises hence; whereby they live miserable a long Time after, and suffers either by Death, or torturing Pains. And grant, that Some have ejected it when consumed with Putrefaction, yea that Some one or other have kept a good Part of it several Months, yet felt little or no hurt thereof, and voided it also without any thing like Corruption, and neither any hurt after: So great oftimes is Nature's Industry in preserving, as its power in healing: Yet best not trust always to this Goodness of Nature, which by a most singular Rarity only, and worthy of all Observation, uses to work such a Miracle.   

CHAP. XIV. Of bringing a Child Footling.  
THis is a hard, yet the best of unnatural Postures( all the rest being most painful) which Some make the 2d natural, for that the Infant may come thus whole and sound, to wit, by both Feet, the Thighs strait after, then the Belly, anon the Breast, at length the Head: Yet Such were called Aggrippa's, as being of a difficult Birth, for whether Males or Females, they come mostly upwards, and passes more hardly, because of the adhesion of the Chin or lower Jaw over the Share Bone, and was also made always an ill Omen, not only as to the Mind, but as to the Body likewise.  
This is placed the first of bad Postures, as being to most of them a Directory, and unto which all the Rest may be reduced more easily by the Hand, and the Children extracted that way; for however wrong an Infant comes from the Shoulders down, it is ever the best Way to turn, and bring it by the Feet, as affording a better Hold for help, and so is more easy and safe to deliver by them, then by the Head, or any other Part: And to turn it from the Feet, into a natural Figure, would prove a hard work, and give such Violence to both Mother and Infant, as they might haply die in the Operation, the Infant at least, might ly long Time after in the Passage, and cause a tedious perilsom Labour, yea never be born by the force or work of Nature, the Pains turning now quiter faint and effectless, both being thus so sore defeat. Yet every wrong Birth formerly, was still to be reduced to the Head, and so made to come Naturally, the Woman grovelling, or tumbling in Bed, till it turn into a better form.  
The Infants wrong Posture appears, by the lingering dull Pains, which disperse not so effectually downward and thorough, as when it comes right: And beside, if the Membranes be handled e're they break, no part of its Body oftimes can be felt, or if any Part be reached, it feels not like the Head: When also the Membranes are broken, after the first rush of the Water is out, the rest dribles away continually, till all be spent, and the Infant left dry, and never advances: and though this may happen, even where the Child comes upon the Head, yet the Labour is ever then long and perilous, while it advances not with effusion of the Waters, whence it passes the Gliber, and the Labour is more easy and quick: A bad Posture may also be suspected, from the Infants vehement Motions before Labour, that it cannot place or keep itself Pron: as from the Mothers impatience, or unruly Motions in the Time thereof, which oftimes turns it wrong, about to come otherwise very right. as soon then as the Waters are broken, and the Infant felt to come upon the Feet, an Hand must be softly introduced into the Womb( having rightly wrought the Orifice to a due Patency; for it may thus be dilated if straight, and without wronging Mother or Infant any thing, yet only to the Breadth, Nature's way, but not at all to the Length, lest the Ligaments be broken) to find Them, and draw it out thereby. And if its one Foot only present, as whiles, the Other plied upwards, or turned some Way off from the Orifice, this must be sought, and fetched to it: For though some Pains may haply set it on if near, yet both must now be brought to advance streight together, as also where they stradle abroad at the Orifice: And the best way to get the absent Foot, ●… s also to find they both join the same Body ●… which One must then be well assured of) ●… s by passing up the Hand, alongst the Leg and Thigh of the Foot presents( to which Some will have a Ribban fastened with a run●… ng Knot, that so it may not be to seek again when the Other is found, and then returned out of the Way into the Womb) to the Twist, thence to the opposite and fellow Limb, straighting it down to the First, and then conduct both out together; gripping after with both Hands above the ankles, and keeping them also joined, He may pull on equally thereby, piece and piece, as the Pain returns: And so still more upwards, by the Legs and Thighs as they are come at, till the Hips be got forth, and then taking good hold under the same, draw it so down to the beginning of the Breast, where the Arms must be taken( which are whiles turned aside, and Some have them raised above the Head, and such may be born thus, if the Orifice be more large) and stretched softly down alongst the Sides, that they may not be broken, and easily disengaged from the Passage, the One after the Other, holding by the Hands about the Fist( though Some thrust up the One above alongst the Neck, lest the Orifice should instantly lock about it, after the grosser trunk of the Body is past, while Nature hastes to union, and so squeeze the Throat▪ and strangle the Infant) careful above all, the Belly and Face be had downward, or towards the Mothers back( else the Head may stop by the Chin, over the Sbare-bone) which may easily be placed so, if while One begins to draw it by the Feet, he inclines them, in turning by little& little, and the Body accordingly, as he advances its Extraction, till the Heels be where its Forefeet was, or look directly to the Mothers Belly: And if it be not altogether so when he hath drawn it to the upper end of the Thighs, or yet higher, He may then direct his flat Hand to the Infants Share-bone, his Other holding its two Feet, and thus turn its Body by the Side it is most disposed to take that Situation, or be with its Breast and Face downward: But be sure the Head and whole Body move and turn the same Way together. Yet Midwifes Works on the way it comes, and brings it with the Face upwards, and hath less peril where the Head keeps strait in the Way, and the Pains are strong: But when it comes towards the Head, let the Woman bear well back, and let her Hips be raised also. The next Care is, that being thus drawn out to the hight of the Shoulders, they may also be made to pass so opportunely, at return of a Shower( the Woman then forcing strongly downward) as the Head may immediately enter their room, and the Neck not be locked in the Passage.  
Sometimes a big Head may stop for all this, after the Body is past: In which Case, the Operator must not pull hard by the Shouders only, to force it out, lest he make a separation: But softly rid it from the Bones, having a Finger or two of his one Hand into its Mouth, his other Hand embracing the hinder Part of its Neck, that the Chin may be first wholly disengadged, and after, wile out the Head by little and little, with the Fingers of each Hand, slid up on each Side thereof opposite, sometimes also above, and sometimes under: making all the dispatch possible: For a small delay must strangle the Child.  
Here also, the Body through Putrefaction, or otherwise, may happen to be pulled away from the Head, which then remains alone in the Womb, and is hard to be got out. Its Extraction is essayed, first with the Hand immediately introduced, pulling by a firm hold of the Jaw, which failng, the Instrument, or Crochet is tried: To the most safe and effectual using hereof, the Operator must have his one Hand within the Womb, to catch and stay the Head, and fix the Instrument right therein, and with his other, softly slip up the Same, alongst the inside of his Hand within, keeping the Point close thereto, that it touch not upon the Womb: And being thus safely raised the length of the Head, he must turn it thereto, and strike it firmly into an Eye or Ear hole, behind, in the Sutures, or where he can best: and then draw it to the Passage, where the Hand within must be retired, yet keeping still some Finger ends upon the Side of the Head, the better to disengage and set it strait out. The Head also may be kept from recoiling, with Hands held on the Belly without, compressing the same from above, and at the Sides: careful above all, that if the Instrument should slip, it neither offend the Womb nor the Neck thereof, nor yet make any hurt in the Extraction. Some drives it to the Passage with a double Cloath put upon the lower Belly, or the Hands flatted above other, that so it may be extracted. And Some will have it more easily and safely extracted, while closely embraced in the middle of a soft Fillet, or linen Slip, of convenient breadth and length, and so drawing by the 2 ends thereof together. Yet if this Head be so big, or the Pass so straight, as it can no Ways be got out whole, they order Pieces thereof to be cut off, or rather some of the Brains to be emptied by Incision, chiefly at the open of the Crown, with a crooked Knife, which Some think best for the purpose, when so short, as may be kept hide in the Hand within the Womb: Tho Others judge it more useful, Commodious and safe, having a long Handle, so as it may thereby be moved, governed and guided with the Hand without the Womb, to any Part the Operator pleases, in his turning, thrusting, drawing, or slanting as is requisite: While directed also in the Operation by the Other within. The Head however must first be extracted ere the Burden be stirred, if it yet cleave to the Womb: For so it defends it from hurt or bruise in the Operation, prevents also a Flooding: But if wholly separated therefrom, it must first be rid out, and so the Head after.   

CHAP. XV. How to do, when the Head thrusts out the Neck of the Womb before it.  
THis happens mostly, where the Womb hath born down before Conception, through the laxness of its Substance, in a Sickly State, from some causes: or through the exceeding Relaxation of its Ligaments: Whence the Neck of the Womb may now be forced out( for the Body cannot) into such a great length and bigness, as to straighten the Pass, and mar the Infants Egress: A total Prolapse also, yea an entire Inversion may now ensue after Labour, if it be not more skilfully expede: And the Woman may soon die through Bleeding, Pain, fever, and the other Accidents which hence arrive. And therefore when ever the sheathe, or Neck of the Womb is found to press forth in great Wrinkles( this Midwifes call the Felt) before the Infants Head, as it advances, the travailing Woman must not walk, nor stand upright, neither use sharp or strong glisters, nor have her Infant drawn by the Head, and the rest taught in a natural Labour( these here do hurt, endanger Descent or Prolapse of the Womb) but be laid equally at least in Bed, and so must force on the Child at each Pain, while the Midwife keeps both Hands about the Birth, to thrust back and bear up, by resisting the Pains as they come, the Womb only, yet make what way She can in the time for the Childs Egress: continuing so to do, till the Woman shall have altogether of her self detruded the Child wholly: Yet if the Infant, having its Head thus born, shall now stop there so long, as to hazard its Suffocation, a 2d person must softly draw it on thereby, while the Midwife thus carefully keeps back the Womb, which else may readily be drawn out with it: Against which also, She must be cautious and easy in extracting the Burden, And after repone and stay up the Womb into its natural Seat, if it bear down.   

CHAP. XVI. How to fetch a Child, when coming right it stops, being too big, or the Way straight.  
SOme big Heads, whose Bones are larger, or yet more perfect, and goes not together nor yields in the Passage, sticks steadfast 4 or 5 whole Dayes in these Straits, and can no ways be got out but by Art: Where the Infant must certainly die, its Head being thus hard pinched therein so long, after the Waters are broken. Yet this is said to happen mostly in little Women( tho in Some larger also of the 1st. Child( and Some the 2d, if not more) especially when well in Years( or yet very young) for Such have ever the most tedious diffi●il and dangerous Labours, and that by reason of a dry straight confirmed Pass, want of good Pains to widen it, a Dead big Child, or yet some other Fault and Impediment in the Genitals.  
The Infant then is extracted with the Instrument or Hook, and fixed in some hinder Part of the Head, to draw it out strait as naturally, if possible: Or rather in the Parietal, or Temple Bone, with another in the opposite Side if necessar, to pull on equally: For the other Place being under the Share-Bone, is near the Bladder, which is sore prest, and oftimes wounded or torn: Whence Some die, or never hold their Water again. Incision also of this Head is ordered, about the Sutures, to empty some of the Brain, and so lessen it: Fixing the Hook after in the Skull, at the same Place: And this extraction of the Infant is allowed, even while alive; seeing it must inevitably die in the Passage however: Yea as soon also as opportunity serves, for saving the Mother, who else must certainly soon die with it, having no other Way of relief and Delivery: Yet only in such Extremity, and after all Means and Endeavours are used, to quicken the Pains, widen the Genitals, remove the Difficulties of Labour, and have it brought with Hands, yet to no purpose.   

CHAP. XVII. The Way of Delivery, when a Child presents the Side of the Head, the Cheek, or Face.  
as soon as ever an Infant is found to offer thus, let the Head be set strait into the Passage, not waiting a better Posture as Midwives usually: For though Some such like may in Time come right and be born, when more near the Passage, and the Pains are more frequent and strong, the Place moist and slippery, the Woman kept withall in a convenient Posture: Yet many Children, and some Mothers have been lost by delays: And Pains must otherwise drive it still further, and constrain it closer into this bad Posture, and so cause greater Difficulty in its Correction, or Direction of the Head upon the right Way, as behoves e're it can be born, for thus it is impossible. Wherefore an Hand must now be softly put up betwixt the Infants Head, and the Side of the Womb it lies to, the Woman being placed with her Hips a little higher then her Head, and made to incline to the opposite Side, an Hand also helping upon the Place without: And in case the Head be wryed some more aside, and so closely engaged, as it cannot thus be set right, the Hand must be reached up to the Infants Shoulders, to raise them a little back, by the one Side, or the other, as can best return the Head to the Orifice, and make it appear in a natural Form: Assisting with the other Hand as far as necessar: And then excite and procure its Birth, as in a right Labour.  
In this Manner also is the Delivery, when a Chi●d comes in the Passage upon the Face, with the Head pressed back upon the Neck, which Way it cannot safely be born, but must therefore be wrought unto the Crown to come naturally; and needs be done with all the ease and dispatch possible: For in that Posture, the Face soon becomes blew, black, and great swelled, as well by the hard and painful Compression of the place where it it sticks, as by the Midwifes rudeness in placing it right.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of Delivery, when the Womb closeth about the Neck after the Head is born.  
ALbeit, where ever the Head passes, being big and round, the Body may readily follow, which therefore comes naturally foremost: whence its Name. Yet this may happen( though rarely) where the Shoulders are far big beyond the Head, when also they are not made to come immediately into its room in passing: When the Mother beside, or the Infant faints, the Shower breaks, the ways are again straitned: If the Infant withall be dead some dayes in the Womb, for then its Head turns soft, goes together, and is longish in passing, and having no more firmness, cannot form the Passage so well to the Shoulders: Yea sometimes it is so small, as it neither opens the ways, nor can be got handled so easily and rightly as becomes.  
The Infant must now have speedy relief, else it quickly strangles, while the Womb closeth about the Neck, and squeezeth the Throat, pulling it on by the Sides of the Head, or under the Chin and behind, by turns as it best advances; yet very gently, for Violence may pull it off: Careful the Neck be not in the String. And if thus the Shoulders come not, some Fingers may be hooked inwards into the Arm-pitts, and so pulled forward by little and little, and set free, which the rest of the Body then easily follows, unless monstrous, or( as happens mostly in this Case) blown up by Dropsy in its Belly, whence it becomes impossible to pass, till the Belly be pierced, and the Matter let out, of which afterwards.   

CHAP. XIX. Of a Delivery, when one or both Hands come with the Head, or when the one or both Hands offer alone.  
THe one or both Hands, are the only Parts presents with the Head, and mars the Infants Birth, while so, part of the Passage is filled up, or the Head turned on one Side. The appearing Hand therefore( or both if they come) must be straightway thrust inwards, as much as may be, and turned down at the Sides: The Head also, if turned aside, must be brought upon the right Way, into a natural Form, that so it may break forth in a strait Line: Or else, an industrious Midwife may receive and pass it, while both Hands offer in the Orifice, being conjoined as close as can, and the Head strait between them, the rest of the Body after: And hath less peril, if there be good Pains, a large slippery Pass, and the Infant more small.  
Sometimes an Infant presents its one Hand alone, and is more usual: Or both, which is more rare: And Some the Arm as far as the Elbow, yea oft, even to the very Shoulder, as far as it can come; which is the most unhappy Posture of all, for that the Infant is most rarely ever got alive, especially if the Midwife make not timeous discovery, but tamper on till it come the utmost length: Beside, that the Mother suffers sore through difficulty and pain of the Delivery.  
One must now straightway thrust back again into the Womb, this Member of the Infant( or both if they offer) with his Hand, passing the same under its Breast and Belly, up to the Feet( and Some have them now raised to the very Bottom of the Womb) which he must softly ply, and pull towards him, piece and piece, thus turning the Infant about, to draw it out thereby: And is held a more easy, sure and safe Way, then working to have it out in the natural Figure: Nor can it be brought safely the Way it now offers, for tho these Parts appear, and seem to afford an easy hold for drawing it forth, yet being thus pulled Travers or across, it comes doubled with its Head and Shoulders, whence the Arm may sooner be rent from the Body, then the Infant be so brought forth: Nor does it succeed when tried, neither can it be tried without the Mothers extreme hurt: And tho Midwifes pull and works on this Way, yet whatever becomes of the Mother, be sure the Child is lost: Neither must one expect that the Infant tho alive, can by any Means be made to draw it in of its self, being once thus come out. Zarah's case is singular. Sometimes the ignorant Midwife works on, still thrusting up the Arm, and letting it fall down again at each Pain, till it come almost to the Shoulder, and becomes so big swelled also, and the Body so closely engaged to the Passage, as it cannot be thrust back, as well for the great Tumour of the Mothers Genitals, as the Infants Arm; but must be taken off: In which extremity( if the Child be certainly dead, and it is good to Be sure) it may be twisted Twice or Thrice about, and so separated from the Body, just in the joint of the Shoulder, with the Shoulder-blade, and the Body after turned and brought by the Feet.   

CHAP. XX. Of a Delivery, when Hands and Feet offer together.  
AS this way of Birth is impossible, the Infant coming double; so the presentation is more rare: And in which sometimes, the Fingers and to going down to the Orifice, are so mixed and pressed together therein, as they are not easily distinguished, feeling so all of one Shape: Yet after the Womb is more open, and an Hand got up, they are soon discerned. And then the Hand may be directed to the Infants Breast only, which now is very near, and so gently strait back its upper Parts, towards the Fund of the Womb( which is almost done of itself, the Woman being duly placed) leaving the Feet at the Passage, where they stay ready to come: And so draw it forth thereby.   

CHAP. XXI. Of a Delivery, when the Knees offer.  
SOme Infants( though more rarely also) falls down to the Orifice upon their Bended Knees, with their Legs plied back towards the Buttocks: And here may One be deceived, touching but one of them, and t●ink it the Head, for its roundness and and hardness, especially while being at a distance, it can be reached with a Finger end only: Though yet as the Infant falls lower, that it can be handled some better, the Part then appears. And now the Knees must b●… thrust upwards, for an easier Explicatio●… and Diduction of the Legs, and a Finger o●… two, put under the Ham of the one Leg, passing the same down the back Side thereof●… piece and piece, till the Foot be come at, drawing still somewhat squint, to reach it the better: Which being brought thus to the Passage, let the other be directed thither the same Way: And so extract it by both, as when it comes Footling.   

CHAP. XXII. Of a Delivery, when a Shoulder offers, the Back or Buttocks.  
FOr relief in these, the part presents must be softly thrust back from the Orifice●… an Hand introduced, and past alongst the Infants Body the Way may best reach its Feet, to turn them to the Passage, and so roll about the Infant and bring it forth thereby: And thus the Shoulder is the worst of these three, being farrest from the Feet; beside that the Infants Neck being thus wryed, and its Head turned aside, it is more painfully constrained and locked in this Situation then in the other.  
When it comes upon the Loins, Breech, or Ars-ward, it oftimes cannot be born so, and not unless it be very small, the Mother big, the Way wide: Yet is then always brought with great stress, pain and detriment to both Mother and Infant: Which Way ought therefore to be ever avoided if possible: So that as soon as the In ant is perceived to come thus, the Buttocks must be thrust back, an Hand introduced, and slid up alongst the Thighs to the Legs and Feet, which One must work about to the Orifice, the one after the other, by folding, stretching, wagging, and drawing them toward the Side, and still with all the industry and ease possible, lest they be hurt, or dislocated, if pinched too much, or winded rudely: Yet sometimes the Breech is pressed far down, and so strongly engaged in the Passage, that it cannot be put back, but must be brought forth in this Posture: Which yet hath great difficulty, pain and danger, wherein the Belly is so pressed, that oftimes the Ordure is expressed: One may however help in this Birth, by crooking some Fingers inwards into each groin, and so draw it through to the Thighs, and then by drawing and wagging it from Side to Side, disengage them from the Passage, as also the Feet and Legs one after the other, still careful of any hurt or Dislocation: Finishing the rest as Footling.  
When an Infant falls to the Passage upon its Back, the Body is folded inwards, and made almost double, its Breast also and Belly are so prest together, and the more if there be strong Pains, as it goes near to be choked, unless quickly turned to either end; for thus it can never be Born.   

CHAP. XXIII. Of a Delivery, when the Breast, Belly or Side presents.  
SOmetimes tho more rarely) the Infant offers upon its Breast, sometimes also it lies to the Orifice upon its Belly, which may be touched and the Navel also, the Hands and Feet raised up, or cast, and turned backward; ways that Nature, and the Case itself shows it impossible to be Born: And are the most dangerous Postures of all, the most cruel and tormenting, in which the Infant soon miserable dies, being thus violently bended, and doubled backward as into a circled: Neither is it soon turned to the Head, or Feet, by the chirurgeon, or Midwife however expert. And the sooner also it dies, for that now the String mostly falls out, is cooled, compressed and falls together; so that the Circulation is marred, and the Infant deprived of its vivifick Nectar, or vital Spirit.  
The sole remedy for the Breast or Belly, is to turn the Infant and draw it forth by the Feet, and that with all speed, being otherwise thus sure to perish: Wherefore One must slid up his flat Hand to the middle of the Childs Breast, which he must thrust back from the Orifice, for to turn it( and is thus half turned already) passing up his Hand under its Belly till he reach the Feet, and then bring them about to the Passage, and so draw it forth thereby. In like M●nner also must he push it a little from the Passage, if either Side offer, enter his Hand, and slide it alongst the Thighs, till he reach the Legs and Feet, by which he must turn it about to the Passage, and so draw it forth: And are better ways of Delivery, then to turn it into the right Form of a natural Birth, as surer, and more speedily effected for the Infant who must needs die in these unhappy Postures, if not thus quickly delivered.   

CHAP. XXIV. Of the Delivery, when several Infants present together in some of these different Postures.  
AS is the Case with one single Infant, so with Twins or more: For as that hath one truly natural Form of Birth, and many Non natural, so also they, and are both expede in the same manner: Yet the more Infants come to be born at once, the bigger also they be, the worse their Situation and Form, the more pressed and entangled, the greater is the difficulty, the pain and peril in Bearing.  
Sometimes Twins come both right, and sometimes they both come wrong: But oftest the first comes right, or by the Head, the second by the Feet, or other worse Way: The One also first advances to the Passage for the most part so far before the Other, as the 2d. is not perceived, till after the 1st. is born, that the Burden comes to be extracted: Yet they offer not always thus to the Birth, nor can be born in the most convenient Order, to wit, the Strong and Big making Way for the Weak and Small, the Living to expel the Dead: but still the foremost what ever it is, or that which lies next and most commodiously to the Orifice, must ever come, or be brought away first, if it cannot be born of itself: And that as soon as may be, for a more speedy relief to the 2d. in that ill Posture, which must now be brought by the Feet, without trying to place it right, though it inclined somewhat to the Head; unless the Pains continue more quick and frequent, the Woman more hearty, and while the first Labour hath been withall more natural and easy, the Way made large and patent: But usually, a Woman bringing Twins, is so discomfited with the Birth of the 1st, that She quiter fails to hear of sustaining a new conflict, and pangs of Labour with a 2d, So that she hath scarce any Breathing from Pain( For Twins are born the same day, yea whiles the one at the others Heels) Whence she hath after no more Pains and Throws, or very few, these also very languid, and of no force to bear this 2d, which having also suffered much this while in a bad Posture, could hardly ever be born if placed right( yea, or yet now coming right) by Labour, or the strength of Nature, but lying too long by the Way, might die: Which therefore must be speedily turned, and brought by the Feet, especially if the Labour look tedious, or the Woman grow weaker: Breaking the Membranes also if needful, that it may be go●… thus extracted.  
When Twins offer Hands or Feet together, One must be sure the Bodies be not joined, or any ways monstrous: And distinguish well the Parts belong to each●… that so they be not drawn at together, bu●… the One brought forth before the Other●… which He may do, in taking aside the righ●… and left Foot he finds nearest, and most forward, and sliding up his Hand alongst the Legs and Thighs, to the Twist if forward, to the Buttocks if backward, where if he finds they join the same Body, he must dispatch its Birth, whatever it is, as soon as possible, and just the Way of one single Child coming Footling: having put aside what ever Part the other Infant presents, for a clearer Pass while the 1st comes forth( yet a little only, lest relapsing into the Womb it should change into some worse Form) which being born, let the Other be strait way received as it ought, yet must not the Burden be stirred till both be born, because of Flooding, being usually but One.  
What ever Pars else offer beside the Feet, or however otherwise wrong Twins present, the same Course must be taken to their Delivery, as in the single Postures above mentioned; bringing that always first which lie nearest and most commodiously to the Way, and readiest for Extraction be it dead or alive or however else.   

with fixed so low in the Bones, as it cannot go back, without great violence and torment to the Woman, it is better to hazard its Life in coming so,( being most rarely now saved however) then destroy the Mother by working thus to turn it.  
The Burden may also separate and come first in Labour, tho more rarely, whence the Infants sudden ruin, being suffocated for want of Respiration, which it immediately needs, having no more Ventilation, or refreshing by the String and Burden: being smothered beside, and drowned with a Span of Flooding, which is incessant, till the Womb be rid of all: whereby the Mother also is soon destroyed. And whiles the String hanks about the Infants Neck in the Womb, or some other Part of it, whence the Burden is continually drawn, and loosed by little and little before the time, if the Infant move but never so little towards its Egress, till at length it separate entirely: yea even before the Bag break.  
If the Burden present only, but comes not forth, and while the Bag is not yet broken, the Part of it which presents must be put a little aside, till the Bag come right: seeing the Burden cannot be drawn out without the Bag, which must then also be torn with the Fingers, the Infant turned and brought strait by the Feet, and the Burden after: But if the Bag be quiter split, and the Burden now fallen in the Passage, near almost come forth, which is perceived by its softness, the String also annexed, and the Womans great Flooding, it must not then be returned( much less when come wholly out) but brought forthwith away out of the Way, and the Infant strait after by the Feet( the only Way if any of its preservation) even though it offer the Head: Not waiting to cut the String, till after Delivery, for a more speedy dispatch of its relief, and that the Womans Flooding also may be the sooner stopped; as comes to pass mostly as soon as she is Delivered.   

CHAP. XXVI. Of Floodings and Convulsions in Labour.  
WE have shown before in the 1st. Book, what must be done for relief, when pregnant Women bleeds any from the Womb. But the only fit and safest Course here, in Case the Bleeding come of a sudden, be copious and incessant, a real Flooding which threaten ruin to both Mother and Infant, is a speedy and present Delivery: bringing the Child by the Feet: yea breaking its Membranes also, if the Womb be any little way open to have it thus extracted. Yet if her Bleeding now be very moderate, and begins only in the Travail, if the Woman also bear up, and have good strong Pains, She may be left to Nature's dispatch with the usual assistance.  
Convulsions also seizes Some in Labour, though more rarely, and may arise from too great plenty of Blood, carried to the Brain in the vehement Aestuation of Labour: From too great loss also of Blood: From a most grievous Pain likewise in the vehement and utter distension of the nervous Womb: Yea, and the Tension of the whole Nerves, and more sensible Parts: As also from Irritation of some sharp Humour, or malignant impepetuous Vapour, which cruelly pricks, and bites the Nerves to a Convulsion.  
Convulsions in Labour are very terrible and dangerous, yea mostly the ruin of both Mother and Infant however they be caused: And especially the more numerous, frequent, and sore the fits: As when she gnashes her Teeth, foams at Mouth and Nose, Snorts strongly, remains quiter benumbed and Senseless: For then the Functions of the Womb are perverted, irregular Motions provoked, the Parts of the Body wrested and wryed with a terrible Concussion thereof: whence the Infant is suffocated, and killed in the Womb, or then She cannot bear it through Weakness.  
The only relief in this Case also is a speedy Delivery, and if the Womb be not open enough while they come on, She may Bleed in the Foot, and in the Arm if there be Plethory, use frequent strong glisters till the Womb open that the Child can be got forth: proper Anodins also, and Emollients to appease the Pains, and so soften the Torments of the Labour. Some Spirit of Harts-Horn likewise, of Salt Armoniack, oil of Amber, and other Antepilepticks, or what else may promove the Labour, and divert the vapours to the lower Parts. What proceeds from too much loss of Blood is incurable.   

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Delivery, when a Child is Hydropical, or monstrous.  
SUch being thus far too big for the Passage, the Birth or Delivery is impossible, till 1st the Dropsy be let out: which is done by a single Incision, or Hole made at the Sutures of the Head, if the Matter be contained t●erein( as is known by its bigness and distension, a separation of the Sutures, and distance of the Bones) and so lessen its bigness, whereupon the rest of the Body will be easily extracted, its other Parts being then usually small and much consumed. In like Manner also, must Incision, or a Slit be made in the Breast, or Belly, for Evacuation of the Dropsy, if contained therein: as is known, while after the Head is born, no more of its Body can be any Way got forth. And this is allowed even while the Infant still lives, to save t●e Mother: Yet only in case she be brought in great and present danger of Life, and no other Way possible of her Delivery and escape. If there be need also to Dismember a Monstrous Child, and lessen it for Extraction, or separate two conjoined, let the Knife be directed just to the Parts must be taken away, cutting them off with all the Industry possible, just at the joint: As the double Bodies, just at the Place of their Cohaesion: Bringing them after by the Feet, 1st. One then the Other: And these are Operations of greater difficulty and Labour, then the former, and require more Time and Skill to the effecting thereof: Though Such also have been safe born entire and conjoined. The best Fashion of Instrument is mentioned already, as is the Way of entering and using the same, with the greatest surety, conveniency, ease and safety.   

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Delivering of a Dead Child.  
THe Labour with a dead Child is ever long and dangerous, and the Delivery never almost but by Art; for that it comes most part wrong, and the Pains beside turn slow, weak, and quiter ineffectual to its Birth; Yea readily gives over: So that it can only be got away with the Hands, or Instruments, whole or, by parts: And must be done as soon as can, yet only after all the more valid and vehement Means are used▪ to irritate the expulsive Faculty so much the more strongly, bring on the Pains for detruding the Infant mightily, but nothing avails hereto. In which Case, the Infants Head, though now it offer right to the Orifice, must be gently thrust back, an Hand introduced into the Womb, and slid all along under its Belly, up to the Feet, to turn them about, and bring it forth thereby, as is formerly taught. Careful in the Extraction, its Head lock not in the Passage( the Breast and Face not being downward) nor be separated from the Body, as may easily through its Putrefaction: And if the Head stick, not being thus directly right, the Body must not be drawn, till it be placed so, which may be done by putting a flat Hand upon the Face to cover its Inequalities, and help in embracing it thus, to have it turn more easily into that Situation: With some Fingers kept still in the Mouth, to disengage the Chin out of the Passage: Careful to cause its Body at that same time, follow the movement made to the Head. Yet if the Head be forced so low, and fixed so close in the Bones, as it cannot be put back to have the Feet turned to the Passage, without great violence and torment to the Woman, it is then ordered to be pulled right forth with the Hook( seeing Hands can get no firm hold thereof, and being now certainly dead) easily past up betwixt it and the Womb, and that as high as can without violence or hurt, and the point thereof towards the Head; fixing it firmly( that it may not slip or turn) into one of the Bones of the Skull, and rather behind to draw it forth strait; yet beware so of hurting the Bladder: Or( for a better hold) into an Eye or Ear hole, if it can safely be got so high, wagging and drawing it out piece and piece, keeping some Finger ends upon the opposite Part, the better to disengage, and conduct it thus directly out of the Passage: Removing also the Instrument piece and piece higher if needful, as it is drawn lower, till thus the Head be wholly disengaged and born: And taking hold thereof immediately with the Hands only, the Shoulders may be drawn into the Passage: Then sliding the Fingers of both Hands under its Arm-pitts, the Body may be quiter pulled out, and the Delivery expede. If its Arm present up to the Shoulder, and so big swelled also, as it cannot be returned without great Violence, it must then be twisted off at the joint, and the Body turned and brought by the Feet. Though these Operations take place only, while no other Way or Mean is found for Delivery, and then must be done to all possible satisfaction,   

CHAP. XXIX: Of Extracting a Mole and False Concepiton.  
ALL diligence must be given, to rid the Womb of such Praeternatural things, especially the Mole: And that as soon as possible, for the longer it stays therein, the bigger it grows, and closer it cleaves, the more it hurts and weakens, by reason of these wrackful Symptoms accompany.  
All Anti-Hystericks are used, and applied for its Expulsion, as what also expels the 2 din, the dead Child, or helps in hard Labour( the Genitals being always before that, fomented and anointed with relaxant and softening Things) like as Phlebotomy, a small diet, and Baths: which things may readily work its Expulsion, in case it be but of an indifferent bigness, and that it adheres but little, or not at all to the Womb: For otherwise, an Hand must be introduced into the Womb, to separate it therefrom being ●lmost ever joined, and sticking immediately to some place thereof, without Water● or String) and that on the same wise, as the sticking Burden when the String is broken off: Using the Crotchet also, or Knife to draw it forth, or divide it if necessar, which yet is easily brought away whole, when once separated: But sometimes they are so confused together, as both compose but one and the same Body, and is then incurable, while it cannot be got off.  
The false Conception, from which a Mole always proceeds, though much less, yet often perils the Womans Life, through that horrible Flooding it procures, and Incessant also, while the Womb continually enforces to its Expulsion: Which yet sometimes is hardly got rid off, while so small, and the Womb so little distended therewith, as cannot be thrust and compressed so strongly with the Impulse of her Throws, as when bigger. Neither sometimes can more then one Finger only. or Two be got entered( the Orifice usually opening in proportion only to the small Bulk it contain●) with which One must labour to get hold thereof, and bring it clean away, with the Clods of Blood found there, whereby the Flooding will certainly cease: Or yet loosen it, that it may be expelled: Or that, being by this means mortified, it may dissolve after by little and little in Suppuration, which may be promoved as in the 2 din: And oftimes the Blooding ceases also when it is quiter loosed. But if one Finger only can be entered, and this Flooding withall be so vehement, as may quickly kill her, the Instrument Crans-bill must be used, or a Forceps, to loosen and extract the same: Careful not to pinch the Womb therewith, conducting it up alongst the Finger first introduced, with the touch whereof, One may discern between this Conception, and the substance of the Womb: Careful also not to pull too hard at first, lest it rent, but a little obliquely, from side to side, and that he keep the first Grip, till he get another higher as he draws it off from the Womb.   

CHAP. XXX. Of the Caesarean Section.  
IT is a skilful, and dextrous Extraction of an I●fans from the Mot●ers Womb, her to wit, who could otherwise never be delivered, or by no ot er Means exclude her Birth, then by a convenient Section, as well of the outer Belly, as of the Womb itself under it, and the Membranes; and so bring it forth indeed by her Side: And this without any peril of the Life of either, or both, in case they be not seized with some supervenient Symptom: preserving withall to the Mother for the future, her Fecundity, or Faculty of conceiving entire. And under this is comprehended the like Extraction of a dead Cbild from the Mothers Womb, while She cannot be delivered of it, neither by the Midwife, Medicaments, nor the more easy and surer help of chirurgery, and so remaining still enclosed therein, She is put in hazard of Life, yea lost, unless succoured by this Section, the only Remedy and Mean of her preservation. And through the neglect of which in this Case, a great many as well of the lower, as higher Rank, are daily lost, being eviscerated, and miserable butchered to Death by base chirurgeons, who boldly try Experiments in the Operations of Art at any rate. They are called Caesarean Births, in imitation of the first Roman Emperor, to wit Scipio Africanus, who for being thus cut out of his Mothers Womb, got the Name of Caesar, though the Mother was there killed, and this may be done without her Death. These who urge the Belief and practise hereof, as so very useful and necessar for the good of Mankind, seek to illustrate and make good the same, by many Reasons, wonderful Stories, and Examples of the thing itself performed with success: With Examples also of the like, or a worse and more dangerous Operation, in the same Parts of the Body that are here to be cut, to wit, the Muscles, the Peritoneum, and the Womb itself; or these near to them: Yea, in Some more noble, and more laesed, the Cure notwithstanding of which succeeded happily: adding Stories also and Cases which hath happened to the Womb, far more difficult then this Section, as that the inner part of its Bottom hath putrefied, yea, and with such a great Ulcer, as dead Infants have fallen out there-through upon the intestines, and b●en drawn out by the Belly, yet the Woman recovered: As Others also, whose Wombs after precipitation, and perfect Putrefaction and gangrene, or other Disease, have been totally cut away: Yea Others, from whom it fell away of its own accord, after it was very wasted and putrid, yet without Death, or other subsequent Disease: And many other like Stories.  
The thing however is commonly held false and impossible, and these Stories to be mere Fables, and the Imposture of their Authors, while the practise of it had ever bad success, the Women still dying immediately, or soon after this Cruel and Fatal Operation: and who could not escape, because of the big and irregular Wound must be made in the Belly, and substance of the Womb, And that Vehement and Mortal Haemorragy must needs hence ensue, the Womb and its Vessels being now so vastly Turgid, and distent with Blood: Beside that the Cicratrize which comes on after the Wound is healed, would mar the dilataion of the Womb to a new Birth: And so for these and other Causes, they cannot think of such a Cure, so full of danger, Terror, and Desperation: and which a prudent Physician, who consults his own Credit, must rarely, or never try upon a living Woman. Tho yet when it is sure a Woman is already dead, or near to Death, in the Agony of it▪ and the Infant still alive, but all hope of Delivery t●ken away, this S ction is to be performed for its preservation, and that most quickly, all things necessar being got ready; for much lies now in a few Moments dispatch: Nor does the keeping open of her Mouth and Genital● avail. So that as soon ever She expires, let her Belly be cut down alongst, to wit, the Skin, Muscles, and the Peritoneum, yet must not the intestines be hurt: Next the Womb, which must be lift up to be cut, lest the Knife might haply touch the Infant: The Membranes strait after, for remaining enclosed in these, it soon suffocates: And then let the Infant be immediately taken out with the Burden▪ which must be nimbly separated from the Fund of the Womb. And now great care must be taken of the Infant, and Means use●… to recover it of its weakness, such as are mentioned in the 21 Chap. of the 3d. Book, if there be Signs of Life; and sometimes it is hardly discerned if dead or alive, not any part of its Body being perceived to stir.  
Having thus briefly treated of Labours Natural and Unnatural▪ and of the best ways and Means of Delivery in either, it remains now to treat of the Government of Women in Child bed, and how new born Infants should be well ordered: As also of the various Indispositions and Diseases of both, all which they must yet necessarily know that intend the practise of Deliveries, and shall be the subject of the following 3d. and last Book.    

BOOK III.  
Of Women in Child-bed, and of Children new-born, with the various Indispositions and Diseases incident to both.  
HAving already brought the big Woman safely to her Port, unloaded also, or fairly twined her and the Infant, it yet remains rightly to order both, and show the M●ans, may best prevent and remedy the various Ma●●●●es they are readily taken with in this new State: Beginning at the Mother.  

CHAP. I. Of Ordering a Woman new laid, and Naturally Delivered.  
AFter the Infant is come, with all its Flitting, and so the Woman fully delivered, a soft, thick plied Closure, must be put warm to the Birth( being now so open and receptive of could) and S●e then sweetly committed to Bed, ready warmed( for then also are Women not a little cooled) and duly ordered to her Case: ●laceing Her therein ●ust on the middle of her Back( tho Midwifes so usually lay her upon one Side, as to make a Proverb) her upper Tarts a little more raised, her Thighs and Legs stretched down( close together say Some, for fear of Col● entering the Womb, and for a more speedy Union: Somewhat distant say Others, that nothing be stopped which should come out) with a small Pillow under each Ham: And so she lies easier▪ Breaths freer, cleanses better, the Womb also thus settles best into its proper and natural ●lace. And being then a little settled after the gr●at commotion of Labour( Some say 7 or 8 Hours, Some even 2 dayes) She gets for her refreshment, strengthening, and to hinder the grinned a little Caudle, Posset, Panado, simplo Broth, jelly, a Tost in Hippocras Wine, or the like, as She needs, and may safely take. Some order water Gruel, of 3 parts Water, and one of white Wine: Or of Water and strong Beer. The custom is to give new drawn Almond oil, with Syrup of Maiden-Hair as soon as she is delivered, both for the Grinding▪ and for any roughness of her T●roat with crying, and then an Hour or 2 after, some Brot▪ of Foul, Veal, and with Mutton also, if nothing more grievous superveen: And Some give rather a little good Broth only: Some order W●a●e-shot in burnt Wine, or Julep of Roses, morning and evening if the Labour hath been long and hard.  
She is ordered after to darkness( Labour giving a great stress to the Eyes, silence and rest, in a Chamber well fenced from Air and could, with a Nurse-Keeper by her: Yet Some do not let her sleep till 4 or 5 Hours after, to be sure all keep right, lest chanceing to Flood, She fall in Swoon, yea expire as Some who were l●ft fast sleeping: or( as Some also) fall in dangerous sleepy Fits, by Reason of a long and sore Labour.   

CHAP. II. Of Applications to her Birth, Belly, and Breasts.  
SOme Infants, of more big and confirmed Heads, does so extremely compress and stretch the Birth or Genitals, in passing, as to cause great and painful Contusions, and Excoriations, yea sometimes Dilacerations thereof. To temper and appease these Pains, and prevent Inflammation, One may apply thereto, oil of Almonds,, St. John's wort, Roses, Chamemel, the white ointment, Nutritum, and the like: Or an anodin ointment may be applied, made of fresh oil of Almonds, yolks of Eggs, white Wax, with a little Turpentine: And in case they be more grievous, some fresh Eggs may be beat with these oils, or with fresh Butter, and stirred over hot Embers into a Pultis, then laid warm upon the lower Belly and Privities, the Closures being first removed, and any Clods of Blood left there. Some will have the bearing Place fomented 2, 3, or 4 times a day, for the 1st. 5 or 6 dayes, with a lukewarm Decoction of Barley and Orpin Leaves: Or of Barley, Linseed, Chervil: Or of ways and Violet leaves, adding Honey of Roses: Spunging softly, to cleanse them from the Blood, Clods, and other Filth, lest through too much Moisture, Acrimony, or Corruption thereof, they Scald, Canker, Corrode or Ulcerate; changing the Closure also by that time it contract nothing of Stink. Some use lukewarm Milk only, and some Barley Water: Though that Lotion is best forborn the 1st. 2, or 3. dayes, and to be used also under the clothes, that no could come near, or enter these Parts, then so very patent( there being nothing more mischievous) especially if the Season be more could, or the Woman tender and delicate, and after a warmer Labour. Let nothing beside be applied, may cool or much commove her, to disturb, or stop her due Course of Cleansing: whence many grievous, and oftimes deadly Symptoms: For which also let no Astringents be used.  
They appoint Astringent Fomentations also, or Lotions for these lower Parts, used Evenings and Mornings after perfect Cleansing, to contract their great Laxity and distension, Settle, Fortify, and confirm the same after such Violence, and dry up the remaining Moisture thereof: Made of Milfoil, Ladies-Mantle, Horse-tail, Mouse-ear, Plantain, Flowers and Peel of Pomegranates, Acorns, Cupress nuts, myrtle Berries, and other Astringents, prepared in Smiths water, or auster read Wine, or a mixture thereof: And with these are commended( who need or require them yet stronger) Fine Bole, Scaled Earth, Dragons Blood, coral, mastic, alum: Though such Preparations are rarely sought, or yet needed: For that the Womb instantly after Labour, betakes its self into its own place, begins to contract, and by degrees, as the Cleansings flow away, Clings and Crines( gathering to itself all its Substance) so that again in few Dayes after, 6, 7, 14.( yet Some far longer, for their Nature and Disposition, or in a more Humid, Lax, Sickly State) it returns to the former solidity and firmness, pristin Form and Magnitude, with a Cavity little enough: Its Parts also recover their former Integrity and Soundness of Constitution, as if they had never so gaped, or suffered any such distension, unless it hath been more violent, or there be Laceration, great Excoriation, Inflammation, or Ulcer: It serving for ordinar, to keep them dry and clean, well secured against the least could. the Woman also in right Condition. As for her Belly, Some appoint the 2din din. while yet warm from the Womb, to be instantly applied to her Navel, and after it is removed, a Sheep-skin flaid alive, to be laid over her whole Belly, loins and Reins, or yet a Hares-Skin: And Some will have the Burden applied to the region of the Womb, especially in the Winter, and the Sheep-skin in the Summer: But this is not in use. She must have a plaster of Galbanum to her Navel, with a little Musk, or Civet in the middle, though its Smell must not come at her Nose.  
A Swath and Bolster also, may be applied to her Belly, 4 or 5 hours after Delivery, or the next day: Where Some use a four plied hand breadth linen only, which they pin but once only about the Belly, and chiefly the region of the Navel, that the Womb so vastly blown up by the Pregnancy, and dilated above it, may be easily reduced to its proper Seat, and the distended Belly also to its Amplitude and usual bigness. Some use Others, which they roll oft about, and place lower, therewith to support the Womb, keep it unshaken, steady and even, without inclining, or tumbling to the one Side or other. It is best however, they be made more slacken and easy, the 1st 7 or 8 days, chiefly after a painful Labour, else the Womb having suffe●ed great Violence and Compression, made sore and tender thereby, is now still much hurt, and must soon inflame by this close, and straight Swathing after.  
Her Breasts must be kept very easy, close and warm, to prevent a Curdling of the Milk, or the other Troubles soon incurs, when any way hurt, or yet exposed to the Air. It is best also, they be not sucked for some dayes, till the Humours so vehemently agitated, or jumbled and heated in the toss of Labour, be somewhat settled, and that more copious Rush of Milk, which then springs up, and so exceedingly prevails in the Breasts of new laid Women, be also assuaged and spent:  
If there be danger of a too great repletion, One may apply soft Rags, with oil or ointment of Roses, or oil of Myrtles, with a little Vinegar: Or equal parts of Poplar ointment, and Galen's Cer-Cloth: Or Honey of Roses, or of Mulberries, or the usual Wax-cloaths, and such like Anodin, gently astringent and repercussive things She must feed also sparing especially of things more liq●id, care●ul withall to keep an open Be●●●, and cleanse well,( a new laid Woman being he●d a great Ditch and Sink of Filth) that thus the Humours may be drawn downward from the Breasts into the Womb, and so be evacuated.   

CHAP. III. How to Govern Women in Child-bed, when there is no ill Accident.  
A Special care of such is very requisite, to secure against many unh●ppy Evil most frequently then befalls them, whereby all Joy for the born Child is marred; and that not only by reason of the Labour itself or of the Womb and after Purgations, and others peculiar only to Child-bed, but ever through the least neglect and Error in th●… Tenaing: and by these also which may seiz●… them at other Occasions, though now mor●… acute and grievous: Yet the chief care i●… against a fever, to which they are then so subject, as it is usually said to bear a Child, is to be sick of a fever; and must fall in with more vehemency and peril, after a hard Labour: Yet if it be not great, one needs not much fear other Symptoms, altho terrible: For Some suffering most grievously, have been oftimes quickly restored. They must therefore forbear the more strong and solid Meats, Spieceries, Wine: Chiefly they in the first Child, beyond Others who are more secure of the Event: And at least while the fever of Milk is imminent and lasts, which ever happens the 2d, 3d or 4th day, while they are concerned for Suckling the Child. And is whiles very sore, continuing mostly till the 9th, when it usually goes off with sweeting: Being distinguished from the Putrid, in that th●ir Breasts begin to fill with Milk, have hardness, Pain and weight; there is a weight also and heat of their Back and Shoulders: And the Purgations flow rightly, which most rarely happens in the Putrid. They must also feed sparely, of a small simplo diet, chiefly where the Labour is more cruel, and the Event more doubtful: As thin Water Gruels, Juvenal Caudles, Panado's, Broths made of Foul, of Veal, or yet Mutton, with barley, Currans, Raisans, Asparagus or Cich●ry Roots: jelly with a little Saffron: Or a Caudle well Boiled, of whole Water, half Wine more or less, and Yolks of Eggs: Which may also he mixed with some Chicken Broth. Drinking Ptisan, of Grass and Altaea Roots, with liquorice and Aniseeds: Or Water boiled with cinnamon: Or Decoction of Barley with Syrup of Maden-hair: Or boiled Water, with juice of Oranges, and a little cinnamon: Or the Decoction of Mugwort and Maiden-hair, Vervain, or Mother of Time, with a little Wine or Broth: Or a small Rhenish or white Wine Posset, or yet of Sock, if they be weak, and without fever, and the rest which may promove the Cleansings, prevent fever. They must be spare however of Drinking the 1st. 7 days, for their Breasts: And have it also lukwarm, for exciting grips: Forbearing all things notably could, too cooling, or acid, more hot also, o● vehemently warming: As all things binding. When all trouble of the Milk is over, and that fever truly settled, they may have at Midday, a little of some more solid Meat, yet rather boiled than roasted: Advancing after to their Restauration if no complaints occur, in the Kinds and Quantity of Meat and drink, both at Supper and Dinner: Yet still according to their Strength and Condition( by which the Indication of their diet must ever be regulated, which is still to be such, as a Disease may never either hence arise, or yet augment, and that Nature be still stronger then the Meat, and not the Meat stronger then Nature) the Season also, their Constitution, Custom, manner of Delivery and the like: Whence Some may take solid Meat once a day, from the very 1st 8. or 10. hours after Delivery, and some may safely take the double, twice also to Others once: And sums Meat, may be Others poison: Yet a spare small diet is securest for all, of convenient juice and Temperature, of good easy Digestion, rather little and ofter, till all fear of fever be over: For Experience testifies how sore back casts many Women get through mistakes, and too much indulgence herein, even after they appeared past all the dangers and troubles of Labour.  
She must ly well warm in Bed, especially in a colder Season( for the Air now easily enters the empty Womb) very still and quiet in a right Posture, that the Womb may settle the better, keep calm and tranquil in Mind, free from Concern or care of Business: secured against Anger, Fright, surprise and the like( For Some alarms at every trifle) and especially, that they get seasonable, full, tranquil Sleep, a safe Mean to preserve Health, and prevent the Generation of Diseases, and of greater power to recover and restore the Spirits, then Meats or Drinks of the highest preparations. There must be no Company, or Comering, especially during that feverish Emotion of the Milk: Nor must their Body Cloatbs be rashly shifted, till after the 1st 5. or 7 dayes. It is best also they get Passage each 2d or 3d day, using glisters for that effect, of Milk, or the Decoction of meadows with Sugar: And make chiefly a due and natural Cleansing. Then after 2 or 3 Weeks, more or less, for their Nature, Custom and Disposition, when perfectly Cleansed and recovered, they may gently purge off what Impurity yet remains in the Body, and could not be carried out by the Womb: Yea( to accomplish their Purification, and make every white clean) bath and wash once and again: And so after live as they list.   

CHAP. IV. How to put away the Milk from These who give not Suck.  
IT is alike as to this, whether the Milk be made of any sort of Blood, as was held of old: Or of chill, Crude, or yet Prepared, and precipitated, or filtered from the Blood in the Arteries, or then separated by some Acid liquour or Ferment: Or if made of both these together: Or of the Chylous juice, and a Serous part of the Arterial Blood: Or of some Arterial and Nervous juice: Or if it be a lymphatic liquour, discharged into the Breasts, and filtered from the Glandules, and driven forth from the Paps, through the Milky Channels, or what else.  
To put it away, some Things are applied over the Breasts, which are Astringent and Cooling, may somewhat contract the Vessels, and Pores of the Glanduls, straighten and stop the Milk Passages, impede a separation and afflux of the Milk: Such already mentioned in the 2d Chap. linen also wet in Lees of read Wine alone, or mixed with oil of Roses: Or wet in the Water or Decoction of Ladies Mantle, Horstail, Plantain juice of Medlars, dissolution of alum and the like.  
Others again are applied to resolve, discuss and dry up the Milk therein, as a Pultise of Bean Meal with Oxymel, or of the other Meals also and a little Cumin, boiled with the Decoction of Sage, Chervil, or Rue, or with white Wine, adding ointment of Althaeae, and oil of Chamemel: Or yet a Cercloath of white Wax, Whale-shot, Galbanum, Saffron, and oil of Almonds. Some apply Honey only, and to make it an effectual Remedy, lay a Cabbage leaf therewith, a little deadened before the Fire: Or make a Pultise also of the Cabbage boiled, and oil of Chamemel, The Ceruss plaster is used, as is Diapalma, and Diachylon: A Fomentation also of Sea Water: Or of an equal mixture of Wine, and Water of Rue, with Venice Soap. Nothing must be applied vehemently cooling, or astringent, or too deeply repelling: It is safest also that 1st rush of the Milk be softly sucked, or Milked out, and after by degrees, Restrain. repel, or discuss as shall be requisite: still careful of the least could in the application or removeal: For that any outward could,( as all actually could things, is extremely hurtful. She must the while use a spare small diet, less Humid, forbeariug Broths, white or small Wine, and other things more Liquid, must also drink little, else it readily increases. And be sure above all, She makes an ample Cleansing, which carries the Humours more downward, and may be much advanced by ftequent glisters. Some in the mean while advice Cupping Glasses to the inner part of the Thighs and groins, and above the Navel.   

CHAP. V. Of Child-bed Cleansings.  
THey are held to be Blood and Humours Issuing from the whole Body, but chiefly and immediately from the Pores and Vessels of the Womb, being amassed therein during Pregnancy, and Suppression of the Courses, and wherewith its spongy, soft, more porous and thick Substance is filled, and its Vessels also distended, and rendered so very big and turgid, chiefly as the Labour approaches, by that abundance of Blood, which they then carry and contain, that being laid open, by separation of the 2 din. there gushes out pure, most florid Blood, as in all other great Wounds, and the very same with the rest in the Body: Thereafter( this abundance soon abating) that which is feculent and pale, loseing by degrees its Redness, and growing still more Pale, and discoloured: Which venting also still less and less, clods in small Drops upon the Mouths of the Vessels, beginning now to fall together, and stops them; whence the most Serous Part, or Bloody and very pale Serosities only is evacuated: And in end( the Vessels being near entirely closed) a white Ichorous Purulent M●tter is excerned. And thus, all that is discharged, which would molest not the Womb only, but the whole Body also: Whereby Women then are so fair and well favoured. And thus also it is known, that there hath been a due and sufficient Purgation after Labour, while there comes first pure Blood, most plentiful, then a feculent and scarcer, lastly the purulent, yea this sometimes more copious. Some make this latter Evacuation the mere Moisture, and superfluous Humidity, which transudes the Pores of the Womb, and the Vessels newly closed, acquiring by the Heat of these Places, a Consistence somewhat thick, and that more or less, for the manner of vent, and its stay therein. Others make it the Humour which affords the Crystallin liquour to the Infant, for that the Womb may be seen not wholly read and stuffed with Blood, but with other Humours also: Beside, that in most new laid Women, it vents with their ease, rather then hurt, so that it would bring on alike ill Symptoms if suppressed: And to be either at least excerned in place of the Blood, in These exhausted of it, or evacuated alone, which in a natual State, uses and ought to flow together with it, from which it then receives a Tincture. Some make it the Breast Milk, being as it were Milk, and the Milk usually abating in proportion hereto, And this Evacuation also soon drying up by Sucking the Breasts, And which may also flow by the Womb. as the Courses have come by the Breasts, tho most rarely.  
The Cleansings however, ought to flow naturally, most pure florid Blood some while at first, and more copious( tho all are not herein alike) yet still discolour and diminish by degrees, till they quiter cease: And continue to Vent the while freely, without any stop: Be of an equal Consistence also, and without Acrimony, ill Scent or other strange Quality: Flowing beside with ease, in moderate Quantity, and Just Continuance, according to Womens various Conditions and Circumstances: Yet sometimes they are notably vitiated, through a bad Disposition of the Place whence they flow, their manner of Vent, and mixture of other Impurities and Corruption, there Stay also in the Womb after extravasation. Whence they are whiles Blackish, whiles pale, greenish also, whiles thinner, whiles more gross and Lumpy, whiles acrimonious or soft, whiles also stink more or less strongly: Yea Some have them so stinking and sordid, as they seem worse than any other Disease: And signify mostly the Corruption and putrefaction of some Substance left within, the Suppression or retention of these Purgations, whence they putrefy: Or that something is torn and separated in the Infants passage: Of all which it is fit to make mention. But the two chief Vices of the Cleansings to be mentioned, are an immoderate Flux thereof, and their Suppression.   

CHAP. VI. Of Floodings, or an immoderate Flux of the Cleansings.  
THe chief Causes are, Dilaceration of the Veins and Arteries in the Neck of the Womb, in the violent Labour of a big Child: a rash violent separation of the After-birth, and tearing of the Surface of the Womb, and its turgid Vessels, so many and so pernicious Wounds: The Laxity also and too large Apertion of these Vessels: The impetuosity of the Blood in a full Body: Its acrimony, thinness and fluidity, while much agitated, heated and rarefied in a cruel Labour, or by Meats or Medicines unskilfully used at that time: The laxness also, or debility of the Womb after such a a Labour, which cannot therefore contract itself: Any strange Body lodged still in its Cavity, be it a piece of the Burden, a false Conception, or yet Clods of congealed Blood, making distension, Pains and this copious Bleeding, while it works for Expulsion thereof.  
This is the most dangerous and dismal Accident of any, and hath most quickly dispat●hed Some( and who seemed very happily laid, yea for all the Helps could be used) through an immense Profusion of Blood, the treasure of their Life, streaming out with some violence: yea Some while neither Midwife, nor any by did advert: And this Cause of their Death, the Bloody Bed they lay upon did well discover. If it be more moderat, yet continue long, it becomes incurable, or is with great difficulty stopped and dried: And soon makes Cachexy, Atrophy, Decay, an ugly Complexion, continual Whites, oedematous Inflations of the Legs: And oftimes a Tympany, or deadly Dropsy of the whole Body, chiefly in an unsound Constitution, Elder Age, and after many and hard travels. It is not so fearful, from its Quantity and Continuance( for Some Bleed a space, and more copiously, without great Peril, while Others are suddenly extinct for the various Circumstances) as from its uneasiness, and wrackful Symptoms, to wit, the sudden Ruin of Strength and Appetite, a languid, intermittent, yet swifter Pulse, Vertigo, dimness of Sight, tingling of the Ears, Faintings, Suo●nings, light Convulsions, lethargic sleeping, and the rest.  
The Cure lies in stop of the Blood, which being the treasure of Life, must by all Means be saved: Tho yet a rash and too sudden stop, hath been very pernicious, and produced a Rose, tumours, and other Preternatural things in the Womb, distension of the Belly, Pains under the short Ribs, hard Breathing, Suffocation, future Barrenness, and Death not seldom.  
The prime Intentions are, to temper and lenify the Blood, cool and incrassate the same, alloy its Praeternatural Effervescence, stop its Impetuosity, that the Pores of the Vessels may not be so strained by its vehement Aestuation: Heal and consolidat the Excoriations, fortify the laxer Parts and Vessels of the Womb and the rest, as the different Causes require.  
In this case, the Woman must ly equally flat in Bed, very still and calm, and be kept somewhat cool. Useng the more easy things at first, while the Flux continues moderat, the Blood gross and particoloured, and She weakens not much: Such as Panado's, jellies, Rice, or Starch, with Broths of Veal Feet, or of Rams Head and Feet, or of Chickens, boiled with Sorrel, purslane, Plantain Pimpinel, St. John's wort: roasted Chickens also, boiled Pears, Quinces, old Conserve of Roses, Emulsions, chiefly of barley and Almonds: Caudles boiled of Rose and Plantain water, Eggs and auster read Wine: Pap of well steeled Milk, with Meal of Wheat, or rye, Beans, Rice, or Starch: And others such things, cooling, incrassant, drying and astringent, of an emplastic and styptic, Faculty: Drinking Claret with Water, wherein mastic, or its Wood hath been boiled, Iron or Gold oft quenched: Or the Water alone: Or middle Ale, wherein Leaves or Seed of Plantain, of Sorrel or Dock hath been infused; advancing by little and little, to things stronger if needful: using glisters also, if it appear to be maintained by hard Excrements, or Wind in the guts. And ridding the Womb especially, of any thing may be left therein to cause it.  
If it urge vehemently, and turn extremely perilous, as is known by her Pulse, and other Actions of Life, an incessant violent Flooding of pure florid Blood, Medicines are hastened more potently astringent, inward and outward( regarding its stop only, for that it threatens Death most quickly) these in Juleps, Powders, opiates, and receiving chiefly, Waters of Frog-spaun, Plantain, read Roses, Water lilies, Poppies, Milfoil, Knotgrass, Horsetail, Ladies Mantle, Tormentil, Sheepherds-purse, purslane: Syrups of coral, Quinces, Comfrey, dried Roses, unripe Brambles, Myrtles, sharp Pomegranates: Powders of Salt Prunellae, Bole, Blood-stone, Dragons Blood, coral, Pearl, Cochinel, sealed Earth, Balausts, Crabs Eyes, burnt Harts-horn, Grains of Kermes, Troches also of Amber, of Earth of Lemnos, of Spodium, binding Crocus of Iron, Extract of Comfrey, Acacia, Hypocistis, Conserve especially of the Field Roses, Conserve of Comfrey, Marmalat of Quinces, Confection of Hyacinth, Rob of Sloes, and the rest: Yea the same Blood instantly dried in an Iron Ladle, and given in the raw Yolk of an Egg. And if any great Heat accompany, Acid Austere things are the best.  
There are extern Applications about the Region of the Womb, as a sponge boiled in strongest Vinegar to the Share-bone, linen w●tt in Oxycrate( could if the Season be very warm) to the loins: Astringent Fomentations also, the same mentioned in the 2d. Chap: of this Book, used scarce warm, or almost quiter could: And of the Astringent Powders may Unguents be made, with oil of Myrtles, of mastic, and the Countess's ointment. Cataplasms are likewise laid about the lower Belly, Share and loins, of Bole, Earth of Lemnos, Chimney Soot, Mill Dust, Dragons Blood, mastic, Magistery of led, Acacia, Spiders Webs, Plaster, and the other strongest Stypticks and Astringents, incorporated with Juice of Plantain, a little Rose Vinegar, and Whites of Eggs. Defensive, Contra-rupture, and others Astringent plasters, are also applied. Some use Asses, Some Swines Dung.  
Vulnerary and Astringent Injections are conveyed into the Womb, Astringent glueing Pessaries put up therein, which yet can only touch the Vessels in the Neck of it, without reaching the Fund, if it bleed from thence. There are yet Frictions, and painful Ligatures of the upper Parts, Cupping Glasses under the Paps, and to each Hypoconder: Suaths to the Belly. In end, while nothing avails, She is to be laid on fresh Straw, with a single Sheet, or read Leather only, and Bleed in the Arm by little and little, and with stops.  
She may this while smell to Rose Vinegar, or Wine, and take a little of this also in case of great weakness,( tho otherwise Some forbid it) take more frequently also, some good Broth with jelly, and at whiles the Yolk of a new laid Egg, a Crumb of Bread in Wine, or such like mettalsome refreshment: And if She sleep( which were best quiter debarred while She bleeds more vehemently, tho Some will have it more profound, as sifting all Evacuations save Sweat) let One attend her Pulse and Respiration, lest She sleep to Death. What Clods of Blood withal, may stay in the Womb while it stops, and there make Pain and distension, must be timely had out, for worse Effects: Yet most warily, and with great ease, lest otherwise the Bleeding be moved of new. Some have a Flux of Blood by the Nose, but not, except when they have born a Son.   

CHAP. VII. Of the Suppression of Child-bed Cleansings.  
THey are quiter stopped, or either are in less Quantity, and shorter while than ought. The Quantity and Time varies, for the Season, the country, Age, Constitution, Temperament, Habit of Body, manner of Living, the longer, or shorter Apertures of the Vessels: Thus Some Cleanse very sparely, and without any notable hurt, as robust and Laborious Women, or These who live hardly: Such also, who have had any extraordinar Evacuation in, or before the Labour, or are in other bad Circumstances: Others again purge largely enough, and in notable abundance, as These who fare richly, are more plethoric, and in the better Circumstances: And for the most part, the Measure hereof, answers the Courses, that such who have few of These have little also of This.  
Moses orders 30 days Purification for a Male, 42 for a Female: Hippocrates admits almost the same difference, which yet must be understood in some other Sense, or else Women in these Eastern, and far hotter Countreys, as Judea and Greece, undergo much longer, and far different Fluxes, then with us, where none Cleanse more then a Month▪ for either Sex( tho Some make it to be larger, and longer, after a Female, then a Male) and with Many it is over in 15 dayes, with Some in 7, with some also in the 3d. and that after Females: And albeit a while after, there remains some moistness, yet no manifest Evacuation, except in the Whites, or in Some also who use Copulation too soon, especially if ofter, and more ardent; whereby they come to have continual Voidances, with a great weakness and weight of the Womb, a good space after: And still the longer, while they abstain not: A great mar to Conception. And what is said, must be understood of perfect Labours, for the younger and smaller the Abortion is, the less must the Cleansings be.  
A sudden and total Suppression is rare, and not without manifest hurt and peril( chiefly in the beginning, when they are in greater plenty) producing fearful and Truculent Symptoms, and Tragedies through the whole Body, while they begin to putrefy, rage and sharpen: As pains and weight in the Head, Redness of Face, trouble of the Eyes, Frenzy, Convulsions, Palpitations of the Heart, Faintings, hysterick Diseases, Obstructions of the Bowels and Vessels, difficult Breathing, Loathings, Vomitings, distension of the Belly, fevers almost malignant, and with the worst of Symptoms, as frequent chillness, great Unrest, Repletion of the Head, Oppression of the Vitals, a languid Pulse, Stupor and the rest.  
From Stagnation also, and Corruption of these Impurities in the Substance and Cavity of the Womb, arises Pain, Inflaflammation, Abscess, or Schirrous tumour therein: And sometimes an incurable Cancer: Inflammations also and Apostems in the lower Belly, Abscesses in the Breasts, Inflammation of the Lungs, Quinsies, Plurifies, Pains in the loins and groins, Sciaticks, Lameness, Scabs, malignant tumours, and all the other Evils accompany suppressed Courses, The Impurity thus dispersing through the whole Habit.  
The chief Causes of their Suppression are, a dull Ferment, the grossness, Viscosity, and slowness of the Flux, Obctruction of the Vessels stuffed therewith, a Part also of the Burden remaining fixed, or a Mole cleaving to the Womb, or clods of Blood therein: The Womans restlessness also, and frequent tossing or tumbling in Bed, a fever whence soever superveening, vehement Perturbation of Mind, being commoved with great Anger, or strike with panic Fear: Other great Evacuations: Astringent Medicines unskilfully used: could also entering the Womb, constricts and shuts the Mouths of the Vessels, coagulates this Flux and quiter stops it: As does could things taken inwardly: A could Shift, or Sheet may procure the same, especially if any thing moist: And may happen likewise, while Some being weary of Bed, especially in the 1st Child, they rise too soon, goes about to colder Rooms, and so catch could: whence also Pleurisies, Rheums, Coughs, in which the more soft, delicate and warmer kept, suffer sooner, and sorer, then Country or common Women.  
We have shown already the best Government in Child-bed, for her right Cleansings and a happy Issue thereof: however in this Case, the Womb must be rid of any Preternatural thing therein, the viscous, gross, or grumy Matter must be attenuated, rarefied and resolved, the Uterin Parts mollified, and relaxed, the Ways made patent, and the Humours carried downward: For which there are opening and solvent glisters, Fommentations also to the Privities and lower Part of the Belly, with woollen clothes, or sponge, of the Decoction of aromatic solvent Plants( these chiefly called Uterins) such as, Malves, Althaea, Pellitory, Rue, Feverfew, Penny-Royal, Calamint, Savin, read Mugwort, Flowers of Chamemel, Melilot, Daucus Seeds, Roots of round Birth-worth, of Bria●y, and the rest used in provoking the Courses. There are Applications beside about the Privities, in form of Unguents, plasters, Perfumes, Pessaries, of Things which have sharp and penetrating Exhalations, are Fragrant and odiferous: As Galbanum, Ammontacum, Sagapenum, Assa Faetida, Musk, Zivet, Castor, and the like. Uterin glisters also, hard Frictions moreover of the Legs and Thighs downward, painful ties of the Toes, Cupping glasses to the Groins, or inner Roots of the T●ighs, and to the Haunches. Bleeding is added as a noble and choice Remedy in such Cases, first in the Foot, or Hamm, and after( if that do not, and there be suspicion of Plethory) in the Arm; and Some forthwith superadd the Other thereto: And Some will have bleeding in the Arm to precede, in Case of Plethory, or stagnation of the Blood about the Womb, Or fear of Inflammation there: And Some appoint this Bleeding only in Case of Plethory, or hot burning fever, which yield not to other Helps.  
She may this while use Broths and Ptisans, with the opening Roots, Capillaries, Mugwort, Marigolds, cinnamon, Saffron, Cicers, Madder roots, Liquorish: Posset of Mugwort, or Penny-royal water: yea stronger Things also if needful, as Aloes, Salt of Amber, Troches of Myrrh, Castor, in garlic, Leek, or Savin water: Or decoction of Juniper: And others also which are said to have a specific or peculiar Property to drive out the Birth, and After-birth: To which if hieroglyphics be added, they may cure the better. She may also Purge gently a Week after Delivery: Yet regard must still be had to the various Symptoms which may accompany, and the urgency thereof: For if the Woman suffer little or no detriment, There is less to be done, especially if she give Suck.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the Prolapse of Womb and Fundament.  
THe Womb is said to change its situation, while it ascends, reclines, or descends. Of this descent there are several Differences or Degrees of more or less only, for sometimes the inner Neck only falls upon the Privities, at other times the whole Body or Fund of the Womb falls down upon the sheathe, yet comes not out, and in its Border appears the inner Orifice, as it were the nut of the Yard with a manifest hole, which sometimes falls without the Privities, yea is inverted, as likewise its Fund, hanging down like a Man's cod, or ones Head; in Some to the very Thighs: And then there must be also a So●ution of the Connexion of the Neck.  
This falling of the Womb is said to proceed, from Disruption of the broad and chief Ligaments, implanted into the Fund thereof: And that by any external violence, hard and inequal shakes of the Body, great Stretches, Strains, or what else makes cruel Compressions, Concussions, or forcible Depressions of the Womb, especially when very big and heavy: As vehement Coughing, Sneezing, a Fall, Blow, Leapings, Dancings, running too steep up or down, Vociferations, lifting of a more weighty Burden, and violence of other Chances: but mostly it follows the most heavy Carriage and grievous Weight of a bigger Animal or Twins, sore and unnatural Labours, chiefly where the Child lies wrong, or does otherwise hardly pass; being, moved in extreme Efforts and strong pressing downward to exclusion of it, or of-the After-birth: Yea with such force whiles and vehemency, that it is driven out. And then it comes of a sudden, hath greater pain, and is oft followed with a Flux of Blood. It may happen also through a rude, violent and rash Extraction of the Child, or of the Burden when it sticks fast to the Womb, especially while an unskilful Hand being put up to loose it, pulls the Womb in stead thereof, as Some have done: As from Medicaments likewise preposterously given to expel them: And sometimes from vehement Commotions of Mind.  
The Ligaments of the Womb are also spoiled and remits, and its substance becomes lax and weighty, and so slips downward in a sickly State, or while affencted with a could and humid Intemperature, or soaked with a Deluge of Whites, or snotty Pituitous Matter, from plenty of like Trash through the Body, in Women given to Cups, a more gross and moist diet, day Sleep and what else promoves a Catarrhous Disposition: And may happen likewise through a tedious Looseness, with great Pain and Needings: A could moist Air also entering the Womb in Child-bed, and the like: And then it comes by degrees, and after a longer time, and hath less Pain.  
A bearing down, or falling out, may happen to any Woman, even Virgins, tho more rarely: An entire Inversion never, save immediately after Labour, the Orifice being then only so widened and open, as to let it out▪ which at other times remains shut.  
The Malady is obvious to the Senses, both seen and felt: And makes beside great Pain in the Reins and Loins, a weight also in the lower Part of the Belly, and upon the Privities: And where there is a Rent, Corrosion, or any Putrefaction, a Bloody sanious Matter evacuates.  
It is a frequent, most miserable irksome trouble▪ mars Walking, Coition, and convenient vent of the Courses. And if it hang long or far out, it tumifies and inflames by the could Air, hath great Heat and Pain, from smarting of the Urin and other Filth: And being therewith continually moistened, is ready to Corrupt and gangrene, to cause Fevers, Watchings, Convulsions, yea Death in end. Tho in Some it is said to have rotted and fallen quiter away: Yea Some have had it wholly cut off to save Life, when it could not be reduced, and that without Death or any grievous Disease.  
Some however flatly deny any falling of the Womb, which they will have to consist still immovably in its Place, by reason of its Constitution and the enclosure of such strong Walls, admitting only some Laxity of the Neck or sheathe, which thus comes out and turns, hanging down like a Man's Yard, or a Pudding, and the bigness at least of an Hen Egg, the length also of 3, 4, or 5, Fingers: Or then the Membranes of the Share to lengthen so, as the less skilled have taken it for the Womb,  
When recent and timely looked to, the Cure is more hopeful, in young Women if tractible, and when it is also a Relaxation only, or small Rent: for a thorough Rent is quiter incurable. If it be far and long time out, the Woman old and peevish, it is desperat, for tho reduced it quickly relapses. If it fall out instantly with the Child, it may Kill the Woman in a few Hours, if not speedily reduced, because of great Bleedîng, Pain, Inflammation, Swelling, and other grievous Symptoms soon arises.  
For Cure, the Womb must be returned into its right Place, stayed up therein, its Ligaments also restored and fortified, with glueing things, if there be a Ruption of the Fibres, with things Drying, Astringent and Strengthening, if only a Relaxation.  
To its easier Reduction, the Belly and Bladder must be emptied, and the Woman laid on her Back, her Hips raised, her Thighs spread, and Knees thrust upwards: The prolapsed Part must be cleaned, its Inflammation eased, any Inflation chiefly, or tumour thereof, which may mar its retrusion, removed first of all, by emollient Fomentations and Unctions: And then be softly prest up the Neck, thrusting it inwards piece and piece, from side to side, till all be repast t●e Privities: Using also( if Hands should hardly d●) the grosser end of a Stick, blunted and wrapped in linen: Or which hurts less, a firm linen Pessary, accommodated to the use: Or a wax Candle of due bigness, to which they add Assa Faetida, or Castoreum: And by these it may be thrust higher then with the Hands alone: Some appoint Vomiting as a good Mean for its Revocation. Some also give great fright and terror to the Woman, by feigning a burning Iron, or the like terrible thing upon the Part: Or putting living Mice, Frogs, or other frightful Creatures among her Thighs. To make it pass the Gliber, they anoint it with a Mucilag of Quince Seeds, Comfrey root, or Tragacanth: And after straw upon it to hinder a relapse, the fine Powder of Acacia, Hypocistis, Myrtle Berries, Balausts, Roses, Gum arabic, mastic, Sarcacol, and the other glueing things, which have no asperity: With a Stoppel in the Entry, of Wool, Silk, or sponge, comform in shape and thickness, tramped in auster read Wine, or the dissolution of Acacia or Hypocistis in read Rose Water.  
During the Cleansings, that they may be nothing marred, a right Situation alone must serve to its retention, she lying to wit on her Back, or a little to the one side, her Hips raised, her Thighs stretched easily down, and restend the one to the other, her Legs somewhat across; using the Bed-pan in Bed, and lying along if possible, and without pressing, with her Hands the while bearing up the Bottom of her Belly: Which may also be supported with easy Bolsters and Swaths. She must have a gentle glister when Costive. After her Cleansings are finished, She may ply the usual provision with Others in that condition, for its stay and Firmance: as sweet Smells to the Nose, stinking to the inner part of the Privities, large Cupping-Glasses under the Paps, and to the Navel frequently; as also to the loins. Astringent Fomentations to the lower Belly and Privities, half Baths( providing it be securely kept up in that Posture) astringent Powder: strawed thereon, the lineaments and plasters mentioned in the former Chapter, Perfumes likewise, but chiefly astringent Injections. Astringents and Roboratives are ordered by the Mouth also, to comfort the Womb, and help its retention: Such Medicines beside, as may evacuate, discuss, and dry up the pituitous Matter, Mend any vicious Constitution of the Body, the Intemperature of the Womb, fortify and firm its Ligaments. And to secure against Relapse, or stay it up, where there is no hope of perfect Cure, She is made still to wear a Band, much like these for Ruptures, and ever keep Pessaries, of such Matter and Shape, as may be most commodious and fit to stay it up in its Place, even so say Some, as She may ply her ordinar business, copulat easily, and the Husband never perceive it, Conceive also, Bear and bring forth. Some will have these Pessaries to remain only in the Neck of the Womb, it being impossible to thrust them further then the Mouth of the same, save instantly after the Delivery. Yet Others will have them enter its very Cavity, and never be taken out, where they have been found in Some after Death.  
If the Fundament force out, as whiles in the vehement Efforts of Labour, it is to be reduced the same Way as the Womb, and with Astringents also( though sometimes no Mean nor Art can make it stay or stick up) yet cannot be done till the Child be born, but must as soon after as possible, for the could quickly makes it swell, and turn very painful: And the better to prevent its Prolapse the time of Labour, the Woman must not press down too hard, nor force her Throws too strongly, while the Child is very near and forward in the Passage. It is necessar also her Belly be kept easy after, lest it force out again through the hardened Excrements. The Haemerods likewise in Some shoot far out in a hard and vehement Labour, become very big and painful, afflicting sore in Child-bed. The means for their Ease and Cure are mentioned in the 17. Chap, of the 1st. Book, though the most effectual here, is a plentiful Cleansing, whereby the Blood is diverted, and they diminish: For which let Leeches be forborn till that be over; lest it hereby be marred, and so this trouble increased.   

CHAP. IX. Of Bruises and Rents of the Birth, or outward Parts of the Womb.  
SOme big Infants, takes so great Violence and force, for Expulsion or Extraction from the Womb, and makes such a wide stretch and separation of these Parts in Passing, so close a rub and compression thereof against the Bones, as oftimes produces painful Contusions, Excoriations, yea Dilacerations and Rents thereof: which happen mostly in First Labours, little Women, And these well old: in Others also, who have these Parts more straight, solid, dry: Or where the Infants Head is more big and firm, that the upper Bones goes nothing together in the Passage by Compression, though in following Labours, they are still dilated more easily, and without such pain or hurt by this dissension, in case there be not long Time between, or that after Infants exceed not far the 1st. in bigness, for then the like must also happen.  
One must timely apply thereto, else they soon inflame and ulcerate, through the Heat and great Moisture of the Place, the Acrimony and Corruption of the Humours, which then continually flow. And if there be simplo Contusions or Excoriations only, they may be softly sponged and cleaned, with lukewarm Barley Water and Honey of Roses, and get soft Rags applied, dipped in oil of Roses, Almonds, St. Johns-Wort: Or overspread with the White ointment, Nutritum, ointment of Roses: Or in case the Hurts be more grievous, the other Anodin Applications may be used mentioned in the 2d. Chapter: The Parts withall must be well secured from Touch and Smart of the Urin, If Inflammation and Apostem follow as in Some, it must be rightly opened, the Matter evacuated, the Ulcer cleansed with detersive and Vulnerary Injections, such as the Case requires, and be thereafter dressed and Cured as it ought: And still with all the Care, Ease▪ and Tenderness possible, for fear of Pain, Corruption and Cancer; the Parts being of such exquisite Sense, holding Commerce with the chief Parts of the Body, and very apt to draw all their Superfluities thereon,  
Some beside, in the grievousness of hard Labour, especially in the 1st, Child, and when Dead, through the straightness of the sheathe, or bigness of the passing Infant, or rash violence in the Operation, gets a rapture of the Privities, and Dilaeceration of the right gut; being rent to the Fundament, and made one continued Cleft: So that the two Holes of the Privities and Fundament go together into one, and the Midwife may enter a Finger by the Fundament, and put the same out by the Privities: In which Case, if a Reunion be desired, the Excrements and hardened Blood must be cleansed off, any begun Scar or Cicatrice cut away, the Rent securely stitched alongst and sewed up, leaving the Lips a little sepatated, for an easier Pass to after Children: With Glutinatives, balsam and plaster applied, and a firm Compress above, to secure from hurt of the Urine and other Excrements: And for a speedier Agglutination, She best ly with her Thighs close together until she be wholly sound, careful by all Means, she break not in bearing the next; though a marvel if she do not, being thus sewed straighter, whence the Mother is unhappy for the future, in that while She travels, the Genitals can never widen, nor be sufficiently enlarged for the Infants passage, by reason of the Cicatrice grown thereon: For which it is best She never bear more, or continue open, though then the Rent remains a nasty Privy, for rendering both Ordure and Urine together: Or else there is a necessity to divide the Borders thereof in Labour with a Razor, and after rent it wholly asunder.  
These Rents happen mostly, where the Lips of the Privities are more Firm, Solid and Fleshy, the Skin not being so dilatable as the Membranous Substance within: And happen yet the more readily, are also more considerable, where the Pains comes violent, and the Labour is sudden, then when they advance moderately and by degrees, or where these Parts are Pulpy and pendant, distend and widen by little and little. Sometimes also through ignorance and rash Violence, in tedious sore travels, the Bladder is made to split, and never keeps Urine after: And sometimes the Urine is stopped therein 4 or 5 dayes, its Neck being closely compressed by the Infants Head sticking that while in the Bones: whence it Inflames, and entirely Suppurates into Fistulous Ulcers, with loss of some of its Substance; Causing also Incontinency of Urine, and incurable as the Other, especially if the Holes be large, and any considerable Part of the Substance of its Neck lost and away.   

CHAP. X. Of After-Pains or Grinding.  
THey are very common, and to Some more terrible by far then the Labour pains( especially for some 1st. dayes, while they are most grievous) yea whiles so cruel and incessant, in Women more delicate, and of exquisite Sense, as to cause fevers, Watchings, Ravings: Some also have been hereby quiter broken and killed: Neither do they any white promove the Cleansings, as Some allege, but rather mars them through this vehemency of Pain.  
They are held more rare the 1st. Labour, more frequent in the 2d. which would augment in the following: And may happen so whiles, especially where they proceed from pulling away of the Burden, while it cleaves to the Womb, whence it becomes more tender and sensible, and so these Pains wax worse through process of Time, and repeated Births: Though otherwise, they happen indifferently after every Labour, according to the Causes, or the present and various Dispositions which contribute thereto.  
They are said to proceed from a Torrent of the Cleansings, their grossness and feculency, with a straightness of the Vessels, from their acidity also and acrimony, the Mordacity and Rosion they make in passing, especially where the Womb and its Vessels hath been much bruised and made tender in a sore Labour, or yet torn and excoriated, by a violent separation of the Burden, which is sometimes so firmly fastened, and growing to the Womb, as can by no Means be got off, without Laceration of itself, and the very Womb also: And then they flow more copiously. These may proceed likewise from a Total, or yet Partial Suppression of the Cleansings, their Diffusion, and Stagnation throughont the whole Substance of the Womb, and a tendency to Inflammation: From Wind also, or could received into the Womb: From some strange Body remaining still therein after Labour, which it thus travels to expel: From a Stress or Hurt of its Ligaments: And sometimes from it rising and tumbling after hard Labour, raging as it were every way like a wild Beast of the forest, by reason of its sudden Evacuation, whence a vehement Pain: And may arise also from Wind, or Acrimonious Humours in the guts.  
We shall conceive, by which one or other of These the Woman is thus molested, from the evident Causes, as outward could, sore Labour, grievous Passion or Perturbation of Mind, Meats, Medicines, and what else is done, or taken to wrong her. From the Nature also of the Pains, whereof some are Rending and Piercing, some Hot and Burning, some Beating, some also Distending, some beside are Continual, tho mostly they return by Intervals, or some Intermission, yet more grievous: And are fixed also in this, or the other Part about the Womb, or flitting to and fro. The same is likewise discovered from the Concomitant Symptoms, as the stop or copious flowing of the Cleansings, her Bound or Loose Belly, Excretion or Retention of Wind, the Efflux of a mixed or putrid Humour from the Womb, the Scalding or Rosion of the Passage, fever, Ravings, Watchings, and the rest. From the Hurters and Helpers also may the true Causes of such Pains be found out, They are differenced from other Pains by their Continuance, and Women themselves easily distinguish them from all others whatsomever.  
The Medicines then must lenify and temper the Cleansings, or attenuate the same, relax also the Pores, solve the Obstruction, provoke and move them, discuss the Flatuosity, expel any strange Body, consolidate the Wounds and Extoriation, stop the vehemency of the Flux, ease the Pains, cleanse, settle, and roborate the Womb, and the rest. For which chiefly( besides her diet and other Government as already directed, wherein the Good of all lyet) are inwardly, oil of Almonds, or Poppies, with Syrup of Maiden-hair, or Violets, a little white Wine, or Posset. The Broth of an old Cock is commended, taken immediately after Labour for 3 Mornings fasting, with a little cinnamon, Musk, or Amber-grys: As is Chicken Broth, boiled with Mugwort, Mother of Thyme, Maiden-hair, parsley Roots. Ale boiled with Chamamel Flowers. Powder also of Bay Berries, Anis, of Daucus, or Poppy Seeds, of Dates or Peach Kernels, of Saffron, of Ginamon, Nutmeg, and the rest, in Broth, Rhenish or White Wine. Whale Shot also is given, distilled oil of Nutmeg, and Others according to the various Indications and Intentions, or the present Exigency; whereto Juleps and Mixtures likewise are ordered, to be taken by spoonfuls, of Penny-royal, Mugwort and Fennel Waters, with Treacle Water, Water of Briony, of cinnamon, Syrup of Mugwort, Maiden-hair, Poppies, adding Astringents and Vulneraries in Floodings: narcotics also in vehemency of Pain: For many things can be performed, and many Indications answered, by one and the same Medicament. Some order a Decoction of well washed Faenogreek Seed, with Sugar and a little cinnamon. Some use water Gruel: And Some give a few guts of the Blood of the 2 din as peculiar for this, Some also some give the Powder thereof. glisters are used, of Milk, Sugar, Yolks of Eggs: or of Mugwort, Rue, meadows, Melilot and Chamemel Flowers, Boiled in Chicken Broth, adding oil of Almonds and Yolks of Eggs. Or of Chamemel, Anis, Dill, Cumin, adding Muskadel Wine. Others also, as her Case requires. Warm clothes are used to the Belly, as are oils, Fomentations, Cataplasms, aromatic, Aperient, Carminative, and Anodin. Some anoint the lower Parts, yea all the Belly, with oil of Amber, and apply Flannel very hot over the same, moistened therewith. Some also in extremity, will apply to the Genitals, Belly, and Reins warm bags of Oats and Millet, fried in a Frying-pan with a little White Wine. Anodin plasters are ordered to the loins: An Hysterick plaster to the Navel. For purging, Bleeding, sweeting and the rest, they come to be used or forborn, for the Occasion, the presence or absence of other Troubles.   

CHAP. XI. Of Inflammation of the Womb after Labour.  
ITs chief Causes are, a rude violent separation, or Extraction of the 2 din. A copious Rush of the Cleansings, or of Blood and Humours from the whole Body thereon, after a sore Labour, being therein vehemently agitated and overheated; atracted also through Heat or Pain of the Womb, made by violence of Labour, or painful carriage of the Child, being either big or in ill Posture: The stop likewise, or stagnation of these Purgations in the Substance of the Womb, chiefly in the beginning of Child-bed, through sudden could succeeding to Heat, whence they acquire Acrimony and Corruption: A violent handling of the Genitals in Labour: A Painful hard swathing of the Belly after, or any painful Compression, Bruise, or hurt thereof; whence comes also Inflammations sometimes, in the lower Belly. A Prolapse of the Womb may cause this Inflammation, as may any strange Body or Corruption remaining in its Cavity. Vehement Passions of Mind and the rest.  
It is discerned, by a tumour, Heat and burning Pain in some One or other Part of the Region of the Womb, or over all, as it is affencted. There is also a great Weight therein, a trouble and Pain in rendering the Urine or Ordure, as the Bladder or right gut participates: A continual burning fever beside, great Pain and Inflation of the Hypocondres and Breast, difficulty of Breathing, great troubles of the Stomach, Pains in the Head, and the rest, all which augments and increases while it tends to Suppuration: And upon Inspection of the Genitals, the inner Orifice will look Tumid, drawn inwards and painful, the Neck of the Womb read and inflamed, the little Veins dispersed therethrough, swelling every where towards the interior Parts.  
It is a very perilous Malady, and most part deadly, for if not timely headed, it may readily resolve into Apostems, Ulcers, Schirrous hardness, Cancer, or gangrene: If the whole Womb become inflamed, or Apostemated, the Cure is hard; and where Raving superveens, Convulsions, Hiccoughs Vomiting, Coldness of the Extremities, could Sweats, Death may then be quickly expected.  
For Cure, her diet must be Humectant and Cooling, as Barley Broth, Stewed Barley with Currans: Panado's of Pullet Broth, wherein Endive and Sorrel have been boiled: Drinking Ptisan, small Ale, Barley Water boiled with Liquorish. There may be also cooling Juleps and Emulsions, for her great Pain, Heat, fever. Little cooling Anodin glisters are ordered, if her Belly bind: Gentle Lenient Purges also are used, if noxious Humors abound in the Body. Bleeding likewise in the Arm, and to be repeated according to her Strength, vehemency of the Inflammation, and the Symptoms: Frictions beside and Ligatures of her upper Parts Cupping-Glasses to the Shoulders, Back and loins.  
The humour being thus tempered and diminished, the Fluxion intercepted, diverted or settled, and the worst of the trouble ever, her lower Veins may also be opened. There may be outwardly to the Place, things against Inflammation, as Gaelens cooling ointment, oil or ointment of Roses, or oil of Myrtles, with Vinegar: Or Rose Vinegar alone: Or Plantain, Rose and Elder Flower Water, with Vinegar and Camphor: Or Bole Armen, Blood-stone, with Rose Vinegar and Glare of Eggs: or a Cataplasm, boiled of Sweet Milk, with some fine grated wheat Bread, adding Yolks of Eggs, with a little oil of Roses, juice of Henbane, or Nightshade: And other Anodin, Cooling, and repellent things: which yet are fit only in the beginning, while the Inflammation is less: with such after as may gently mollify, open and resolve: And Digestives in greater quantity, if the Symptoms daily aggravate, and the Inflammation advance: As Discussives, if they remit, and the trouble incline to a Resolution.  
Such Injections are ordered, and Pessaries, as may temper the Heat and Inflammation, and alloy the Pain: Yet must make no Astriction, where the Cleansings flow: And to be immitted with all Ease and Caution, that there be no irritation or hurt to the Part: And thereto narcotics may be added, which may also be taken inwardly a part, in extreme Pain and Unrest.  
If the Matter will neither repel nor discuss, but must Suppurate, such Medicines are added, as mollify and ripen: And to be continued till a Matter be made; which is known by ease of the Heat and Pain: And after Ruption of the Apostem, and vent of that Matter, detersive Injections are used, for washing all Corruption from the Ulcer; advancing from the more soft, to stronger, as the Matter is more or less virulent, the Ulcer more simplo or sordid: With Injections in end, to dry, close, and consolidate the same, yet not till all Inflammation be removed, and all Pain allayed: If the Ulcer be in the Neck of the Womb, it may be anointed with cleansing and drying lineaments: And Suffumigations are prepared for drying the Ulcers when seated higher, toward the Fund thereof. This while gentle Purges must be used more frequently, and a Vulnerary Drink in the Intervals: With what else is necessar for Cure of the remaining Symptoms. These same almost are the ways and Means for Cure of Inflammations and Apostems, which happens to some in their lower Belly, which being more superficial and near, hath less difficulty: Yet are sometimes very considerable and fascheuse.  
Sometimes there succeeds this Inflammation of the Womb, when ill Cured, a Schirrous or hard painless tumour, which is ever rarely removed, notwithstanding of Bleeding above, or below, hemorrhoids, Purging, Aperients, or Others, used for Evacuation, Diversion, or Derivation of the antecedent Cause, or superfluous Humour: Nor are the Applications of any great force or Effect to mollify, resolve, or dissipate the same: Whether Fomentations, Unguents, Cataplasms, plasters, glisters, or uterin Injections: And when big, or obstinate it brings on the Dropsy, and if unskilfully tampered with, may turn to Cancer( as may easily also such Imposthumes) a cruel and ever incurable Malady in that Place, be it Ulcerous or not.   

CHAP. XII. Of a Belly Flux after Labour.  
THis may proceed of could, from a bad Disposition of the Air or Season, from Acrimonious Humours, or Rheums also, abounding in a cacochymic Body, through a bad Course of diet, or otherwise, and now so furiously stirred and heated in the Labour, and falling down upon the Intestines. The Aliments beside in the stomach, and Excrements in the guts, are so vehemently tossed and tumbled during Labour, and these Parts so pained and weakened from their Use and Office, by so many strong Contorsions and Compressions of the Belly thereon in the Showers, that not being able to Govern them more, or retain, transmit and expel them rightly, a Flux arises: The guts being greatly irritated withal, by the Acrimony of Excrements so long retained. It may proceed also from their irritation by the relics of some sharp glister given to provoke the Pains, or some Noxious Thing else taken the time of Labour.  
It is very perilous, and most part Deadly, if it happen the 2d. 3d. or 4t. day, especially coming after a sore Harass of Labour, and if more frequent, Copious and Painful: Beside that it may divert and mar her Cleansings. And now,  
The contrair Indications of these two Fluxes, gives difficulty in the Prescriptions: For that the One cannot be stopped, the Other flowing, as is chiefly requisite. In the mean time, some good jellies may be used, Consumme's or other proper metalsome Aliment, to maintain her Strength: Anodin glisters also, of Milk and Yolks of Eggs, or others like. And if more peril threaten through the vehemency of this Flux, then could arise from stoping her Cleansings, such Means may then be used, for her Relief and stop thereof, as are mentioned in the 18 Chap: of the 1st. Book, tho thus her Cleansings should now be made to stop likewise, yet be provoked after, the best way can. She may Bleed to supply the defect of her Purgations, as in case also of fever, which may happen hereby, or any Accident else which yields not to other Remedies. Laudanum sists the Flux, yet not the Cleansings.   

CHAP. XIII. Of tumours and Ruptures of the Belly and others.  
SOmetimes, the Impregnat Womb grows so vastly big, fills and distends its bounds so exceedingly, as the Peritonum being uncapable of a farther Dilatation, or to contain it, is forced to split, and the Muscles to separate: Whence tumours arise in the same place, while the Intestine, or cawl, or both slides therein: where Some also are said to have had the very Womb with the Infant therein tumbled, and almost wholly lodged. These Ruptures may happen whiles above the Navel, oftimes about it, whiles also below, betwixt the right Muscles( though this more rarely, the Peritonaeum being thicker from below the Navel, that in the carrying of the Infant it could be the more distended) in the groins also, and every where in the lower Belly, when ever the Peritonaeum splits, cleaves, or relaxes.  
The chief Causes are, the huge distension of the Abdomen, by the big Womb, vehement Vomitings, Coughings, frequent Sneezings while thus so tumid, Blows thereon, a Fall, or other sudden violence, straight Lacing upwards, and the rest: But mostly they arise of violent and straining Efforts in hard Labours: Whence Some also get dimness of Sight, Some dullness of Hearing, through strels of the Nerves, in that most vehement Intention, and great influx of Spirits, to a valid Expulsion of the Infant. And Some have thus got a tumour below the Navel, painful to the Touch, movable, hard, which could not be discussed by Emollients and Carminants, but haply remained till Death, like a grown to Weight under the cawl.  
Such Ruptures are ugly, and very hurtful, refrigerates the Stomach and intestines, while the cawl falls down, which cherishes the heat thereof; whence the more unhappy Coctions, Vomitings also, painful Cholicks, Catarrhs, Fluxes of the Belly, Phthisis and the like, chiefly while the rapture cannot be reduced. Sometimes at the beginning of Pregnancy, the Womb hath come out in these Ruptures, which hath killed the Woman, the Infant remaining and growing so big without the Belly, as it could not be got turned in, but been carried to the Time, as in a Sack, covered only with the Womb and the Skin. Some are thus deformed with Varices in both Limbs, with tumours also in the knock, which cannot be mollified, or discussed, coming of dilated Arteries where Astringents are needful: but These not being very ugly, and nothing uneasy, they seldom have Applications: For the Dilatation indeed of an Artery, though not without all danger, yet brings not sudden Death, except there be a thorough Ruption, and the Blood flow forth into a more noble Cavity, or unexpectedly rush out with some violence, as hath happened to some Labouring Women, who through negligence of These were by, have so been suddenly killed. Women when big, must carefully avoid all the foresaid Causes thereof, and where they happen, a Band and Compresses must be kept upon the tumour, or prolapsed Part, to bear it within the rapture, and if it be in a place, where the Womb may wholly press out, the Woman then, if She know her self with Child, had best keep Bed, to hinder that the rapture enlarge not through her waxing bigness, as it will else almost daily.   

CHAP. XIV. Of Inflammation of Newlighter Womens Breasts.  
THey very readily then harden, become painful and inflame, or swell with redness, and beating( in which it differs from Curdling of the Milk) from a copious rush and repletion of Milk, of Blood also and other Humours, so vehemently moved and heated in the Labour, attracted or transmitted thither: Which being easily imbibed, and diffused throughout their spongy and Glandulous Substance, thus painfully distends the Same: And remaining therein unemptied, Heats, Corrupts, turns Acrimonious, and threatens Suppuration and fever; yea with Fury also and frenzy, while carried thither suddenly, and in too great abundance: Especially in a full Body, after tedious sore Labour, and where the Cleansings go not so right. The same may happen from access of a could sharp Air, the touch or Application of any could Thing, from Blows also, or any outward hurt or bruise thereof: Some get great Pain and Inflammation, or a kind of Rose, in their Breasts, which sometimes suppurates, in that aguish Distemper they call Widow Nonfall, very incident to Child-bed Women, from the least error or neglect in their diet or Tending; coming first with Shiverings, and followed with a great burning fever, in the heat of which if they uncover themselves, or cast out their Arms never so little, the Fit renews: This trouble continues sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, is whiles sorer, whiles more easy: And here diaphoretics are proper, if timely administered, and while the Shiverings fall on. ointment of Althaea is used to the Breasts, or Diachylon plaster with Sucking. In a Light Rose, Cream of Milk with Cha●lk or Elder Water.  
If the Breasts be in danger to Inflame, let the Woman Bleed in the Arm, after in the Foot: Use glisters more frequently, and what else may move the Humors downward, in case the Cleansings come not freely, an ample Evacuation whereof, is a great Mean to prevent it: Using the while a thin spare diet, cooling also and moistening. The topics must be Cooling, Anodin, and gently repellent, while the Inflammation is less, yet without great Astr●ction: So in the beginning, One may chafe well into them oil of Roses, with shap Vinegar beat together, and after lay thereto, some of Galens cooling ointment, with a little of Poplar: Or a Cataplasm made of the day, which settles in the bottom of a Cutlers Grind-stone, mixed with oil of Roses, and a little Vinegar, and laid on lukewarm: This is thought to alloy the Pain, compesce the Inflammation, and quickly repel the Milk: In the Increase, a Fomentation of Butter and Ale is held good. If there be great Pain, a Pultife of Boiled Chamemel, meadows and Hemlock: Or of Althaea roots, and Henbane leaves( in Winter the Roots hereof roasted in Embers, and made in a Pultis with Hogs Lard) boiled, pulped and reboiled in sweet Milk, adding still some oil of Roses: Or a Pultis of fine grated white Bread, boiled in sweet Milk, adding Yolks of Eggs, some Saffron, Butter also, or oil of Roses and Chamemel: And above these Compresses dipped in Plantain or Rose Water, with Vinegar. Every external Cause must withall be avoided, as well Fortuitous, as what may come from the six Non-natural things; lest the Evil else augment, or at lest elude the force of Medicaments. The Breasts must be kept slacken, and very easy, not suffered to hang, for which She best ly in Bed on her Back, and stir her Arms as little as can.  
The Pain being allayed, the humour restrained, and turned off, the Height of the Inflammation past, no fear of any further Fluxion to be made, or of Suppuration, the Breasts may be sucked, if Milk abound therein, and the Woman to be a Nurse: Or then Discussives may be used, to resolve, dissipate and consume the same; such already mentioned in the 4th. Chap. of this Book. She may after purge when convenient. Yet if nothing can hinder the Suppuration, but that it manifestly advances, things then Emollient and ripening must be added, to hasten and bring it on.   

CHAP. XV. Of the Curdling and Clodding of the Milk.  
THis happens through its redundancy in the Breasts, where remaining too long, it heats, thickens( its Serous parts being resolved) goes together into a kind of Cheese and spongeous Density, stagnating in the whole Breast, or in some of its Glandules; which hence painfully swell, rise rugged and uneven, distinct and separated, being thus filled therewith. It is held to proceed also from Viscosity of the Milk, from could, from any Acid whencesoever, be it a Curdling Humour or juice, Grief or great Terror of mind: From any Acid Application also, could or sharp Air piercing the Breasts when sweeting: which according to the Degrees of its too great Acidity, Sharpness and Austerity, procures various Coagulations thereof. And sometimes the Humors in the Breasts are found to become Schirrous, hard as a ston, which afterwards have changed the Substance thereof, into a Cancer: Whence they oft turn into a hard firm Gristle. Milk is known to Curdle, while the Paps being distent therewith, yet none or very little flows out: Beside, that the swelling Breast grows more white: A Weight also is perceived in it, and all about, hath great Pain also: There may come a fever beside, and Pain of the Head.  
In this Case, the Curdling must be removed, the Breasts drawn empty, if the Womaen be a Nurse: Who must now also abstain what ever breeds much Blood and Milk, or hastens it to the Breasts, to prevent its too great increase therein: And must use a small diet, keep an open Belly, and be sure to Cleanse duly, if it happen then: her lower Parts may be exercised, rubbed and tied. If the Woman give not Suck, her Breasts must not be drawn, but She is to Bleed in the Arm, if the Milk exuberates through the sole Plethory of the whole Body, in the Foot also, have Cupping-Glasses to each groin, or the Share: Use strong glisters: Yea purge if necessar: And take also what extinguishes the Milk. Let the topics be first repellent, then after such as may incide, attenuate, resolve and dissipate the Matter insensibly, as Smallag, Fennel, Wormwood, Rue, Mint, Cumin, Coriander, and other powerfully discussing aromatics: Chervil also, Solomons Seal, and the rest boiled in white Wine, or Oxycrat, and oft applied, Some use a sponge dipped in the Decoction of Cumin and Corriander with Vinegar. Some a Bag of Rice, Millet and Oats. Some a Cataplasm of Hemlock and Mint:( yet nothing of a malignant quality should be applied) These also mentioned in the 4t. chap. and the rest: Yet sometimes the Curdling for all this still abides, and the Milk by its long stay there corrupts, becomes Acrimonious and turns to Matter and Abcess.   

CHAP. XVI. Of apostemes of the Breasts.  
IF nothing can hinder a Suppuration( and most rarely the Matter is dissipated insensibly) but that it manifestly advances, as appears by the great pain, strong beating in one Part, with a Livid hardness, pointing soft in the middle of the tumour, then Emollient and ripening Applications must be hastened, that the Suppuration or Generation of Matter may be promoved without great Pain, chiefly Cataplasms of Althaea roots, roots of lilies, roasted Onions, tops of both meadows, Boars-Breach, Wood Sorrel, Flowers of Chamemel, of Melilot, Meal of Wheat, of Linseed, Faenogreek, Yolks of Eggs, Figs, Saffron and the like; with oil of lilies, Chamemel, ointment of Althaea, Basilicon( a little whereof may be applied alone about the Place of Suppuration) Butter, Marrow, Fat or Grease, plaster of Diachylon, of Mucilages compound, and the rest: to be applied and continued, till a perfect Suppuration, or Ripness: Which is known by the whiteness, softness, fluctuation of the Matter( unless it be very gross) a pointing of the tumour, and abating of the fever, Pain, Tension, Hardness and the other Symptoms. It must then be opened in time for seldom a deeper rooted Apostem breaks of itself, and not but in a longer Space) for ease of the Pain, and less hurt to the Place; Else the Matter turning more sharp by its stay, Communicates to the Kernels and milk Vessels, and corrodes the same. It must however be fully ripe, because of too much Pain. The Apertion is made with a grain of potential Cauter, or rather a Lancet, thrust into the very Heart of the Matter, which presently and certainly brings the same, neither leaves such an ugly Scar: And must be made in a declive Place of the rising Part: The Section must be most quickly with the least Pain and hurt, Chiefly careful of hurting the Veins and Arteries, the principal of which are towards the Arm-pitts, The Nerves, or Fibres of the Muscles.  
The Apertion must be large enough for Evacuation of any Clods of Matter, which yet must not be let out too plentifully, or at once, if it be a big Abscess, for fear of fainting, swooning, whiles Death itself, in the more feeble, delicate, fearful.  
If the Woman will not admit to open it either ways, that the Matter may then be drawn to the Surface, and the Corroded Skin sooner perforated thereby, Some apply fine Honey, Rye Leaven, and the Yolk of an Egg boiled to a plaster: Some also lay figs, beat into a Cataplasm, to the softest and most rising part, to facilitate and promove its Apertion, Diachylon plaster breaks an Abscess. The Matter however being vented, the Wound must be wiped clean, and get soft easy Tents, armed with Basilicon, lineament, balsam of Sulphur, or of Peru: Or yet Turpentine with the Yolk of an Egg( May Butter may be added) as a Digestive, if there be great Pain, or any thing yet to suppurate. The Tents must not be thrust in too far: Let a Thread also be tied about the 1st, if requisite, the better to pull it back: Detersives also, and Mundifiers are to be used, as Honey of Roses, the Apostles ointment, Tincture of Myrrh, Aloes, Incense: Such Applications beside must see continued, as mollify any remaining hardness.  
Oftimes several Kernels Aposthumates, and the Breast yields Matter in divers Places, yet then it suffices to make one or 2 large Orifices only, in the most declive part of the Breast, for emptying and drying up all the rest; the whole Matter therein seeking quickly thither. Then the most speedy and sure way, after the Matter is drawn off, to heal these Imposthumes, dry up and close the Ulcers, and their Fistulous Orifices is to put the Milk from both Breasts, the sound as well as the sore. The Woman this while must keep an open Belly, purge now and then, use also a very slender diet.   

CHAP. XVII. Of Excoriations and loss of the Nipples.  
THe Excoriations, Exulcerations and Fissures of the Nipples, which Nurses very oft get, especially the 1st. time, cause horrid, sharp, and intolerable Pains, whiles Infants Suck, for else they have little or none, and that by reason of the most tender Skin, and exquisite Sense of the Part, from a Concourse of Nerves, Arteries and Veins thereon: And becomes yet sorer, the harder Milkt they be, as in the 1st. Child, the Milk Conduits not being patent enough, but obstructed or otherwise straightened. They arise from Childrens sharp and more greedy Sucking, when very dry and hungry, and where they get not Milk soon and easily: whence they do bite and mump the Nipple so fiercely, whether with sharp Fore-teeth, or yet Gu●●s, as they make these chaps and Excoriations, Which are thus so increased in continual Sucking, as they become raw: And some are in end quiter taken away from the Breasts, an Ulcer sometimes arising, hard to be Cured. They may happen also from a Thrush in the Infants Mouth: Or yet when it hath the Pox, whence the Breast it Sucks is soon thus infected and spoiled.  
As soon as ever the Nipples turns sore, or any way painful, the Nurse best forbear to have them sucked, till they be made whole and sound: The Milk for some while must be kept back from the Breasts: Yet if the one Nipple be whole, She may give Suck with that. For Cure, of these Excoriations and Fissures, they apply Honey of Roses, Rags wet in alum, Lime, or Plantain water: Or in Vinegar boiled with Litharg, Pomat also, Diapompholigos, or Cream, with Chaulk Starch Flower of Brimstone, washed Tutty, or Calaminar ston: plaster of Ceruss, of Chaulk: A gut of oil of Wax, of Myrrh, or Eggs, may now and then be droped or rubbed thereon: Natural balsam also for Exulcerations, balsam of Sulphur Anisat, Lime water, wherein Mercurius Dulcis is boiled: Yet while the Child Sucks, let nothing be used may disgust it: And the better to secure them from hurt, let her put thereon, little hole Caps, like hats, of pure Wax, Wood, or yet of led, for this by itself is a Remedy to the Ulcers. If the Nipples be taken off. She cannot then give any more Suck, and so the Milk must be quiter dried away, till perfectly Cured: Yet after, if She will, the Roots of her old Nipples may be unstop'd, and formed out into new Ones, if these be not the nearer taken off; by Sucking them with the Mouth, or a breast Glass, and putting upon them( for a better Shape, and to hinder their sinking in again) the little Caps abovementioned; Then, being raised and formed new nipples, she may try to give Suck again, So far briefly of the right Government of Child-bed Women, of their principal Indispositions also, with the most pleasant, easy, innocent Cures. For the Whites, which are very grievous to many such, they are mentioned in the 1st Book, as is the Swelling of their Legs and Thighs, which arising mostly from the Burden of a big Belly, must now vanish when lighter, through ease, warmth and good Guiding. And the Anti-hystericks appointed for hard Labour, or suppressed Cleansings, take Place in Hysterick Passions, or Suffocations of the Womb, then very usual. Now follows   

CHAP. XVIII. Of the fevers of Child-Bed-Women.  
THe continual putrid fevers superveens mostly, and arises either from a Suppression, or Diminution of the Courses, their Corruption and Virulent Malignity: Or if it happen while these flow right, it then proceeds from store of bad Humors, cumulated in the Body the time of Pregnancy; which being furiously agitated, in the fervour, and vehemency of a sore and tedious Labour, easily inflames and rages beyond all bounds constituting these fevers: Which may also happen to the● from errors in their diet and Tending, chiefly while cramed with Meats, unfit both in Quality and Quantity, or while they rashly expose themselves to the Air and gets could, especially when sweeting in the Hight of the fever of Milk. It proceeds also oft enough, while the 2 din. comes not wholly away, but some Part, especially of the Womb Liver, is left annexed to the Womb, which putrefies, whence the Cleansings are Greenish, Faetid, and Cadaverous: And unless it be quickly loosed and got away, the Woman is put in great peril of Life: noisome vapours flying up to the Head, Heart, and Stomach. In Some also, the Orifice of the Womb so straightens and closes instantly after Labour, that the Blood is detained, Clots and putrefies therein: Whence these fevers, with divers other most horrible Symptoms, of which( if it can no way be got out) they soon die. Yet usually while such Clotts, or other Praeternatural Thing remain in the Cavity of the Womb, the neck thereof is soft, lax and patent: Neither does the inner Orifice close, nor the Womb settle and draw back, as where all goes right after Labour.  
fevers of Child-Bed are most dangerous, both for that the Strength is broken by the Labour, and through Suppression of the Cleansings, there is a greater redundancy of most vile putrid Humors in the Veins and Mass of Blood, which must exagitate the same to an acute feverish malignant Ebullition. It helps also the prognostic of these fevers, and foresight of the Crisis especially, that a due computation be made of the Beginning, or number of the Dayes thereof: As to which, if there hath be●n a natural Labour, with no grievous Symptoms, the Cleansings also go right after, a subsequent fever whence soever, must compute from its Beginning: But if the Labour hath been hard and praeternatural, the fever tho arising 3 or 4 dayes after, must count from the day of Labour, the Crasis of all, being from that everted, the economy, or Functions of the whole Body marred, or in ill order. As the fevers of Child-bed Women, hath no peculiar Essence or diagnostic, so there is little or no difference or difficulty of Cure in their Case; except as to Bleeding and Purging: And for Bleeding in the Arm, there is great difficulty, because of the quiter opposite Indications; the fever greatly requiring it in the usual Method, the Child-bed State flatly forbidding it, for mar of the Cleansings.  
However as to Bleeding, their fevers come either in the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of Child-bed: and accordingly the Cleansings either still flow naturally, and in that abundance they ought for the time, so that the Woman purges sufficiently, and then there must be no other Bleeding, while Nature thus bleeds Her so right and largely: Or the Cleansings, happens now to be suppressed or diminished, and then her lower Veins are to be opened, and bleed copiously, that so they may be provoked, and the weal-public matter also diminished: And the same Veins are also to be opened, even tho She should be Cleansed sufficiently, if the Disease increase, so as the natural Evacuation should not suffice, and so much Blood taken, as by both Evacuations the present Exigency may be supplied: But if the fever turn ardent, vehement, or exceeding intense, her upper Veins must be forthwith opened( as also in a Peripneumony, Pleurisy, Quinsy, or other particular acute Disease, which puts her in eminent peril of Life, and yields not to other Remedies) and no fear that thus the Blood may be drawn back from the Womb, seeing then the upper Parts so abound therewith, that albeit much be drawn, yet the Veins are not so emptied, as that they must attract new Blood from thence: Tho for the more security, or conservation of her Cleansings, it is good before it be done, to rub the Thighs, and after make painful Ligatures in the middle thereof, not to be loosed till a little after the Bleeding: And now and then also to apply Cupping-Glasses to the same Parts, or at least repeat the Frictions. Yet if the Disease and its Vehemency do not so press, and urge, and the Cleansings withall be copious, it is to be performed with the greater premeditation, or rather quiter for born, while Nature thus keeps right, and especially the nearer the Delivery, for the more remote, the more safely it may be done.  
As to Purgation, it must not come while the Cleansings flow naturally: Though if they stop, so as the Woman purge either nothing at all, or insufficiently, and all fit remedies for provoking thereof are Essayed in vain, And if the Morbisick Matter appear digested, after 8 10 or 12 dayes from the Labour She may be purged, but with a more gentle Medicine only, and according to the greater or lesser exigency of the Disease and her strength. If also the Flux come whitesh, or of other unnatural Colour, the Matter withall be ripe, She may safely purge in the last period of Child-bed: And in general, this is here to be observed, that the farther removed from the day of Delivery She be, the more safely She may purge, the the nearer the more peril, as in the 2d. 3d. or 4t. day: Hence a looseness then is usually Mortal.   

CHAP. XIX. Of Right Ordering and Dressing New-born Infants.  
HAving already taught their safe production into the World, no less Skill and Industry is still requisite to their Preservation: Being of themselves now, and long time after, Silly, Infirm, and so Pitifully Impotent, as without the aid and succour of Others they must instantly perish: So who helps now is a God to him in the Metaphor of the Proverb. And here first of ordering the Navel-String.  
As soon as the Infant is born, and the After-birth( for this must be excluded also, ere the String be cut, unless it stick too long) and the Birth closed up, let them be brought together before the Fire( the Infant being put in a warm Bed and Blanket) and the String then tied, with a strong gross Thread, softly twisted 3 or 4 fold, about a Foot or Quarier long, having a Knot on each end, and got ready before, with a pair of sharp soldiers, or Razor. The tie may be applied an Inch 2 or 3.( that is no matter) from the Belly, and requires no greater length in Males then Females, as say Some, who will give these a larger Measure, that the Yard may hence become greater: But a less Portion, or cut nearer the Belly in the Other, that the Womb may be seated higher, and its Neck made straighter: Tho yet there is no consent of the Yard or Womb with the Navel: Nor were this any favour done to Women.  
Let 2 or 3 firm tyings be made about the String, with a double Knot each turn, to make sure no Blood flow out, whence some Infants have been lost: Yet must not be made so straight as to cut it through.  
The tie being expede, the String is to be cut off, 2 or 3 Inches without the same, towards the Burden( the end thereof say Some, must not touch the Ground, else the Child will never hold its Water) then let the cutting which remains at the Navel, be wrapped up in a small Rag, dry, or yet dipped in oil of Roses, or Almonds, and turned upwards above the Navel( that the Blood may not so readily flow out) and laid upon a Compress, that thus it touch not the naked Belly, to cause Grips by its Coldness: With another Compress a top, and a Belly band above all, that so it be kept firm in a certain Place, and not roll too and fro, or be forced off sooner then it ought; the Vessels not being entirely closed and healed up: whence a Flux of Blood, or an Ulcer, hard to be Cured. Careful still, while the Child is opened, to see the tie bide fast and close( it readily slacking in big swollen Strings, as they whither and dry: whence also some Infants have been lost unawares, by this effusion of Blood) till the the String corrupt, or dry, die and fall away of itself with the tie, being thereby deprived of Aliment and Heat.  
The Time thereof varies, though most fall the 6th. or 7th. day, Some the 5th. and these Infants Midwives makes to be long lived: Some the 3d. and such again they prophesy short lived. Some are after the 8th. or 9th. day but very rarely. A Compress and Swath must still be kept upon the Place for some time after, till it be solidated with a firm Skin, wholly depressed, and as it were sunk inwards and formed a sound Navel. That it may be drawn together the better, and for its greater Exsiccation, Some Straw thereon the Powder of a rotten Walnut-Tree, a little Chaulk, Bole, Burnt led, Snail Shells, or apply the Powder of mastic with the White of an Egg.  
Some are in use, where the Infant is more weak, and as it were half dead, before they tie and cut the String, to drive back all the Blood therein, to its inward Parts, whereby they will have the Infant, who just now was sailing without Blood, to be instantly restored to Life, revived and made vigorous by Accession hereof: which yet being cooled by approach of the outward Air, deprived of its Spirits, clodded also and half congealed, can have no such Effect, but must do a weak Infant great hurt and danger: No such thing therefore ought to be suffered. And with as little reason, do Some give to the Child in its faintings, 3 or 4 drops of the Blood squeezed out of the Navel-String in a little breast Milk  
The Infant must next be cleansed before the Fire, from all Excrements, first that kind of oily Mucous Filth, or Clammy Humour upon its Body without, like Cream of Milk, or soft Cheese, which is said to proceed from the Slime of its Waters, or the Milky liquour it swims in: Some hold it an Excrement of the 3d. Concoction, made in the whole Habit: Others an Excrement falling from the Brain through its Mouth and Nostrils: And the same being in greatest plenty about the Head. Arm-pitts, folds of the groins, and Codds( though Some are wholly besmeared therewith) these Parts must be cleansed more exactly, and bathed with a soft Rag, or sponge tramped in Lukewarm Claret, with a 3d. part Water: Or in warm Ale: Some use Decoction of Sage and Roses in Wine; adding where it is tough, and ill to come off, a little oil of Almonds, Cream, or fresh Butter: And so be all wiped clean, and dried off. Let its Mouth be opened, and the Phlegm drawn out, the Snott also from its Nose: The Ears must be cleansed of their Filth, using small rag Tents dipped in that liquour, to unstop and clear them, as also the Nostrils. The Eye-lids are to be opened, and the Eyes made clean; yet with a soft dry linen Rag only, or then wet in lukewarm Water: For neither Wine, Butter, nor oil agrees thereto. Let them also be covered, especially careful they be kept from the Light.  
While it is thus made clean from that outward Impurity, all its Parts and Members must be diligently viewed, that there be no deformity or fault in the Figure or comformation, nor any Thing praeternatural, neither any Hurt, Dislocation, or Fracture in bearing: Whiah Things must be corrected and amended, while the Limbs and joints are soft and yielding; yet hardly can, in Case they be viciously Figured, as very oft, in the 1st comformation of the Parts in the Womb. Every Finger and to must be handled and spread open, the joints also of the Thighs and Arms extended and contracted several times a day, for so●e while, that the Excrementitious Humours abounding therein, may be thus resolved. The comformation of its Head must chiefly be headed, for being divided into many Parts, and more straitly compressed, in some 1st. and difficult Labours, through an usual bigness, or straightness of the Way( and very oft the Midwifs rude or rash Hands does much hurt then upon the tender Gristles of the Temples) there is frequently made a Protuberancy or Depression: Yea its due Mould is oft marred and spoiled, that for the right and natural Figure, round and a little long, to wit, behind and before a little protuberant, and depressed at the Sidei, it is made long and flat, or exactly spherical: But most frequently of all, an acuminated or oval Figure arises hence, the Head as it were thrust out into a Point, or sharpness upwards, being more soft above, and not as yet solidated with a firm Bone: And all such marred and hurtful Figurations, in whole, or in part, easily perverts the Frame of the most soft and Humid Brain, and more or less, according as it is made to recede from the Natural: And through misplacing of the Vessels of the Brain, even without Disruption thereof, a Fatuity may follow, yea and incurable: But seeing the Sutures, or greater Seams of the Head, are then soft and movable, and so may be easily removed and set right to their due Place, such Figures are to be corrected with the Hand, and restored to the natural, by softly compressing the Head, and making it plain and even: Which yet requires great Skill and Caution. The Canal chiefly of Urine, and the Fundament must be seen patent, which is soon known, the Urine being usually past immediately after its Birth, especially at the Heat of the Fire, and while these Parts are handled and stroked: And whiles its Ordure then also, that black Excrement called the Meconium or Papaver, or in a short time after: Tho Some for 3 dayes, discharge nothing of this Meconium, nor no Excrements of the Belly: But this is rare. If it vent not the 1st. day, it had best be provoked, least Grips arise, giving a sugared Almond, rubbed over with a little boiled Honey, for a Suppository: Or a small piece of Castile-Soap, rubbed over with fresh Butter: And by the Mouth Syrup of Roses or Violets, with new drawn oil of Almonds, or a little Manna: The Infants Belly may also be anointed with the same oil, or fresh Butter.  
This Matter found in its gross intestines, like a black Electuary, or pulp of Cassia( of other Colours also) and which it excerns from the Fundament after it is born, is made the more gross Part, or residuous Dregs of some Aliment, assumed by the Mouth, and swallowed, the more subtle piercing the Guts unto the Blood, receiving some Consistence from the stay they make in the Circumvolutions, or turns of the Guts. Some will have it redound in the Guts, from the feculent superfluous Blood only discharged thereinto by little and little: And Some make it the juice of the Sweat-bread with the Bale, falling down by little and little upon the intestines.  
It gathers and remains in the Infants Guts, keeping them distent for their future Office, and is in so small quantity( what Food it gets in the Womb being pure, and so wholly converted into its Nourishment and Growth) that nothing is voided, till after it is born, and begins to be fed( yet Some make its more liquid Excrements to increase the Waters) then plenty of new and far worse scented Encrements, are cumulated therein, by little and little, thrusts down and expels the Meconium, which is then known to be all voided, when its Stools turns from black to pale, about the 2d. or 3d. day: Lo●sing still by degrees that Tincture according as the new Excrements descends and mixe● thereto.  
The Infant is now to be laid into Sw●dling clothes, all his Parts and Members softly extended, and each laid fitly in its own Place, not crookedly or confused, with soft Rags behind the Ears, in the Arm-pits and groins, the better to suck up the Filth comes out, and keep from Scalding: And so be trimly Swathed up, beginning at the Head, the Mould or soft Part whereof, must he covered for could or outward Hurt, with a 4 or 5 plied linen Compress under its Biggin, and fast pinned thereto: Let his Arms next be wrapped up in his Bed, and straighted down close alongst the Sides, his Thighs also, Legs and Feet, equally extended, and bound down together, that they may ly more strait, and not turn crooked, or wry, grow firm also and stable, that so he may be able in time to raise himself, stand upon his Feet, and come to go upright: With a soft linen between, to hinder their Galling: Having also a Stayband pinned on each side the Blanket, to keep its Head steady: And so its whole Body being thus equally contained in the Swaths, and in a strait Figure from Top to to, due and decent for Mankind, may be thereby rightly conformed and perfited, its Bones made firm and stable. Whence Some will not have it loosed from the Swaths for 60 dayes, yet Some make the 1st. 40 dayes enough to be kept in them: But the Time is indeed uncertain, for the more feeble an Infant is, the longer time he needs be Swathed, the more robust the shorter. In Swathing the Infant, One must be sure to keep his Breast more slacken, for a free Respiration, else he may Suffocate: His Stomach also, else the Milk he sucks shall not have Place therein, and so be cast up: Neither must the Swaths be too slacken, nor yet too straight, lest its tender Members be wrested: And be sure also the Pins prick him not, whence Some have died, let Women see to the rest.  
After it is Dressed and Swathed, and before it should Suck or take any Meat, Some will have it placed at the Mothers left Side near the Heart, the 1st. time, persuading themselves that by this, the Infant will be preserved all its Life from Convulsion and Le●ry, while the Mother draws naturally from it all Diseases, and voids away again with her Cleansings, whatever Hurt she hath drawn, without any peril.  
There is yet another Excrement, a sort of tougher Phlegm sticking in his Stomach, which he is now and then puking up, for some little time after he is born: And to facilitate its Ejection( for it best be off ere he Suck) he is ordered a little sugared Wine, or Ale: Or some new drawn oil of Almonds with Sugar-Candy, or Syrup of Violets: Or a little Butter and Sugar, or Honey( though some approves not either of Butter or Honey to that purpose) and after laid a little forward, that the Phlegm may vent the freer, which else if laid on his Back, might fall on his Gullet and choke him: And this they use for one day, or more, till a Breast be got, and that he hath cast up all that Pituit. Some Women have in Custom, to make the Infant get something by the Mouth, as soon as ever it is born, whence they fancy some Diseases may be prevented: And especially Some give 1st. and before it get any thing else, a few Grains of prepared read coral in the Mothers Milk: Others some guts of the Navel Blood against their ever having Convulsions: And Some give a little powder of Bezoar.   

CHAP. XX. Of dieting and Ordering the New-born Infant.  
SOme little time being elapsed, and the most part of that Pituit got off, he may get a Breast, though not the Mothers for the 1st. 8 dayes at least( Some say not till after her Cleansing) that She be somewhat settled and Cleansed, her Milk purified: Else the Milk of the Cleansings, or of the 1st. dayes, being Foul, Turbid, Curdy, without Concoction and other due Qualities, might raise Grips, and loose the Belly( Though Some therefore hold it good as carrying off the Excrements therein) But Some will give Suck from the very 1st. day, and Some may, to wit, robust healthful Women and in easy Labours: Though yet all Women had best forbear, till they settle and Cleanse a little, the foul Milk be brought away, and the Breasts withall won easy for the Infant: And to make him take it( for Some will not in 3 or 4 dayes) let a little be milked into his Mouth, and upon his Lips, that he may taste it, and after put the Nipple drooping into it, softly squeezing out the Milk when once he is fastened, that he may have it come easily: And so be thus brought on to Suck by degrees. He must Suck little at first, and ofter, yet not too oft, but as his little Stomach can easily contain and digest, without oppression and Vomiting: Advancing daily for his Age, Strength and Appetite, till he may safely take a fill, and that Night and Day when he will: Yet still in all Moderation, for Milk is of great Nourishment, and so if given in greater plenty, then that the native Heat can well digest, or convert it into a perfect Substance of Flesh, it easily goes to fat: Whence Infants have the same Troubles, which Elder People gets through Surfeit.  
It is thought best he feed on Milk alone, in case there be plenty of it, for 2 or 3 Months at least( and many are content with Milk alone, and refuses Pap all that time) it proving sometimes very pernicious to a tender Infant, to get Pap too soon, or largely, especially if Thick and Viscous, by reason of its Indigestion, the Obstructions and Constipations it makes scarce finding passage, the great Oppressions, Stoppages and Infirmities of the Breast; Gripes, Swellings and Pains of the Belly: Yet Some Finger-fed Infants are seen to thrive as well as they who Suckle. As soon as there is need, he may get a little of Some other Nourishment also, which yet in virtue and Consistence, would not be unlike the Milk, of good easy Coction and Distribution, as Pap of new milked Milk, clear Ale, or yet Water, and Meal well dried to be less Viscid and Crud: Or rather Crumbs of white Bread gently Boiled to a moderate Consistence( though Some order the Milk raw, as being of a Cleansing Quality, easy of Digestion, and excellent to prevent all Convulsions and gripping Pains of the Stomach, attending windy Diseases in Children) adding a little Sugar, Butter, or Powder of Anis: And this to be given once a day, especially in the Morning, or twice at most: Though yet the diet must vary, for the various Nature, Habit, Temperature. After he is thus dressed and fed, he is turned in upon the Nurses Bosom, who strokes him down over his Back, to the very Toes, gives him, a little Suck, to wash down the Milk and help its Concoction, and then lays him to sleep: Yet hence are Infants Crudities cumulated daily in abundance, for that all Nurses almost, ever permits them to sleep instantly after the use of any Mea● whatsoever. He is to ly in a Cradle by Day,( by Night also till he be a little more robust, lest he be overlaid) upon his Back also, while the Bones are less solid and knit: For that being as the Keel of the Ship, the Basis and chief stay of the whole Body, he may more safely and easily ly thereon, then on either Side; else, the gristly tender Bones of the Ribs, would yield and be wrested, under the Weight of the rest of the Body, and he would become Gibbous. Though when he is elder, takes more solid Food, becomes stronger and more firm in his Bones and the Frame thereof, he may accustom by little and little, whiles to the one Side, whiles to the other. He must always receive the Light directly opposite, else he painfully bends himself, here and there every way after it, wrists his Head and Eyes, whereby they either become Squint, or twinkling, rolling and instable: But for this Experience hath taught to cover the head of the Cradle, and so keep him from the Light, as from any other hurt or injury: Yet he must not ly too warm or close from the Air: His Head must also be a little raised, and so calmly rocked: Though he best be used to sleep unrocked. He may get sleep when ever he will( and Infants use to sleep more then wake, and so much the better) nor needs it be broken or marred, unless very immoderate, turning him languid, dull and stupid.  
He must be opened and changed at a Fire, Evening and Morning, or Night and Day when ever he is folded and waking; being fit to keep him ever clean of Filth and Excrements, in dry warm clothes, and well washed also, that they may not Itch and gull him: Nor must they grow hard, rough or wrinkly about him. The String this while must yet be looked to, that it do not loose and bleed, nor be forced off e're its Vessels close. A warm Compress must ly close upon the Open of the Head, for could or outward hurt, especially where it is more large. Careful also to keep him from Sealding, and that he Cry not too much, especially in the beginning, lest the Navel be forced outwards, or dilated into an Exomphale, or that he get a rapture, or Fluxions upon his Eyes. And so to quiet him give the Breast, lay him clean and dry. rock him in the Cradle, Sing to him and the rest.  
Thus far of the diet and ordering of new born Infants in Health, for preservation of it. Now follows to treat of the principal Maladies may befall them, from their Birth till they be 7 or 8 Months old( though they are reckoned Infants till the 4th. year) in which time a great many die: And as to which we may here in general observe, that Some makes Infants Diseases very few in Kind, and to differ only in degree: Yea stands not to affirm, their whole Diseases to be of the same Kind, and produced from One and the same next and immediate Cause, an Acid to wit, or sharpening Corruption prevailing exceedingly: And so the same very Disease to get various Names, as divers Parts of the Body may be affencted, upper or lower, to wit, as the Stomach, intestines, Lungs, Head, and Nerves are chiefly stressed: And thus all the Antecedent and mediate Causes of Infants Maladies, how many soever they truly may be, or can he imagined, are enclosed at length in the foresaid Cause, to which as the true Parent, each Symptom of Infants owes its rise; proceeding far ofter from a too great Coagulation, or Incrassation of the Aliment( which is stayed upon some degree of this Acidity, or at least comes therefrom) then from other Cause. And as Infants falls most easily into Diseases, so if rightly guided, they most easily also recover: And their Cure is much more safe and easy, then of Men and Women: Which accordingly they make to be best performed by such Things as are wholly Temperate, which infringe, contemper, blunt, securely drink up and remove this predomining Acidity, solve the Coagulations, alloy the Ebullition by little and little, and without raising any new warmth, heat and stir of the Body: And so become potentially Anodin and safe, yea Soporiferous: Yet must be both given and repeated in a Dose requisite to attain the end. Such chiefly are Crabs Eyes and Claws, Shells of Oysters, of Shell-fish, Bone of the Cuttle-fish, Chaulk, coral, Corralin, pearl, Mother of Pearl, both Bezoar ston, burnt Harts-Horn, burnt Ivory, the bone of a Stags Heart, rasped Harts or Unicorns Horn, Bole Armen, Sealed Earth, Bloodstone, gascons Powder, Species of the Confection of Hyacinth and the like, most simplo Medicaments, receding little from their natural State: So that the Acid being thus first rightly prepared, or wholly broken and deprived of its Sting, and quiter allayed, may then be purged off, with due or most gentle Catha●ticks, among all which, Rheubarb is held far the best, and most accommodated to Infants, whether afflicted with Feave●, or otherwise. And for These of a more Laborious Preparation, as Volatile-Salts, Oylous and Spirituous, Bezoar Mineral, Solar, Lunar, Spirit of Salt-Armoniack, of Harts-Horn, tho excellent for sheathing the Acid, yet are refused for their Heat: And therefore also the Lixivial Salts, the hotter and more strong Cordial Waters, which must not be used, save in the smallest quantity, that they may be so weakened with others more Temperate, as their warming force may scarce be sensible to the Taste. But now of their principal Diseases in particular.   

CHAP. XXI. Of Infants Weakness when Born.  
THis happens partly by Nature, but mostly by stress of a sore long Pravail( especially a feeble Child, a bad Posture and a perplexed Passage) whence Some are so discomfited, that when born, it is hard to know whether they be dead or alive, no Part of the Body being perceived to stir, which is sometimes so pressed and contused, made so blew and livid, especially the Face, as they appear quiter choked: Who yet many times revive and recover, by little and little, after several Hours in that Condition, are brought back from the very Confines of Death and the Grave, even when taken for Dead. Life likely yet remains in the Infant, if the Mother felt it stir strongly a little before Delivery, if She had not very sore or long Labour, or a more violent Delivery, much flooding, fainting, or other grievous Symptom: And he is surely alive, however weak, if his Heart be felt stirring, or the Navel String, especially when touched near the Belly: And then must all Means be used for his recovery from that Weakness, who therefore must be put warm, his Mouth kept a little open, and his Face uncovered; upon which the Midwife may spout sharply, and more near, a little odiferous Wine, or Mallag● with some Cordial Powder, as oft as there is Occasion, may foment the Navel therewith, and lay warm to his Breast and Belly, Compresses wet therein: Or yet some other Cordial Epithem. Small Tents also may be dipped in this Wine, and put up his Nostrils: Let every Part of his Body be well chafed with warm clothes, to bring back the Blood and Spirits to the Circuits thereof, if there be Suffocation, or overcharge of the Ventricles of the Heart, through their vehement reflux thereto. Some order him to be put in a Laver of Mallago and Water, and washed by little and little. Some smite his Hips and Soles. Some hold a slice of U●●on to his Nose, or put it into his Mouth. Some again put the Burden into the Fire, e're it be separated: And Some among warm Wine, but these do little good. Some also apply it very warm upon his Belly, as Others drive inward all the Blood in the String, and these may also thus do him great hurt.  
Infants born weak, are sometimes so by Nature, as coming before the time, and the longer before the worse: Or being begotten of sickly infirm Parents, as also if the Mother while with Child, should suffer various Symptoms and be brought very low: And such take very careful tending, yet hardly brought any length, being soon foiled by the least Indisposition takes them.   

CHAP. XXII. Of Contusions and Hurts of the Head and other Parts.  
THe tender little Bodies of Infants, are easily hurt and bruised in bearing, yea their soft gristly Bones broken and dislocated, while long pressed, or violently handled and twisted, in a hard Labour, or a wrong Posture: But the most frequent Hurts, are bruised tumours, Knobs, or Prominences, manifestly appear oftimes upon their Crowns, the Front also, and other Parts, mostly in 1st Labours, Elder Woman, a more big firm Head, and straighter Pass: So that the inner Orifice being more straight, firm or Callous, or the Bones ill to part, the Infants Head is so straitly therewith begird, as it were a circled( chiefly its upper Part, which enters first, and especially while it yet sticks dry in the Straits of the Orifice, after the Waters are spent, and the Pains wax stronger) that the Blood and Humours being stopped in their progresive Motion, and kept stagnating in the Place, are extravasated, or pressed out into the voided Parts, and thus fill and distend the same: Where staying too long, the Spirits therein are suffocated, whence they can never again move, or return to circulate, but must be discussed and resolved, or brought to Suppuration. Midwifes also may contribute hereto, putting on their hands too oft, or too roughly, while thus it sticks in the Passage. Some rise so big and high as they may feel to be a Buttock, Shoulder, or Knee: Yet are distinguished by their greater hardness and distension, by the Hair also thereon, but better if a Finger can be got over it, to feel the Bones or Parts of the Head within the Orifice which swell not.  
To prevent these tumours, the Orifice must be well mollified, for its better dilatation, a more easy and speedy Passage to the Head. To resolve the same( for that is best, while so it makes not another Disease to the Infant, Suppuration and Incision being dangerous so near the Brain, and for an Afflux of Humors, Inflammation, Convulsion) they may be fomented, twice or thrice a day, with Lukewarm Wine, or Spirit of Wine: Or equal Parts of this and oil of St. Johns Wort, and have Compresses applied wet therein. The plaster of Dates may also be applied, with oil of Roses. If these tumours suppurate, the Matter must be timely let out with a Lancet, lest( being of its own Nature acid, and rendered more acrimonious by its stay, it Corrode the Vessels, or Parts about, alter or foul the Bone) the Ulcer must be cured, keeping thereat the plaster of Betony. When a Leg, Arm, or any other Part, is contused and swelled, while long pressed in the Passage, and in a Posture hard constrained, or being come forth, it may be fomented and wrapped up, with Compresses, wet in a Decoction of Wine, with flowers of Roses, Chamemel. Melilot, Elder and the like, which is proper also for any swelling of the Infants Codds, whether by hurt in bearing, or with Water or Wind contained in their Membranes. If there be Fracture or dislocation, the Bones must be rightly adapted and conjoined, and securely kept in their natural Place and Figure, with Bolsters or Splinters, till they be well closed and fortified.   

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Mould and Sutures of the Head being too open.  
WEakly Infants, and such who come before the time, these also Corpulent and Fat, abounding with Potuit, have the Fountain or Mould of the Head very open and large a long time, soft and begging, the Bones so far distant, as they are almost without support, yielding to each side, some the breadth of a Finger: And such are most subject to the Rickets, Chin-Cough, bad Thrushes, and at length to Scrofula's.  
These Heads must not then be prest close together, nor bound straight, else the Frame of the Brain may be too much perverted, and its Motion marred, with out which One cannot live: But be easily upheld, and made somewhat steady, with a little Crosscloath softly tied about; keeping also a warm Compress of Wool, Scarlet, or a Plaster upon the Open, while by degrees with the Age, it straighten, grow together and close: Or that soft Membrane, dry and solidate into a bony hardness: Tho' Some will have it still a Membrane, and that the Bones themselves grow out under its borders by little and little, till at length they go together and fill up that Gap. These Bones unite, and the Head closes sooner or later, as the Infant is more or less strong, or abounds with more or less Humidity: and not till after 9 or 10 Months, mostly when they begin to speak, or about the end of 2 years: Some are 3. yea and not seldom to the 4t. or 5t. Some even to the 8t. or 10th Though that softness most rarely remains in elder Persons, yet found in Some even to old Age. Yet Some will have this Membranous soft Cover, or Gap to be ever solidated when Children begin to speak distinctly.  
The Fountain or Mould of the Head is last hardened and closed, at the joining to wit of the Sagital Suture in the middle of the Coronal, which passing, it ever divides in two( as also the Bone of the Front, of which the Gap of the Fountain is constituted, rather then of that of the Forehead) and runs out to the Root of the Nose: And found very oft to stretch back also, to the beginning of the Spinal Marrow, through the middle of the Hind-Head, dividing the same likewise. Some have the Sutures kept wide open, and the Bones far distant, in an Hydrocephale, or Dropsy of the Head, from extravasated Water, or Serum of the Blood, though this more rare: And is of different Sorts more or less dangerous, as it is intern or extern, or as the Matter is collected nearer, or further from, or in the Brain. The blame hereof is frequently laid to Midwifes ignorance, in handling or pressing the Head too rudely in the Labour: Or the Nurse in wringing it exceedingly, or busking it too straight, whereby the Commissures are rent and misplaced, the little Conduits and lymphatic Vessels chiefly, are somewhat wrested, and gets a non-natural Situation; whence the Motion of the Humors is impeded and a little sisted, and so the Humidity expressed and collected within the Skull, recoiling upon the Ventricles, Membranes and Bones: Great prudence therefore, is requisite and circumspection in handling the same. Yet is generated sometimes and collected in the Womb. It is a Malady most familiar, and almost proper to Infants, yet rarely Cures for that they cannot suffer the Hydragogues and more valid Discussives: Yea is quiter desperate, when the Waters are in great abundance among the Membranes under the Skull, or while the lymphatic Vessels within the Head are obstructed and split, and the humour effused upon the Brain, its Circuits, Wondings and Cavity.  
For Cure, the Head is to be gently swathed and kept warm, the Infants Crying, Cough, Sneezing evited, the Excretion of Snot promoted, all warm Cephalicks also are used, aromatics and others, which may incide, attenuate, open, dry and evacuate the extravasated Matter: In Fomentations, Spirituous Tinctures, lineaments, Cataplasms, plasters: The Nurse beside must keep a a convenient diet; and if these in some time avail not, Cauters are applied to the Hinder-head, or Neck, to the protuberant Part, or Sutures of the Head, yet without piercing the Bone: And may profit, if the Matter be without the Skull, Yet are dangerous, the soft Brain being near: Cupping-Glasses also are ordered, as is Incision, safest of all; and that either by a simplo Line, across or otherwise, that the Water may be evacuated, which yet must not come all, or too much at once, but by little and little: Careful the could Air hurt not the Brain: Though these Operations hath readily bad success, Convulsions and fevers arising.   

CHAP. XXIV. Of the Closed Fundament.  
SOme of both Sex, are born( though truly rare) having the Fundament imperforated, or quiter closed: Yea even Solid. And Some have had the gut twice grown together by the Sides, twice also intercepted with a double Orbicular Membrane: And must therefore be speedily opened, else they die. The Apertion is difficil and dangerous, lest while the Fundament is perforated, the Sphincter should be hurt, or that it grow together again, and so all labour be lost. One must here diligently heed, whether the Fundament may be opened, without wronging the Sphincter: Because if haply the whole Muscle be grown together, and the Cavity of the gut entirely closed, yet Nature hath formed another Way for the Excrements of the Belly, to the Privities in the girl, who voids them there-through, to the Bladder in the Boy, who voids them by the Urine in plenty enough, Incision is not to be tried: yet Some are found, who can excern nothing either Way, and such be sure cannot live unopened.  
Where the End of the gut is covered with a single Membrane, or Skin grown over, the Operation is more secure, the right Place for Incision being manifest, by the livid Impression of the Excrements with a Softness; and if the Membrane be tender and fine, it may be pierced with the Finger, if thick and robust, it must be opened with a Knife( some say a caustic) the Place being most diligently marked. Some order the Incision simplo or length ways, Others across, and Some round, not being so ready to grow together again. If the Excrements be hardened and vent not by the Apertion, a little Emollient glister may be given. The Incision must be kept open, with a little Tent of linen, sponge or led; to be armed at first with Honey of Roses, and toward the end with some drying astringent Medicine, which brings a Cicatrice, and absolves the Cure. Careful this while to clean the little tender Wound of the Infants Excrements as soon, and as oft, as ever he renders them, and dress it again. Sometimes a sort of thick Flesh grows up into the Fundament, so that the end of the gut can be no way perceived, and then the Incision is very difficil, and hath great hazard; yet must be performed( being Death however) to wit, by entering a little Knife of one Edge, and with the Back turned up, into the voided Place, within half an Inch of the Rump, against the End of the gut, thrusting it so forward, as to make Open enough for free vent to the Matter: Very careful of the Sphincter, dressing the Wound as above directed, and with regard to the ensuing Accidents. If the Urinary Pass be stopped, either in Male by Coalescence of the Prepuce. or closure of the Hole of the nut: Or in Female, by Coalescence or closure of the Vulva, Apertion must in like manner be made, for the rent to the Urine.   

CHAP. XXV. Of Cutting the Tongue when tied.  
THe great Creator, hath provided to the Tongue( beside other ties) a Membranous valid Ligament in its middle beneath, for Strength, Stability and insertion of its Muscles, And whereby it is fastened to the under Parts, lest it should be moved every way more then is meet: Nature hereby showing what moderation is to be had in the use of it: The String is only the lax end or extremity of this Ligament, which must leave the Tongue so free at Tip and both Sides, as to be rightly turned and moved to all differences of Motion, or every way at pleasure. Yet this is very oft too short, and extended almost to the end of the Tongue, in a small Membranous Production, whiles also alongst both Sides, thus fettering the same so wholly, as to mar its free and convenient Motion: And so makes frequently a necessity of cutting it, lest it should be an Impediment of the Childs sucking and future Speech: Yet scarce One of 100s needs this Operation, except it manifestly hinder the putting out of its Tongue and Sucking: But many think the Speech would not be perfect without it, and Some would have it forborn till the time of speaking.  
This Section though easy, and Midwifes usually do it( yea Some with their Nails, a pernicious Custom) yet needs a skilful Hand, and a clear view of the Part, for avoiding the adjoining Parts, the Branches of Veins, the Nerves beneath, upon pricking of which a sudden Convulsion of the Tongue uses to superveen: Yea the Salival Ducts, which lying so near the String, are most easily hurt by deep Cutting, whence a continual Salivation. Some have been immediately choked with Blood: and whiles there arises Inflammation with Pain, which hinders the Sucking whence Death.  
To cut the Tongue right, which must be done with a Bistery, or broad pointed sharp soldiers, let it be heaved strait up, with a Finger on each side of the String, or rather with the Branches of a small Fork blunt at the Points, then cutting dexterously across so much thereof as is necessar: And to prevent its growing together again, let a clean Finger, dry, or wet in Honey of Roses, be past between 3 or 4 times a day, yet very foftly, lest the little Wound be fretted into Inflammation or Ulcer.   

CHAP. XXVI. Of Pains and Grips of the Belly.  
THey are very oft the 1st. and a most common affliction to new born Babes: So very atrocious and incessant in Some, that they cry, toss and wake perpetually till they die: And oftimes kindles a most acute fever, which being less skilfully guided, bereaves most Infants of their Lives. They are said to proceed in general and for the most part, from the sudden change of its State: In particular( though the Cause is oftimes hide) from some pricking Matter in the Gut●s, be it the Excrements new or old, or some acid humour or juice, corroding and shearing the same( for Acidity exerts it force chiefly in the 1st▪ ways of all) or then a Flatuosity or Wind distending them. A foul or more gross Milk gives rise thereto, as does also an overcharge or oppression of Milk, or Pap, if Viscuous and Flatulent: whence Obstructions, Indigestions, Crudity, Corruptions, Grips, and many other Evils, especially while they get both together. could likewise, chiefly of the Evening: And s●metimes Worms, though they hardly breed before the use of more solid, or milk Meats. Sometimes there is a looseness therewith, green, yellow, or other Colour: And some- also the Epilepsy or Convulsion fits.  
The Grips epidemic to Infants, grow every year so frequent, from the middle of July, to the middle of September, that more small ones die in one Month that time, then in 3 or 4 other Months more temperate: for that the yearly Heat of the Season, uses to exhaust their strength quiter.  
The Cure must chiefly tend to Correct, Temper and blunt the excruciant Matter, that it may then be evacuated, solve the Coagulation, remove the Obstruction, discuss and expel the Flatuosity( a most frequent Cause thereof) and the rest: Which are held best performed by the Testaceous Bodies above mentioned, in full and frequent Dose, and Reubarb▪ oil of Almonds is held good with Sugar Penid: As is Syrup of Anisceds: Some guts also of the oil, with Sugar and Milk in the Morning: The Powder thereof likewise, with Powder of Saffron, Florence-orris and paeony Roots some Dayes together. One may rub also upon the Belly and Navel, or apply with greasy Wool, oil of Almonds, of Orris-roots, Chamemel, Walnuts, Dill, Caraweys, Cumin, Fennel, Nutmeg, Bricks, ointment of Althaea, or other aromatic warming Anodin and discutient Applications. Careful withal, the Infant be kept from could, and be fed sparing this while: getting nothing Viscous or Flatulent: let his Belly also be kept open. Some make the Nurse use Spices, Anis, Fennel, or Carrawe● Seeds, or their oil in all She Eats or Drinks. A plaster is laid to the Navel for Worms, of Aloes, Centaury, Savin, Chamemel Flowers, with Burgundy Pitch and Turpentine: To which sometimes a little Colocinth may be added. And if the Grips increase, an Antidote or Cordial is used, which must be rightly accommodated to the Infant State, the Cause of the Disease and its Symptoms.   

CHAP. XXVII. Of the inflammation, Ulceration, shooting forth, and rapture of the Navel.  
SOme Infants are so cruelly tossed with these Grips in the beginning▪ and keep so incessant in fierce cries, that the String is forced off ere the Navel close, or be entirely cicatriced and sound: whereupon happens Inflammation and Ulcer. And this way also( as by the force of a most grievous Cough and violent agitation of the Breast and Belly) comes the Exomphale, or shooting forth of the Navel, which in Some is hugely dilated and thrust outward, the bigness of an Egg, even when outwardly healed, the Blood being thus driven back into the remaining end of the Vein, which it oftimes opens by its acrimony, and makes this Dilatation of the Navel; And corrupting therein by its stay, must needs cause an Inflammation: The tied Part also coming now to fall off, before it was perfectly healed, there remains a very bad Ulcer: Hence sometimes great bleeding ensues, the Navel being broken within, and perhaps Death. Some will have it to be thus Inflamed and Ulcerated, from the ill Tying and Cutting( appearing thus soon after) as too hard, or too near: Or when a larger part is left than ought: Others for that the serous humour or Urin hath flowed thither. Sometimes it stands our like the Yard, which Some judge to be the intestine broken out there, Some the cawl, Some a serous humour, Some Wind: And Some to be Flesh grown up, which hath been made to fall away, being deadened with a Ty drawn every day straighter. And tho the Navel be common to all as a beauty, placed in the middle of the Belly, yea of the whole Body; yet when thus it stands out further than it ought, it is monstrous and ugly.  
The chief care in this case must be, to remove what makes the Infant Cough and Cry, and appease him. One may apply to the Inflamed Navel( for Suppuration would be prevented) little Compresses wet in Rose water with Sugar of led: Or in oil of Roses with a little Vinegar: Or lay thereto Unguentum Ros●tum and Album, or Nutritum mixed: Or Bole Armen, Blood-stone, with Rose Vinegar and Whites of Egg●: The rest also against Inflammation. If it remain ulcered after the String is off, the read drying ointment may be applied, Diapompholigos, the Ceruss or Chaulk Plaster, or Diapalma: Or Rags wet in Lime Water alone, or boiled with Mercurius Dulcis, or wet with the Dissolution of Alum, or white Vitriol in Plaintain water. If the Ulcer be small, dry linen serves alone, or with a little Powder of Chaulk, Bole, washed Tutty, Calaminar ston, or of a worm eaten three: keeping still a Compress and Swath thereat, till it be whole and sound.  
The Ruptures of Infants Navels, be they bigger or less, must only have Compress and Ligature applied: Some make also glueing and Astringent Applications, as in other Ruptures. If the Navel should be too much extenuated, or made thin( and sometimes it is dilated even to receiving the intestines in its rapture) it may split and the guts fall out. If an Imposthum of any depth or bigness succeed an Inflammation, it ever kills the Infant, who must not be meddled with, but let die, especially if weak: For that if the Imposthum be opened, the Matter vents, but the guts must also soon come after.   

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Infants Scaldings.  
THey happen mostly in their Gro●ns, Buttocks and Thighs, which soon turn read and ●nflamed, the tender Skin being easily hurt and eaten off, by the Heat, Moisture and Acrimony of their Excrements, if they ly swathed, wet and foull a little too long, through the Nurses neglect.  
For the prevention thereof, let the Infant be still kept Clean and Dry, timely shifted with well washed dry Clouts and Blanket, carefully ragging up these Parts each time. For Cure, let the Place be well cleansed of Excrements, and then fomented with Plantain and a little Lime Water mixed, or with a Dissolution of White Vitriol. If there be great Pain and Redness, with some lukewarm Milk or Ptisan: There may be also strawed on it, a little Ceruss, washed Tutty, Calaminar ston, Powder of rotten Trees, or white Starch: It may be stroked over with Unguentum Album, Nutritum, or Diapompholigos: The Nurse besides must keep a cooling diet, to temper the Acrimony of the Infants Urin, contracted by her Heat, or hot Nutriment.   

CHAP. XXIX. Of Ulcers of the Mouth.  
THey proceed chiefly from the Heat, Acrimony, or other bad Quality of the Milk, which thus affects their Mouths in passing: From its Indigestion also and Corruption in the Stomach, upon surcharge, or through some fault thereof; from whence( as from intern Inflammation, a preternatural Efferv●sscence of the Body, happening about the Hypoconders) acrimonious sharp Vapours arise and flee up, as from a cauldron, through the breathing hole of the Mouth, fixing into a kind of Chaulky Excrement( yet Some are read, Others Black, which are the worst) over the whole Mouth and Tongue, beginning at the Gums, pricking, eating and quickly ulcerating the little thin Skin, by reason of its softness and lax Pores: Marring the liberty of Sucking, causing Death also, if not Cured.  
If they arise from a simplo Intemperature of the Nurse and Milk, or of the Infants Bowels or Humors, they are small, superficial, without Inflammation, and easily Cure without spreading: If Venereal, Malignant, Scorbutick, they turn putrid, make Corrosion and deep Crusts, spreading to the jaws and Gullet, Yea Some thorough to the very Fundament, chiefly the Venereal, increasing and wasting the soft and tender Infant, which can rarely then recover, being unable for these severe sudorifics, without which they Cure not.  
For Cure of these more benign( beside the change of the Nurse, or correction of her Milk, by a convenient cooling diet, Blee●ing also and gentle Purging if necessar) the Infants Belly must be kept open, to carry the Cause downward, using Syrup of rhubarb, Violets, Roses Solutive, Manna, and the rest: There may be frequently stroked into his Mouth, a little Honey, or Syrup of Roses, or of Mulberries, Brambles, Pomgranats, and others Cooling and Astringent: or a gargoyle may be made, mixing therewith water of Plantain, of Roses, Barley, Sage, Strawberries, and the like, a little juice of Lemons, a gut also of Spirit of Vitriol, if there be no inflammation( for then may juice of houseleek be added, of purslane, or Night-shade) a little Salt Prunell, or in in its place a grain or two of crude alum: washing softly with a small rag, or Cotton, upon a Stick, and dipped therein. Some use a mixture of Rape oil, or oil of Almonds: or yet Honey and Sugar mid way thick: Some the Yolk of an Egg beaten with Rose Water: Some mix Milk with Rose or Barley Water, Mucilag also of Althea Roots, and Quince Seeds. Some use the decoction of Fluellin, or Speedwel, of Vervain also, with Honey of Roses: First rubbing twice or thrice after sucking, with the decoction of Jews Ears in Milk. Yet the Testaceons Powders above-mentioned, which powerfully retund, yea, even remove the Acrimony, and most gentle cathartics are held far better to be used then Gargarisms.  
The Malignant Ulcers requires Applications more sharp and strong, and that to their Bigness, Depth, and Corruption; which may operate as in an Infant, with a most swift light touch, Cauterizing the same, to oppose the pravity of the Humours which cause them, and so prevent their increase: As Spirit of Vitriol, or Sulphur, with Honey of Roses; burnt alum also, alum water, egyptian ointment, and the rest: yet must be used in such form, as they may not go further then the palate, still mixing what is grateful to the taste: washing the Mouth after with Plantain water, or a decoction of Barley and Agrimony, and honey of Roses, that no sharp Serosities may distill upon the places not yet Ulcered, and upon the Throat. Repeating these so oft as is needful, and till they be found to spread no further.   

CHAP. XXX. Of Teething.  
THE Teeth being bread, or begun in the Womb with the other Parts, and hide some while, gradually perfecting in the Jaws and Gums( for it is rare and strange to be born Teethed, yet is not found to fortoken ill in men, though of black and dismal consequence in Women) cut the same, and start out 7 or 8 Months mostly after the Nativity, though in some much sooner, even from the Fifth, who are said to have less pain, yet the Teeth weaker: Others are much later, some even over the Year, and such have greater pain, but stronger Teeth; yea, some to the third or fourth, though more rarely. And mostly also comes the upper soonest,( yet to some the neather sooner) and first the Cutters or Foreteeth, as sooner perfect, more small and sharp, the Jaw thinner in that Part, and they withal first needed. Next the Eye or Dog-teeth● Last the Grinders or Cheek-teeth. Some have been found born with one continued Tooth in the upper Jaw.  
The Teeth cuts the Gums and breaks out, with more grievous sharp Pain, than Pricks in the Flesh: Whence many healthful thriving Infants, take Coughs, Thrushes, Fluxes of the Belly, or yet Constipations thereof, fevers, Epilepsies, Convu●sions, Sw●o●ings and others, of which many die, especially while the Dog-teeth comes out: As also where the Gums are more solid and hard, the Teeth broad and blunt, and come our slower, or many together: And in Infants very gross, humorish and costive( for they who have a loose Belly, are ever better than they who are bound) whence a greater Flux of Humors to the pained Place. Yet Some are still more, some less afflicted, for their natural Conctitution, or as the Flesh of the Gums is softer or more hard.  
Signs of Teething, are Itch, Pain, and Swelling of the Gums, a great heat and dryness of their Mouths, into which they have oft their Fingers, Slavers much, Wakes, Frets, Tosses, Whines, Crys, have Gripings, green Stools and Vomiting, fevers, Convulsions, and the other forenamed Symptoms: Wakens Starting and Crying, the Teeth may be also discerned pointing the Gums, which are thin and pale, or white at Top, where they start out, and read at the Sides.  
In the painful Teething, the Infant must suck a good, cool, well tempered Milk: and may get whiles against its great Heat and Ebullitions of the Blood, some Syrup of white Poppies in Cichory water, or Syrup of Lemons, Pomegranates, or Rizars in boiled water: Yet must not hold any thing actually could in his Mouth. His Belly must be kept open, which yet readily then exceeds. His Gums also may be softly rubbed now and then with ones Finger, or a little powdered Sugar, to be rarefied, and more easily cut. Some Instrument uses to be provided for him to rub upon, of Ivory, Crystal, Silver, or other solid smooth Matter: Usually a Silver coral with Bells. Some put a Wolfs Tooth: He may have a little new Wax Candle, or liquorice stick to champ on. Several things beside are to be rubbed upon the Gums, held special for easy Teething, as Hares, Rabbits, Pigs or Sheeps Brains, with pure Honey: Ashes of Dogs Teeth with Butter, or Honey: Fat of Hens: Blood hot from a Cock's Comb, and many others: Which yet avail only as they soften and rarify the Gums, and ease the Pain: For which One may use oil of Almonds, Poppies, Cream, Butter, Honey: Unwashen greasy Wool about its Neck gives ease. And where nothing can further their Eruption, because of the hardness, thickness and solidity of the Gums, or the Infants weakness, they may be cut open, to prevent mortal Symptoms: Yet must only be done when the Tooth is now become more big and large, swells and notably inflames the Gum, being ready to come out, and working with all force to break thorough it: And with a Pen Knife also, or other which hath a thick Back like a Raz●r, and not a Lancet, which doth hurt, or is quiter ineffectual, and this without peril of great Pain, Bleeding or Inflammation.   

CHAP. XXXI. Of Infants Looseness.  
INfants being of a soft soluble Substance,& sustained with a moist liquid Food, take readily a Looseness upon the least Indisposition, especially in Teething, having then Watchings, Unrest, a great Commotion and Ebullitions of the Blood, Fluxions from the Head: Whence the Coctions are blunted, indigestions, Crudities, and Corruption abound, and store of Salt acrimonious stimulating Humors are generated, which fall down and trouble the guts: Or from a turgency of ●ile there, with a predomining Acid. It may arise also from bad and impure Milk, or when too plentifully sucked, which source and comes off Grumy: From a weak humid Lax Stomach, debility of the retentive Faculty, and the rest as in the arged.  
An easy moderat looseness is nothing in the beginning, and in a strong gross Humorish Child, ●hich also in the of Pain Teething saves from Cenvulsions, and is not then to be rashly stopped: Yet if tedious and vexing, with Grips, fever, Drought, ill Smell, loss of Appetite and the like, it must soon melt and wash its soft delicate Substance, dissipate the Spirits, and enfeeble it much. And so for Cure, a slight Infusion of Reubarb may be given, or a little of the Powder, or some of the compound Syrup of Cichery, to purge off any noxious Humors from the Guts: little glisters also of Milk with the Yolk of an Egg, a little Sugar or Honey of Violets. And after sufficient Evacuation, astringent glisters may be given: Astringents likewise and R●boratives by the Mouth if needful, as Syrup of coral, of dried Roses, Quinces, Myrtles: A little diascord, Con●ection of Hyacinth, Mithridat, prepared coral or Tincture of it, sealed Earth, burnt Harts-horn, Bole Armen, powder of Dock or S●●rel Seed, of Tormentil Root and the like. Milk Meat also with the Yolk of an Egg. The Belly is to be rubbed with oil of Quinces, mastic, Myrtles: The Stomach fomented with read Wine and oil of Quinces, or get Compresses laid thereon wet in read Wine, boiled with Roses, Balausts, Sumach, Anis, and the like. Astringent Cataplasms also are used, Piaisters, and others, according as the vehemency of the Flux, its Causes and Accidents may require: Yet Some will not have it stopped with Astringents properly called, nor narcotics, but with things which mitigates the Sourness that makes all the trouble: Such as Chaulk, coral, Pearl and others of that Kind, which stills the raging Humors, that so they may be purged off. The Infant must have good Milk, suck moderately, and let the Nurse keep a proper diet.   

CHAP. XXXII. Of Infants Vomitings.  
SOme Vomit the Milk presently, altho' they have not sucked much, and then the fault is in the Milk or Stomach, and such decay. Some vomit only when they suck more than the Stomach can bear, and casts up only that which oppresses, yet keeps and digests the rest: And then they are not sick, but become more cheery; For the Stomach is right, and they suffer only through Repletion: So that their Vomiting is either from the ill Quality of the Milk, or its Incongruity with the Stomach: Or then from some Acid, Austere, Irritive humour, or Heterogeneous Matter in it: And either generated therein, or conveyed thither from far, by Arteries and Nerves, which pricks, bites and irritates its intern Surface, and chiefly its sensible Orifice: From Overcharge also of Milk, or a delinquency in the Measure and Manner of taking it: And sometimes from its tepid Sweetness: As by a too great Agitation thereof in the Stomach, while rudely dandled or rocked: From a too straight and painful Suath●ng upwards: From Cough also. Some voided Pituit, but that is oftest the time of Teething. Vomitings are very usual to Infants, but little headed: Yet turns whiles excessive, with sore Symptoms, and miserable afflicting, being a violent Motion of the Stomach, very oft involuntary, and most justly held Convulsive: And if habitual, must kill the Child through a continual Ejection of Aliment.  
For Cure( beside the Infants right Government as to outward Causes) the peccant Matter is to be gently purged off, with a little Infusion of rhubarb, Syrup of Roses, or of Cichory Compound: And the Stomach after fortified, giving now and then while empty, a little Syrup of Quinces, Mint, sharp Pomegranates, Lemons with a grain Salt of Wormwood, or Mint: Outwardly oil of Mace, Quinces, mastic, Mint: plaster of Crust of Bread, or of mastic, or Tacamahaca: Or a Compress wet in juice or Water of Mint, or Wormwood, or in Vinegar, or in strong read Wine, wherein are boiled Roses, Mint, Cloves, Ma●e, cinnamon: Or a Crust of Bread with these aromatics. The●iac also, Mithridat and the like. Yet the Testaceous things formerly mentioned, without these, emetics or narcotics are held to do notably( yea be even sudorifics, if any thing else) in this Case, for tempering and sheathing the Acid, that so it may be purged off.   

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Epilepsy and Convulsion.  
THey are held to proceed from the irritation of some notably sharp, austere, pricking liquour or juice( Fumes also or impetuous putrid vapours) which if it oppress, pinch and afflict what is within the Skull, it then produces that horrible trouble of the Epilepsy, by a Colluctation as it were, and Combat of the Brain therewith: But if the Matter flow in upon the Nerves without, sting and stimulate the small Fibres thereof, the Membranes that involves them, and all the Parts under their rule, there arise Convulsions only, where there is not such cruel Symptoms, but only an involuntary Motton of the Parts, with their Ventricosity, Hardness, sharp Pain, Coldness and the rest. And thus as this Matter is variously lodged, fermented and moves, within or without the Brain, so are these troubles excited, the Epilepsy or Convulsion, erratic and Perodick fits produced; and that upon foam one or other Member or Muscle, or more, as they are affencted and Spirits sent to their relief. This weal-public Matter is either contained within the Brain, or flows out from other parts& carried thither by the circulation, as when the Meconium is too long retained, or while a greedy fill of Milk or Meat source and turns to poison in the Stomach: And for the Nature thereof, the Fits are greater or lefs, longer or shorter, repeated or more rate: and the Symptoms appear more gentle or grievous. Yet Convulsions depends as well upon the Infants strength now near spent and exhausted, as upon the Acrimony of that Matter, extimulating the Nerves, irritating and pricking the Spirits, and exagitating them into disordered Motions, or a tumult: And thus after little Ones are sore weakened with this or that Malady, or some misguiding, Convulsions, or at least Draughts, or shaking of the Members seizes them for all, and puts an end to the miseries they are tortured with.  
They are most familiar to Infants, in whom they are mostly acute, and very oft funest, killing many, either by reason of the rebellant Matter, or of the most grievous subsequent Accidents, and death itself happening oft upon the first Fit; and that by reason oft times the Membranes of the Brain are eroded by the sharpness of the Humour, whence it is wholly overflowed and ●ppressed therewith.  
As to Cure, the Irritative Cause must be removed, the relics amended, the strength preserved and supplied so far as possible: And thus Evacuations are used upwards and downward, if the Humour be fallen upon the Nerves without: oils, balsam, and ointments mixed with Spirituous things are applied to the Back-bone, and the parts affencted, in a Convulsion of some particular Member, as oil of Turpentine with Ambered Spirit of Wine: oil also of Amber, of Marjoram, of Earth Worms, Foxes, Castor: The Nerve ointment, ointment of Rue, and the like. A caustic is ordered to the Hinder-head( yet profits most where the disease is Idiopathick) as is a plaster of Ammoniack, Cupping-Glasses also to the Shoulders and Loins: A Vesicatory to the Nape of the Neck, a corroborant plaster to the Fore-head. Antepilepticks are used inwardly, from black Cherries chiefly, lily of the Valley, Male Paeony, Lime, or Linden three, Divels Bite, Primeroses, Lavender, Betony, Castor: Langius his Water, Syrup of Staechas, Spirit of Harts-Horn, of Salt Armoniack: oil also of Amber, of Juniper, which may be infused into the Mouth: as also the volatile Salts, applied and rubbed on the Nostrils and Temples in these Fits, in which also the smoke of Tobacco is blown into its Mouth. The Powder of Gutteta is most frequently used, and some commend the Powder of the 2d din. dried in the shade, but that it be of the 1st Child, and a Male is superstitious. Misselto of the Oak is made a specific( that part chiefly cut nearest the Oak held the more noble) as is the wild Valerian Root: the gull also of a black Puppy, mixed with Vinegar, or given in Powder, is held a special Cure. Let the Infant suck a tried Nurse, and may feed upon the Milk only: She must use an attenuating, temperate wholesome diet, of convenient juice and Temperature, abstaining things of bad juice, of hard or bad digestion, or whatever may vitiate or breed ill Milk. Such who have a hereditary Disposi●ion to the Epilepsy( and some Families uses to have all their Children killed therewith) are to get as soon as born for preservation( for which also some order the pregnant Woman Antepilepticks each new Moon after the quickening) some doses of the powder of Gutteta, a caustic also to the Neck foam days after the birth, and must be purged twice a Month, each New Moon also, yea, every quarter thereof, and in all humid and more changeable Weather, get of the foresaid Powder, have a strengthenning Cep, smeeking Powders, Powders also for the Hair. Some for preservation moistens the Infants Body a little warmly▪ with the Infusion of Castor and Paeony Roots in fine Spirit of Wine, or with the decoction of lenient and spirituous Herbs: Which things are also to be used for These who have had it( for Some are so obnoxious thereto, that tho once Cured, it returns) having ever respect to the Cause, the Part primarily affencted, the Age, Strength and weal-public Insults. Some only add Castor to the Testaceous Powders for Blunting the Acidity, that so it may be carried off.   

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Infants Ruptures.  
THey arise mostly, from the falling of the intestine, through Laxity, or then rapture of the Peritonaeum, tho that rather because of Humidity; and then the tumour is soft, with Fluctuation and Murmur, and appears on a sudden. In Some it stops in the groin( as may the Testicles also oft, long ere they come down, and be taken for a rapture in that part) in Others it falls completely into the Co●s: Sometimes the cawl falls down therewith, and whiles the cawl alone, and then the tumour is less, more Inequal, Slippery, yields more hardly to the Touch, is without Noise or Fluctuation, and ofter on the Share-bone than the Cods, Where the intestine or cawl fixes upon the Scrotum, if Inflammation follow it is deadly.  
The Causes may be, a too great Repletion of Meat, their more vehement and long Crying, while abandoned by merciless Nurses, a Cough also, and especially if then they be too straight swathed upwards, plenty of Wind, strong pressing at Stool, and the like. And as Ruptures happen thus more easily in the soft moist Bodies of Infants, so the Borders of the separated Muscles of the Belly, or Rents of the Peritonaeum, more easily reunite in them, close and grow together, dry and fortify, that nothing can more slide out or fall down, if the Cure be endeavoured upon its first appearing: For which, the prolapsed Part must be gently intruded and returned into its natural Place, by the Way it fell down, and kept therein, with a Swath or Truss( which must be closed straight enough about the Body▪ and by which alone, when rightly fitted, it hath oft Cured of its self) the Place being fomented before with some astringent Decoction, covered also with the plaster for Ruptures, or other like binding and glueing: With consolidating and astringent Medicines inwardly, tho all hope be in the Externs: Hindering by all means his Crying, Cough Sneezing, Vomiting: Careful withal he be easy swathed, and not press hard at Stool, or what else may force a Relapse: And for a speedier Cure, he is to keep Bed a good time.  
Some have a Collection of Wind, or yet Water upon the Scrotum, conspicuous betwixt and the light, coming from the upper Parts, or generated there, through natural weakness of the Part, or violence of the Labour, the Vessels being thus crushed or broken, and the Aliment converting into a Serous watery Substance: for which Fomentations are used, to open, resolve and discuss the Matter, of Calamint, Bay, Marjoram, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Savin, Flowers of Chamemel, Melilot, Elder, Lavender, Seeds of Cumin, Anis, Daucus and the like. A sponge also, with Lime Water and a little Crude alum to dry up the Water: Or Desiccativum Rubrum with the Countess's ointment: plaster of Bay-berries and Cumin, with Sulphur vive, alum and the like: and the greatest part being discussed and dried up, The Part in end is to be fortified with the Decoction of strong read Wine, Roses and alum: Ever regarding the original Cause hereof: And if it yield not to these, Chirurgery is used by a simplo Incision, which is easy and without peril: Tho yet at length it may discuss through transmutation of the Age into a more robust and dry Nature.   

CHAP. XXXV. Of Scabs on the Heads and Faces of Infants.  
THey are the purulency of Humors corrupted in little Pimples, which perforating the Skin, dry and harden about into sanious Crusts, or contagious little Ulcers, or Scabs, running together, and overspreading the whole Heads and Faces of Some, whiles also in the rest of the Body; Arising sooner or later, mostly when they begin to Suck, and in the Winter. Of these Ulcers, Some are Dry and Skaly, Others are Humid, which also are various: Some again are Superficial and White, called then the milky Crust: Or yet are Yellowish, with the Skin read beneath: Others are Black, Thick, Malignant, where the Sanies corrod and ulcerat deeply, spoiling sometimes even the skull, that the very Membranes may be seen. They are held to be generated in the Womb, from some relics of the menstruous Blood: Or then after the Birth, through the Indigestion and Corruption, or Badness and Impurity of the Milk, The Nurse being ill of a saltish Intemperature: Is sometimes also hereditary.  
There must be no stop of the humour, being Nature's Provident and beneficial Ejection of such Impurity, and a mean of the Infants future Health and Immunity from many great Diseases, as fevers, Epilepsies( which oftimes arise, while these Ulcers disappear) and others. He therefore must only have a good healthful Nurse( for if it come of the Nurse, she must be changed, or the Infant weaned, else tho it were forced away, it would instantly return) who is to use the best diet, that so He may suck pure good Milk, to correct and temper these ill Humors, and prevent any more generation thereof. Let his Belly be kept open, and let him be purged if necessar, with Syrup of Cichory, or of Roses, or with Manna. Sometimes this Disease is is stubborn and hard to Cure, for that the intern Cure uses not to be looked unto. The Crust may also be brought off for a freer Vent to the humour, rubbing thereon some oil of Almonds, Pomat, Cream or fresh Butter: If it go in, a headed Cabbadge, or Best Leaf may be applied warm, which will suppurate the humour and make it run again, whereby the Place will come to dry and heal, and so the Crust then fall away of itself. Secure the Infants Hands the while from Rubbing and Scratching thereof, lest the place Inflame.   

CHAP. XXXV. Of the Small Pox and Meazils.  
THey are purulent itching Pustuls, driven out through Ebullition of the Blood( as dregs from new liquour) here and there, over the whole Body, chiefly the Face and Extremities; of some peculiar matter, or gross sharp Corrosive Impurity, lodged in the Pores of the Parts from the Womb( hence none almost escapes) till some ferment arrive from the Stars, or other pocky Persons( being most part epidemic, and in certain Years and Seasons) which excite, expel or eject it, that mixing with the Blood, it is thus separated and cast out; seizing mostly the young and tender Bodies, very rarely ofter then once, though in Some twice thrice: Yet Some( but most rarely) never at all. The Meazils differ in degree, hardly in kind, and scarce distinguishable the 1st. 2. or 3. dayes, till the Pox begin to rise manifestly into Pustuls, while the other remains fiery read Spots, or asperities of the Skin like Roses, rising scarce higher then the Skin, and are soon discussed without suppuration; Yet invades more fiercely in the beginning, there being a greater difficulty of breathing, a sorer fever, more Tears extilling from the Eyes, and most part sharper, Breaks out also for the most part suddenly, and over the whole Body, though soonest and principally upon the Face: The Pox slower and successively, now in this part, then in the other. The Blibes are a disease familiar to Children, yet not so universal, nor sore; strike out here and there over the Skin, in bigness and figure like the Pox, mostly without fever, are white, and as it were little clear Bladders, full of serous Matter or Water, break and dry up in 2 or 3 dayes, without trouble or peril.  
The usual signs precede the Pox( being seen when present) are a continual great fever, Drought, a big and frequent Pulse, great Sottishness, frequent Reachings, swelling of the Face, redness of the Eyes, Tears, Itching of the Nose, Sneezing, Vomiting, hoarseness, Cough, hard Breathing, great unrest, Tossing, Heat, Itch and Stingings of the Body, Frights in the sleep, Raving: Sometimes Tremblings, Convulsions, whitish and troubled Urin also, and others which cannot be well discerned in Infants: All which precede not always in every One, yet the more, the surer prediction of the disease.  
The Pox is a disease most acute, vile and dangerous: and peril there is not only of great hurt and deformity, but even of death. In some the body decays; yea, whiles some bones, and the very bowels corrupt: whence Dysentery Consumption, dropsy: oft-times also they exulcerate the Jaws, Stomach, and even the Lungs.  
They look deadly, when the fever, Drought, Sickness, shortness of Breath, and the other Symptoms continue and augment after they are out: And yet more, when they come out slowly, or turn not into Matter, or into a bad sanious watery Master: Are in great number, big, double, run together, turn hard, flat, especially with a black spot in the middle: The green also, livid, black, are ever bad: And these most of all, that disappear quickly, and especially with a looseness or dysentery; as also where blood is excerned by Urin, Stool, or any other ways: nor yet are livid or black Excrements or Urin good, neither livid or black spots intermixed with the Pox. If on the contrair, they come soon and easily out, be few, the inner Parts well and more free, be in the beginning read, after wax white, fills well, and ripens soon, of good Matter, are soft, distinct, and raised to a Point, comes in a good season, with laudable Symptoms the while, and the rest, the Infant comes easily off, if but rightly guided.  
As to this, it is chiefly necessar, an equal Tenor be preserved in the Ebullition of the Blood, Natures time and place attended, in its due separation, universal despumation( which is made the 1st. 4. dayes) and expulsion of the Matter by the Pores of the Skin, the most safe way and not unknown to Nature: that they also bide duly out, and reach their appointed Period and Hight rightly, in the 8, or 9 day. And if this Excretton go duly thorough, and other Symptoms urge not, the matter may be committed to Nature alone, and needs little alteration in diet or Government, nor other provision from what was in health; which is even so commonly known, that for the most part this Disease is not so much committed to Physicians, as to Old Wives. Yet if this Motion of Nature succeed not so rightly, as is known by vehemency of the Symptoms, or if it become languid, as in Some phlegmatic( these of a thinner Matter comes soonest out) or are very low through some Disease, or have a looseness, the Physician is needed, and Nature is to be succoured partly by hieroglyphics, as Bezoar Mineral, new diaphoretic Antimony, calcined Harts-horn, Bezoar-stone, Contrayerva and the like: Partly by Alexipharmicks, Confection Alkermes, Hyacinth, Magistery of coral, of Pearl, gascons Powder and the rest: Especially when they are epidemic, or have greater Malignity: And oft w●th one Dose of these, they forthwith break out: And as happily sometimes with a little warm W●●e and Saffron( this being held an antidote, whence all Cordials here must consist of Saffron) sweet Navew Seed is held good for Eruption, as is Seed of Cresses, of Columbin, Sheeps Dung also( which is held a specific haply for no reason) a Decoction of Figs, Raisins and Parsley Roots.  
If again through neglect, mistake, or other Cause, the Blood heat, inflame, rage and boil beyond all Measure, with a fullness beside, intense fever, Anxiety, difficulty of Breathing, thick read Urin, and other great Symptoms, Bleeding is allowed in the beginning, and while none or but few appear( which yet is not so readily admitted to Infants) a freer Air, diet also and Medicines, not only temperate, but a little more, yea, very Cooling: Yet such as are agreeable to the Stomach, may please and comfort it. But seing the sucking Infant can take little save the Milk, it ought to be tempered, altered and prepared, as may best serve the Intent and answer the Indications.  
The Belly tho bound, mus● not be rashly opened, and with a gentle Glyste● only, The Eyes for defence are to be kept wet with Breast Milk and Saffron: or a Collyr of Plantain and Rose Water, Camphor or Sugar of led, and a little Saffron. To the Throat is applied a Band of Saffron, dipped in Breast Milk, For the Breast and hoarseness, Syrup of Injubes is given, of Maiden-hair, dried Roses, Poppies and the like: Some Syrup of Lemons also, of pomegranates, or of Vinegar to cut the Phlegm: Or some Mixture proper for these Intents, or to preserve the Inwards. They order for the Face, oil of Almonds chiefly, Some as soon as they appear, to facilitate their Suppuration, and prevent deep Marks: Others not till they are already ripe, usually about the 9 day. Some add a little Cream: Others use fresh Butter only: Some, pure old Hogs Grease well washed in Rose Water, which they continue till all be Cured. Some use oil of Walnuts and Rose Water beaten together. And Some to hinder the Marks will open them when ripe, with a Steel or Silver Needle, for evacuation of the Matter, which putrefying therein makes these Marks. oil of Eggs is used for removing the Marks, oil of Almonds, Sheeps Suet, Hogs Grease with Camphor, Whale-shot with Pomat. And Some order as a great Secret, the oil which distills before the Fire from a Sheeps Web strawed with Grains of Barley: let the Infant also be restrained from rubbing and piking them. For the Itching and Ulcers, and to remove the meddles, One may apply some oil of Poppies, the White ointment, Nutritum, Pomat or ointment of led, Many things more might have been added anent these Diseases and the various Symptoms, but the Case being with Infants, where few things take place, and where Women take mostly upon them, these shall suffice.   

CHAP. XXXVII. Of the Venereal Pox.  
THis Pox is more Wrackful and Infectious than the former, imparting its Venom to Infants by every Converse. This they either bring from the Womb of a pocky Mother, which appears in Pustuls and Ulcers here and there, chiefly about the Belly and hips, near the Fundament, the inside of the Thigs, and upon the Head: and some are vilely Scabbed all over. Or are poisoned by a foul Nurse( as many be) and breaks out in Ulcers about its Mouth first and Jaws, yet dispersing Contaminats in time all its other Parts. Infants so born, rarely Cure, but Die, sooner or later, being vitiated in their Principles and whole Substance, or engendered and formed in the Womb of the polluted Seed of either, or both Parents, and vilely also Nourished therein. When it comes by the Nurse, it is not so bad, for that She may be removed: B●side that her Milk receives Concoction in the Infants Stomach, and depuration from the Excrements, and so some Correction: Yet still retains a pernicious Quality, whence it also invenoms and stains the whole Infant by Degrees.  
A complete Cure hereof is rarely wrought in Infants, for that because of their Non-Age and imbecility, they cannot take, nor endure the proper Remedies without peril of Life: And so were best palliated to a greater Age and Strength: Tho yet this vile Disease, and its horrible Symptoms, does so speedily and deeply impress, and makes such havoc of their soft delicate Bodies, that they are soon lost without it. How miserable then are such Infants stated? However as to Cure, let a clean Nurse be got, who must use such diet and Others as may best qualify her Milk, preserve her also from the Infection. And if no Nurse can be had, the Infant is to be Nourished the next best way may be.  
The Way of exciting a Flux in Infants( the only Mean of their perfect Cure) is by Mercurial Unctions( tho Some also give Mercury inwardly) and upon the Pustuls and Ulcers only, for a small Flux, which must begin almost insensible, and be raised by degrees, yet still very slowly, with reiterated Frictions( more frequent also, and a stronger Dose in the progress if necessar) according to the Strength, the divers Habits, and easiness to Flux, in which there is great difference: Carefully observing the Effects: S●oping therefore some Days after a Friction or two, to try its operation and the degree thereof, the only sure way: And so safest to proceed slowly, and take longer tsme: Easier also, to repeat and augment a weak Dose, then stop the Effects when it exceeds, or while the Humors are moved with such a force, as the Glanduls being so hugely filled therewith, the Infant may be ●uffocated, or its sucking marred and Ulcers raised. Let the Frictions be once each or other day( before the Fire) in a warm Chamber, where he must be kept secure from could or Air, with purging also: And while the Flux continues, he is to be kept to one Side, for a better Evacuation of the Humors, whieh must be frequently wiped from its Mouth, using Gargles also of Poppy, Plantain, Rose, Self heal Waters and the like: Or of Barley Water boiled with Agrimony, adding Honey of Roses or Mulberries, Salt-prunel and the rest. And in great pain, lukewarm Milk with Rose Water, or the Yolk of an Egg, Mucilag of Althaea Roots, or Quince Seeds. Supporting the Infant all that can, to endure the Flux thoroughly, till it diminish and cease of itself.   

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of keeping Infants from being Glied, Awry, Crooked or Lame.  
A Just decent Figure and comformation of the Parts and Members of human Bodies is part of Health, a great and valuable Beauty, yet so easily and very oft marred and spoiled in Infants( their Limbs and Joints being wrested and forced out of due place by reason of their softness and delicacy) that all Providence, Care and Industry is needed to its Preservation, and no less to a Rectification of the Hurts and Deformities thereof, which yet is easier prevented than mended.  
To prevent Squinting of the Eyes, the noble Luminaries and Lanterns of our Bodies, let Nurses have no such Deformity, neither any more intimat to Infants: And that the Eyes may hold stable, and look strait on, let the Light, or what else they shall look to, be directly before them. To correct this in Infants( for in the Elder it is not Cured) a Mask is ordered for their Faces, with 2 little Holes answering right to the Eyes, that seeing or receiving the rays by these only, they may be conformed and reduced to their genuine Situation. To preserve them from turning Awry, Crooked or Lame, let the Parts and Members be dressed as formerly directed, each rightly extended and laid in its own Place, and all neatly tied up in a strait Figure( swathing whiles one way, whiles another, yet not too hard, which oft deforms the Body and destroys the Proportion) and ever laid in a strait Situation. And when they come to be carried, they must not be kept still sitting in one Arm, nor after one manner, fast catched about the Knees and crouching together, as most Nurses do, which must soon Craze and Crook them in the Knees and Legs; and is almost the only Cause thereof. The disfigured Parts of young Infants, must be helped and kept in right posture, with Swaths and Bolsters only: Yet when grown some bigger, Boots are used for the Crooked Legs, and Shoes heightened at one side for the wry Feet, and closs stays, well stiffed with Whale-bone, Pastboord or T●●, for the disfiguration of Back or Breast, to hinder the further shutting, and hid the Deformity. Some Infanes by falling, have their Skull depressed, yet without Fracture( for the Bones thereof are very thin, so as they may be bowed by a small Pression of any hard thing)& tho then no Hurt appear, yet in time they may hence become Dull, Stupid, Fools, subject to Catarrhs and Pains, while the Brain moves not freely, and so the Animal Spirits are badly elaborated: Such Depressions therefore ought to be presently lift up, by some sticking plaster, Cupping-glass, or instrument of Horn. Nurses also must beware, that in feeding the Infant, they deform not its Mouth, making it too wide, or choke it. Thus far briefly of the most usual Maladies of Infants: And for any others may befall them, being common with the aged, have nothing to be considered peculiar to them in the Cure, save their Age and delicacy.   

CHAP. XXXIX. Of a Nurse.  
IT were best, all Mothers might nurse their own Children, not only because of a mutual agreement of the Temperaments, the far greater Analogy of their Milk, with the Food received in the Womb, but also for their greater bowels of Love and Tenderness towards their own Fruit, being inflamed with an Affection almost invincible, panting after their welfare, as their own; while hired Nurses pleases themselves too much, and are kind only as they are set by and rewarded: whence oft-times from the perverseness of their Minds, unruliness of diet, secret Mal●dies, naughtiness of their Milk and other D●baucheries, many Infants( especially these given out) are either pitifully killed, or gets what they never claw off, but lives miserable lives. Few Mothers however with us now a days do it, save the poorer, being wondrous delicate, or because of Cus●●m, or lest it spoil their Breast, morr their Bea●e●, hasten their decay, straighten their Pleasure and Diver●●sement, restrict their diet, and other Mortifications too hard for these of Quality: yet very many are quiter unfit, being weak and sick after Labour▪ or ill disposed in the Bowels of Nutrition, have ill Milk, are worn out and wants Milk, have sore Breasts also and the like; And then the Children of such are more happy in good Nurses: For as some Trees luxuriates more happily, while transplanted to a strange soil, and the more fierce Creatures tame with sucking some milder. so many Infants are found to recover of the Inte●●erature they contracted in the Mothers Womb, by sucking a different tempered Milk: Nor are good Nurses hard to be got, and with all the laudable Properties, which are usually taken from their Age, habit of B●dy, good Manners, the condition and Nature of their Milk, the Form, not only of their Paps, but of the nipples also, the space from their delivery, the Sex of their last Infant and the rest. Her Age is ordered from 25 years to 35, being then in prime Health, vigour, and Strength: though Some will not have her exceed ●0, for the greater force and efficacy of Heat, a greater plenty of Milk, and less of Excrements: yet Others make her indifferent good from 20 to 40, though rarely before or after. She is to be also of a middle Stature, of a goodly Structure and Symmetry of Parts, a solid firm habit of body, midway fleshy, of a vivid Colour or Complexion also, clear skinned, and the Veins Conspicuous: Of a comely Face, with full Splendid, sprightly Eyes, of a pleasant smiling Countenance, be clear Voic'd, freely and distinctly spoken, having good white Teeth, a sweet Breath, Black or Chess-nut Hair. She must be neat also and cleanly, healthful and sound of Body throughout, not disposed or affencted with Gout, Gravel, Consumption, King's-Evil , Scurvy▪ Venereal disease, or other contagious Malady, nor be come of any such, neither intimately Conversant with them: Not Fairntickled, Pox marked: And have neither Itch, Scab, Sc●●d▪ Lice, or other outward Blemish or Impurity. She must not have her Courses, nor be subject to the Whites, neither be with Child. She must next be of praised Manners and disposition of Mind, not Dull, Silly, melancholic, neither Surly, Morose, Quarrelsome, Wrathful, quickly or vehemently affencted with Passion,( which either puts away the Milk, or troubles it, hurts the Child, and haply gives it the Epilepsy) but of a tranquil calm, meek Spirit, Prudent, Rational, Merry and Pleasant, Sober also and Temperate, Vigilant, Chast( tho' if she be Hysterick, to wit, of a more tender and delicate Temperament however Chast, the Milk degenerates and is more gross) avoiding strong Drink, or Venery and all Incentives thereof, tho' yet she is allowed a Liberty in the last with her own Husband: yea, and to be with Child also without spilling the Milk: Though it is best she keep free, or forbear after from giving Suck. As to the Nature and Condition of the Milk, it is requisite she have great plenty thereof, rather too much then too little, the over-plus▪ may be turned away: Good also, pure and sincere, not too Serous, Thin and Fluid, nor very Viscous, gross and Cheesy, but of a middle Consistence, that if dropped upon the Nail, or Hand, Glass, or Platter, it coheres and stands unite like a Pearl, yet remains not fixed, but slides gently off, in proportion to the turning of the Hand, leaving the place a little stained: Or if putting a Hair therein, it stick to it, the Consistence is said good, if it run down it is thin. It must be sweet also, of an insipid not sugared sweetness, peculiar to all Milk: Free of all Acrimony, Bitterness, Acidity, and Saltness: And smell sweetly, casting out at least some little thing of a pleasant smell, and have no sour stinking or bad Scent, as in Some. It must have also a good or Milky Colour, a bluish or pale white: Yet the more bright and purer white the better. As to the Form of her Paps, they are required indifferent big, fleshy, firm, yet not dense, neither flaggy, pond●●ous and hanging, as Some who have them the length of their Bellies, or can turn them over their Shoulders: Full of many big and soft Glanduls, streams of large and patent Vessels: And must not be wrinkled, nor have any External Blemish. The nipples must be of a middle Magnitude and Length, for the Infants Mouth, being a Funel to convey the Milk thereinto: of a moderate firmness, yet not hard or griftly: Must be sound also and entire, well hole, easily sucked. It is required moreover to a good Nurse, that she be not in use to Part, and been brought to Bed at full time, of a lively Boy, the 2d. also or 3d. and so have given proof: fully also cleansed, well settled and recovered of Child-Bed: A Mouth at least after Labour: Yet the Milk not older: Careful so far as possible, that her Delivery, and the Birth of the Child she is to Nurse fall near together; for that a more serous and thinner Milk is best for new born Infants, that it may purge the more: While an old Milk is grosser and so less apt: But this is mostly neglected, so that one and the same Nurse is sometimes continued still for the next Child also, giving it only for cleansing, Syrup of Violets, or Roses: Or oil of sweet Alm●nds with Sugar. A Nurse however with these Properties may well be preferred, yea. for a Prince; Providing still she keep a regular diet, or use good wholesome Victuals, of convenient juice and Temperature and here are Physitians no less concerned then in their Election, the goodness of the Milk, and the Infants welfare, as well as their own depending thereon) abstaining the more hot Aliments, and Drink, or liquours exceedingly wa●ming: These also which are of hard digestion: Victuals likewise colder then ought, of indefecate impure Ju●ces. All things moreover which are of bad digestion, or any wise Intemperate: And must also keep good Order and due Mediocrity in sleeping and waking, Exercise and Motion and the rest. If beside, she fall sickly and indisposed, or her Milk any way altered and vicious, she best be removed, for that a bad Milk can never be mended, save when it happens so by ill diet.  
These are the things most Courteous Reader, which I have observed, and collected here and there, as they have been profitably delivered by many: which also I have for my intended brevity▪ thus prepared, and was willing to publish, for the utility and welfare of bearing Women and Infants: Which if well liked, I may haply yet publish more of that kind for the public good. Or if any Others of more egregious Gifts of Mind, would by their finer engine, polish and trim this Course and Imperfect Work, and render it more complete, they might never repent the Enterprise, being so necessar to Mankind, so glorious and profitable to themselves: According as other excellent Men, and eminent in the Medical Art, have as to this part thereof, left very famous Monuments of their engine, and published it at several times: And I be ●ure should take it well: in the mean time use these to the best advantage till better come.   
The End.   

A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS.  

BOOK I.  

OF various Diseases and Indispositions of Women with Child, from their Conception to the full term of Labour. page. 1.  
Chap. 1. Of the Fertility and Sterility of Women. p. 2.  
Chap. 2. Of Conception. p. 9.  
Chap. 3. Of Signs of Conception, p. 16.  
Chap. 4. Of the Infants Formation. p. 20.  
Chap. 5. Of a True and False big Belly and their Signs. p. 29.  
Chap. 6. How to know the different Times, and the true Term of Pregnancy. p. 33.  
Chap. 7. If a Woman go with Boy or Girl, and if she have more then one. p. 38.  
Chap. 8: Of Superfaetation, p. 41.  
Chap. 9. Of a Mole. p. 44.  
Chap. 10. Of a right Government in Pregnancy against bad Accidents▪ p. 49.  
Chap. 11. Of ●regnant Womens Vomitings. p. 59.  
Chap. 12. Of pains in their Back, Reins, Hips, and groins. p. 64.  
Chap. 13. Of pains of their Breasts. p. 66.  
Chap. 14. Of ●ncontinency and Difficulty of Urine. p. 67.  
Chap. 15. Of a Cough and difficult Breathing. p. 70.  
Chap. 16. Of the swelling and Pains of their Thighs and Legs. p. 75.  
Chap. 17. Of the hemorrhoids. p. 78.  
Chap. 18. Of Pregnant Women's Belly Fluxes. p. 82.  
Chap. 19. Of their Courses, of Flooding and Whites. p. 88.  
Chap. 20. Of the weight, or bearing down of the Womb. p. 94.  
Chap. 21. Of the dropsy of the Womb, and Oedematous swelling of the Lips of the Privities. p. 96.  
Chap. 22. Of the Venereal Disease in Pregnant Women. p. 100.  
Chap. 23. Of Abortion: p. 102.    

BOOK II.  

Of Labours Natural and Unnatural, with the best and most effectual Ways and Means of delivery in either. p. 110.  
Chap. 1. Of Labours Natural and Unnatural.  
Chap. 2. Of the Signs Antecedent and Concomitant, of a Natural Labour and the Non-natural. p. 1●6.  
Chap. 3. Of the Membranes and Waters enclosed therein. p. 121.  
Chap. 4. Of the Burden and Navel-string. p. 130.  
Chap. 5. Of the various Situations of the Infant in the Womb. p. 144.  
Chap. 6. What the big Woman is to do when her Time draws near. p. 148.  
Chap. 7 What must be done when the Woman falls in Labour. p. 151.  
Chap. 8. The manner of expeding a natural Labour, of one, or more Children. p. 158.  
Chap. 9. How to fetch away the After-burden. p. 162.  
Chap. 10. Of the Causes and Cures of bad and unnatural Labours. p. 165.  
Chap. 11. The way of manual Operation in unnatural Labours. p. 173.  
Chap. 12. Signs if the Child be dead or alive. p. 177.  
Chap. 13. How to fetch the After-birth, when the String is broken. p. 180.  
Chap. 14. Of bringing a Child footling. p. 186.  
Chap. 15. How to do, when the Head thrusts out the neck of the W●mb before it. p. 194.  
Chap. 16. How to fetch a Child, when coming right it stops, being too big, or the Way straight▪ p. 196.  
Chap. 17. The way of delivery when a Child presents the side of the Head, the Cheek or Face. p. 198.  
Chap. 18. Of Delivery, when the Womb closeth about the Neck, after the Head is born. p. 200.  
Chap. 19. Of a Delivery, when one or both Hands come with the Head, or when the one or both Hands offer alone. p. 201.  
Chap. 20. Of a Delivery, when Hands and Feet offer together. p. 204.  
Chap. 21. Of a Delivery, when the Knees offer. p. 205.  
Chap. 22. Of the Delivery, when a Shoulder offers, the Back, or Buttocks. p. 208.  
Chap. ●3. Of a Delivery, when the Breast, Belly, or Side presents. ibid.  
Chap. 24. Of the Delivery. when several Infants present together in some of these different Postures. p. 210.  
Chap. 25. Of Delivery where String or Burden comes first. p. 214.  
Chap. 26. Of Floodings and Convulsions in Labour. p. 217.  
Chap. 27. Of the Delivery when a Child is Hydropical or monstrous. p. 220.  
Chap. 28. Of Delivering of a dead Child. p. 221.  
Chap. 29. Of extracting a Mole and false Conception. p. 225.  
Chap. 30. Of the Caesarean· Section. p. 227.    

BOOK III.  

Of Women in Child-bed, and of Children new born, with the various Indispositions and Diseases incident to both.  
Chap. 1. Of ordering a Woman new laid and naturally delivered. p. 234.  
Chap. 2. Of Applications to her Birth, Belly, and Breasts. p. 237.  
Chap. 3. How to govern Women in Child-Bed, when there is no ill Accident. p. 243.  
Chap. 4. How to put away the Milk from these who give not Suck. p. 247.  
Chap. 5. Of Child-bed Cleansings. p. 249.  
Chap. 6. Of Floodings, or an immoderate Flux of the Cleansings. p. 253.  
Chap. 7. Of the Suppression of Child-bed Cleansings. p. 259.  
Chap. 8. Of the Prolapse of Womb and Fundament. p. 265.  
Chap. 9. Of Bruises and Rents of the Birth, or outward parts of the Womb. p. 276.  
Chap. 10. Of after-pains or Grinding. p. 278.  
Chap. 11. Of Inflammation of the Womb after Labour. p. 284.  
Chap. 12▪ Of a Belly Flux after Labour. p. 289.  
Chap. 13. Of tumours and Ruptures of the Belly and others. p. 291.  
Chap. 14. Of Inflammation of new-lighter Womens Breasts. p. 294.  
Chap. 15. Of the Curdling and Clodding of the Milk. p. 298.  
Chap. 16. Of apostemes of the Breasts. p. 301.  
Chap. 17. Of Excoriations and loss of the Nipples. p. 304.  
Chap. 18. Of the fevers of Child-Bed Women. p. 307.  
Chap. 19. Of right ordering and dressing New-born Infants. p. 312.  
Chap. 20: Of dieting and ordering the New-born Infants. p. 324.  
Chap. 21. Of Infants weakness when born. p. 332.  
Chap. 22. Of Contusions and Hurts of the Head and other Parts. p. 334.  
Chap. 23. Of the Mould and Sutures of the Head being too open. p. 337.  
Chap. 24. Of the closed Fundament. p. 341.  
Chap. 25. Of Cutting the Tongue when tied. p. 344.  
Chap. 26. Of Pains and Gripes of the Belly. p. 346.  
Chap. 27. Of the Inflammation, Ulceration, shooting forth and rapture of the Navel. p. 3●9.  
Chap. 28. Of Infants Scaldings. p. 352.  
Chap. 29. Of Ulcers of the Mouth. p. 353.  
Chap. 30. Of Teething. p. 356.  
Chap. 31. Of Infants Looseness. p. 360.  
Chap. 32. Of Infants Vomitings. p. 362.  
Chap. 33. Of Epilepsy and Convulsion. p. 364.  
Chap. 34. Of Infants Ruptures. p. 369.  
Chap. 35. Of Scabs on the Heads and Faces of Infants. p. 372.  
Chap. 36. Of the Small Pox and Meazils. p. 374.  
Chap. 37. Of the Venereal Pox. p. 381.  
Chap. 38. From keeping of Infants from being Glied, Awry, Crooked, or Lame. p. 384.  
Chap. 39. Of a Nurse. p. 387.    
FINIS.