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This WORK will be displayed under the following Heads: Situation Extent Latitude Longitude Roads Battles Sieges Skirmishes Civil Commotions Trading and other Com- panies Civil, Ecclesiastical, and Military Offices Earthquakes, Storms Inundations, and other singular Occurrences Rocks Mines Grottos Fossils Fishes Insects Reptiles Amphibious Creatures Castles Military Ways Docks, Harbours Markets, Fairs Canals, Buildings Fortifications Palaces, Seats Parks, Bridges Cathedrals, Collegiate and Parish Churches Monuments Ecclesiastical and Civil Jurisdictions Corporations Customs, Manners, &c. Handicrafts stance by which the Lives of remarkable Personages may he thought worthy of being communicated to the Public, and commemorated to Posterity Government Manufactures, Trade, Commerce, Revenues, Forces, Naval, and Military Polity, Power and Pre- rogative of the King Laws and Customs of the House of Lords Privileges and Usages of the House of Commons The Effigies of a Maid all Hairy, and an Infant that was born Black, by the Imaginations of the Parents. ARISTOTLE'S MASTER - PIECE COMPLEATED In Two PARTS. The First containing the secrets or Generation, in all the Parts thereof. TREATING Of the Benefit of Marriage, and the prejudice of unequal Matches, signs of Insufficiency in Men or Women: Of the infusion of the Soul: Of the like- ness of Children to Parents: Of monstrous Births. The Cause and Cure of the Green Sickness, a Dis- course of Virginity. Directions and Cautions for Midwives. Of the Organs of Generation in Wo- men, and the Fabric of the Womb. The Use and Action of the Genitals. Signs of Conception, and whether a Male or Female; with a word of Advice to both Sexes in the Act of Copulation. And the Pictures of several monstrous Births, &c. The Second PART being, A Private Looking-glass for the Female Sex. Treating of the various Maladies of the Womb, and all other Distempers incident to Women of all Ages, with proper Remedies for the Cure of each. The whole being more Correct than any thing of this kind hitherto Published. GLASGOW: PRINTED IN THE YEAR. MDCCLXXVI. (4) I'VE read this useful tract and therein find The lively strokes of Aristotle's Mind And they that do with understanding read Will find it is a Master Piece indeed: For on this subject there is none can write, At least so well as our great Stagyrite, He Nature’s Cabinet hath open laid. And her abstrusest Secrets here display'd; Here modest Maids, and Women being ill, Have got a Doctor to advice with still, Where they mayn't only their Distemper see, But find a sure and proper Remedy For each Disease, and every Condition; And have no other need of a Physician; For which good end I'm sure it was design'd, And may the Reader the advantage find. WILLIAM SALMON. THE (5) The INTRODUCTION. IF one of the meanest capacity were ask’d, What was the Wonder of the world? I think the most proper answer would be, Man. He being the little world, to whom all things are subordinate; agreeing in the genius with sensitive things; all being animals, but differing in the species. For man alone is en- dowed with reason. And therefore the Deity at man’s creation, (as the inspired Pen-man tells us) said, ‘Let us make Man ' in our own image, after our own likeness.’ As if the Lord had said, Let us make man in our image, that he may be (as a creature may be) like Us, and the same in his likeness may be our image, some of the Fathers do distinguish, as if by image the Lord doth plant the reasonable powers of the soul, reason, will and memory; and by Likeness, the qualities of the mind, charity, Justice, Patience, &c. But Moses confounded this distinction, (if you compare these texts of Scripture) Gen. i. 17. and v. i. Colhoff. x. Eph. v. 14. And the apostle where he saith, 'He ‘was created after the image of God, in knowledge, 'and the same in righteousness and ho 'Ines's.’ The Greeks there represent him, as one turning his eyes upwards towards him, whose image and superscripti- on the bears. See how the heaven's high architect Hath fram'd Man in this wise, To stand, to go, to look erect, With body, face, and eyes. And Cicero says, like Moses, All creatures were made to rot on the earth, except man, to whom was given an upright frame to contemplate his Maker, and behold that mansion prepared for him above. A3 Now 6 The Introduction. Now to the end that so noble and glorious a crea- ture might not quite perish, it pleased the Creator to give unto woman the field of generation for a recep- tacle of human seed; whereby that natural and vege- table soul, which lies potentially in the seed, may by the plastic power be reduced into act: That man who is a mortal creature by leaving his off-spring be- hind him, may become immortal, and survive in his posterity; And because this field of generation, the womb is the place where this excellent creature is formed, and that in so wonderful a manner, that the royal Psalmist (having meditated thereon) cries out as one in ecsta- sy, ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ It will be very necessary to treat largely thereon in this book, which, to that end, is divided into two parts: The First whereof treats of the manner and parts of gene- ration in both sexes; for from the mutual desire they have to each other, which nature has implanted in them to that end, that delight which they take in the act of copulation, does the whole race of mankind proceed: And a particular account of what things are previous to that act, and also what are consequen- tial of it, and how each member concerned in it is a- dapted, and fitted to that work, to which nature has design’d it. And though in uttering of those things, something may be said which those that are unclean may make bad use of, and use it as a motive to stir up their bestial appetites; yet such may know this was never intended for them; nor do I know any reason that those sober persons for whose use this was meant, should want the help hereby designed them, because vain loose persons will be ready to abuse it. The second Part or this Treatise is wholly design- ed for the female sex, and does largely not only treat of the distempers of the womb, and the various causes, but also give you proper remedies for the cure of them: For such is the ignorance of most women, that when by any distemper those parts are afflicted, they neither know from whence it proceeds, nor The Introduction. 7 nor how to apply a remedy; and such is their modesty also, that they are unwilling to ask, that they may be informed. And for the help of such is this designed, for having my being from a woman I thought none had more right to the grapes than she that planted the vine. And therefore observing that among all diseases in- cident to the body, there are none more frequent and perilous, than those that do arise from the ill state of the womb, for thro’ the evil quality thereof, the heart, the liver, and the brain are affected, from whence the actions, vital, natural, and animal, are hurt; and the virtues concoctive, sanguificative, distributive, at- tractive, expulsive, retentive, with the red, are all weakened; so that from the womb, come convulsions, epilepsies, apoplexies, palsies and fevers, dropsies, malignant ulcers, &c. And there is no disease so bad, but may grow worse from the evil quality of it. How necessary therefore is the knowledge of these things, let every unprejudiced reader judge, for that many women labour under them, through their igno- rance and modesty (as I said before) woeful experience makes manifest: Here therefore (as in a mirror) they may be acquainted with their own distempers, and have suitable remedies, without applying themselves to physicians, against which they have so great re- luctance. A4 ARIS- (8) ARISTOTLE'S MASTER - PIECE COMPLEATED. PART the FIRST. CHAP. I. Of Marriage, and at what age Young Men and Virgins are capable of it: And why they so much desire it: Also, how long Men and Women are capable of having Children. THERE are very few (except some profess debauchees) but what will readily agree, that marriage is honourable to all, being ordain’d by heaven in paradise, and without which no man or woman can be in a capacity honestly to yield obedience to the first Law of the Creation, increase and multiply: And since it is natural in young peo- ple to desire these mutual embraces, proper to the marriage-bed, it behoves parents to look after their children, and when they find them inclinable to marriage, not violently to restrain their affections, and oppose their inclinations, (which instead of allay- ing them, makes them but the more impetuous) but rather provide such suitable matches for them, as may make their lives comfortable, lest the crossing of their inclinations should precipitate them to commit those follies that may bring an indelible stain upon their families. The Aristotle's Master-Piece, &c. 9 The inclinations of maids to marriage, is to be known by many symptoms, for when they arrive at puberty, which is about the 14th or 15th year of their age then their natural purgation's begin to flow, and the blood, which is no longer taken to augment their bodies, abounding, stirs up their minds to ve- nery; External causes also may incite them to it; for their spirits being bristle and inflamed, when they arrive at this age, it they eat hard salt things, and spices, the body becomes more and more heated, whereby the desire to venereal embraces is very great, and sometimes almost insuperable. And the use of this so much desired employment being denied to virgins, many times is followed by dismal conse- quences, as a green wesel colour, short breathings, trembling's of the heart, &c. But when they are married, and their venereal desires satisfied by the enjoyment of their husbands, those distempers va- nish, and they become more gay and lively than be- fore: Also, their eager staring at men, and affecting their company, shews that nature pushes them upon desiring coition, and their parents neglecting to get them husbands, they break through modesty, to sa- tisfy themselves in unlawful embraces. It is the same in brisk widows, who cannot be satisfied with- out the benevolence which their husbands used to give them. At the age of 14, the Menses in virgins begin to flow, when they are capable of conceiving, and con- tinue generally to 44, when they cease bearing, unless their bodies are strong and healthful, which sometimes - enables them to bear at 55. But many times the Menses proceed from some violence offer- ed to nature, or some morbific matter which often proves fatal to the party, and therefore these men that are desirous of issue, must marry women with- in the age aforesaid, or blame themselves if they meet with disappointments: Though, if an old man not worn out by diseases, and incontinency, marry brisk lively lass, there is hopes of his having chil- A5 dren 10 Aristotle's Master-Piece, dren to threescore and ten, nay, sometimes till four- score. Hippocrates holds, that a youth at 15 years, or between that and 17, having much vital strength, is capable of getting children; and also, that the force and heat of procreating matter, increases till 45, 50, and 55, and then begins to flag, the seed by degrees becoming unfruitful, the natural spirits being extin- guished, and the humours dried up. Thus in gene- ral, but as to particulars, it often falls out otherwise. Nay, it is reported by a credible author, that in Swede land, a man was married at a 100 years, to a bride of 30, and had many children by her, but his countenance was so fresh, that such as knew him not, took him not to exceed 50. And in Campania where the air is clear and temperate, men of 80 years old, marry young virgins, and have children by them; shewing that age in them hinders not procreation, unless they be exhausted in their youth, and their yards shrivel’d up. If any would know why a woman is sooner barren than a man, they may be assured, that the natural heat, which is the cause of generation, is more pre- dominant in the latter, than in the former: For since a woman is truly more most than man, as her month- ly purgation's demonstrate, as also the softness of her body; it is also apparent, that he doth not exceed her in her natural heat, which is the chief thing that concocts the humours into proper aliment, which the woman wanting, grows fat, when a man thro’ his native heat, melts his fat by degrees, and his hu- mours are dissolved, and by the benefit thereof are e- laborated into seed. And this may also be added that women generally are not so strong as men, nor so wise and prudent, nor have so much reason and in- ingenuity in ordering affairs; which shews that there- by their faculties are hindered in operations. CHAP. Part I. Completed. 11 CHAP. II. How to get a male or female child, and of the em- bryo and perfect birth; with the fittest time for copulation. WHEN a young couple are married, they natu- rally desire children, and therefore use those means that nature has appointed to that end: But notwithstanding their endeavours, they must know the success of all depends on a blessing of the Lord; not only so, but the sex, whether male or female, is from his disposal also: Though it cannot be denied, but secondary causes have influence therein, especial- ly two, First, The genital humour, which is brought by the Arteria Præparantes, to the Testes, in the form of blood, and there elaborated into feed, by the seminifical faculty residing in them; To which may be added the desire of coition, which fires the imaginations with unusual fancies, and by the sight of brisk charming beauty, may soon inflame the ap- petite: But if nature be enfeebled, such meats must be eaten as will conduce to the affording such aliment as makes the feed abound and restores the decays of nature, that the faculties may freely operate, and re- move impediments obstructing the procreation of children. Then since diet alters the evil state of the body to a better, those who are subject to barrenness, must eat such meats as are of good juice, that nourish well, making the body lively, and full of sap, of which faculty are all hot moist meats: For accord- ing to Galen, seed is made of pure concocted, and windy superfluity of blood, where we may conclude there is a power in many things to accumulate seed, also to augment it, and other things of force to cause erection, as hen-eggs, pheasants, wood-cocks, gnat-snappers, thrushes, black-birds, young pigeons, sparrows, partridges, capons, almonds, pine-nuts, raisins, currants, all strong wines, taken sparingly, A6 especial- 12 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, especially those made of the grapes of ltaly. But erection is chiefly caused by scuram, eringoes, cres- ses, erysmon, parsnips, artichokes, turnips, rapes, asparagus, candied ginger, galings, acorns bruised to powder, drank in muscadel, scallion, sea-shell- fish, &c. But these must have time to perform their operation, and you must use them for a consider- able time, or you will reap but little benefit by them. The act of coition being over, let the wo- man repose herself on the right side, with her Head lying low, and her body declining, that by sleep- ing in that posture, the cawl on the right side of the matrix may prove the place of the conception, for therein is the greatest generative heat, which is the chief procuring cause of male children, and rarely fails the expectation of those that experience it, e- specially if they do but keep warm without much motion, leaning to the right, and drinking a little spirit of saffron, and juice of hyssop in a glass of ma- laga, or alicant, when they ly down and arise, for the space of a week. For a female child, let a woman lye on the left side, strongly fancying a female in the time of pro- creation, drinking the decoction of female mercury four days, from the first day of purgation, the male mercury having the like operation in case of a male: For this concoction purges the right and left side of the womb, opens the receptacles, and makes way for the seminary of generation to beget a female, the best time is, when the moon is in the wane, in Libra or Aquarius. Advicene says, “ When the "Menses are spent, and the womb cleansed, which “is commonly in five, or seven days at most, if a “man lie with his wife from the first day she is "purged, to the fifth, she will conceive a male, but "from the fifth to the eight, a female: and from the "eight to the twelfth, a male again. But after that, "perhaps neither distinctly; but both in a Herma- "phrodite.” In a word, they that would be hap- py in the fruits of their labour, must observe to use copulation Part I. Completed. 13 copulation in a due distance of time, not too often, nor too seldom, for both are alike hurtful; and to use it Immediately, weakens and wastes their spirits, and spoils the seed; and thus much for the first particular. The second is to let the reader know how the child is formed in the womb, what accident it is liable to there, how nourished and brought forth. There are various opinions concerning this mat- ter: Therefore I will shew what the learned say a- bout it’: Man consists of an egg, which is impregnat- ed in the Testicles of the woman, by the more subtle part of man’s seed, but the forming faculty and virtue in the seed, is a Divine gift, it being a- bundantly endued with a vital spirit, which gives sap and form to the embryo: So that all parts and bulk of the body, which is made up in few months, and gradually formed into the lovely fi- gure of a man, do conflict in and are adumbrated thereby, which is incomparably expressed in the cxxxviii, Psalm, 'I will praise thee, O Lord, be- 'cause I am wonderfully made, &c.’ And the phy- sicians have flighted four different times, wherein a man is framed and perfected in the womb, the first moon after coition being perfected in the first week, if no flux happens that sometimes falls out, through the slipperiness of the Matrix of the head thereof, that shifts over like a rose bud, and opens on a sud- den, by means of forming, is assigned to be, when nature makes manifest mutation in the conception, so that all the substance seems congealed flesh and blood which happens twelve or fourteen days after copulation. And though this fleshy mass abounds With fiery blood, yet it remains undistinguishable. without form or figure, and may be called an Em- bryo; and compared to seed sown in the ground which through heat and moisture grows by degrees into a perfect form, either in plant or grain. The third time assigned to make up this fabrick, is when the principal parts shew themselves plain; as the heart, whence proceed the arteries. The brain, from 14 Aristotle’s Master-piece, from which the nerves, like small threads, run thro’ the whole body, and the liver, that divides the chyle from the blood brought to it by the Vena Porta, the two first are fountains of life that nourish every part of the body, in framing which, the faculty of the womb is buried, from the time of conception, to the eight day of the first month. Lastly, About the thirtieth day, the outward parts are seen finely wrought, and distinguished by joints, when the child begins to grow, from which time, by reason the limbs are divided, and the whole frame is perfect, it is no longer an Embryo but a perfect child, most males are perfect by the thirtieth day, but females seldom till the forty-second or forty-fifth day because the heat of the womb, is greater in producing the male than female; and for the same reason a woman going with a male child, quickens in three months, but going with a female rarely un- der four, at which time also its hair and nails come forth, and the child begins to stir, kick, and move in the womb, and then women are troubled with loathing of their meat, and greedy longing for things that are contrary to nutriment, as coals, rubbish, chalk, &c. Which desire often occasions abortions and miscarriage, some women have been so extravagant as to long for hob-nails, leather, man’s-flesh, horse-flesh, and other unnatural as well as unwholesome food, for want of which things they have either miscarried, or the child has con- tinued dead in the womb for many days, to the e- minent hazard of their lives. But I shall now pro- ceed to shew by what real means the infant is sus- tained in the womb, and what posture it there remains in. Various are the opinions about nourishing the Fœtus in the womb, some say, by blood only, from the Umbilical vein, others by chyle, taken in by the mouth; but it is nourished diversely according to the several degrees of perfection, that an egg pas- ses from a conception to a Fœtus ready for birth. But Part I. Completed. 15 But first, let us explain the meaning of the Ovum or egg, in the generation of the Fœtus, there are two principles, active and passive; the active is the man's seed, elaborated in the Testicles, out of the arterial blood and animal spirits; the passive is an egg, impregnated by the man's seed. And the na- ture of conception is thus: The most spirituous part of man's seed, in the act of generation, reaching up to the Testicles of the woman, which contains divers eggs, impregnates one of them, which being convey- ed by the Oviducts to the bottom of the womb, pre- sently begins to swell bigger and bigger, and drinks in the moisture that is plentifully sent thither, as seeds suck moisture in the ground, to make them sprout out, when the parts of the Embryo begin to be a lit- tle more perfect, and that at the same time the Cho- rin is very thick, that the liquor cannot soak through it, the umbilical vessels begin to be formed, and to extend the side of the Amnion, which they pass through, and all through the Aliantreides and Chorin, and are implanted in the Placenta, which gathering upon the Chorin, joins to the Uterus. And now the arteries that before sent out the nourishment into the cavity of the womb, open by the orifice into the Pla- centa, where they deposited the said juice, which is drunk up by the umbilical vein, and conveyed by it, first to the liver of the Fœtus, and then to the heart, where its more thin and spirituous part is turned into blood, while the grosser part of it descending by the Aorta, enters the umbilical arteries and is discharg- ed into its cavity, by those branches that run through the Amnion. As soon as the mouth, stomach, gullet, &c. are formed so perfectly, that the Fœtus can swallow, it sucks in some of the grosser nutritious juice, that is deposited in the Amnion by the Umbilical arteries, which descending into the stomach and intestines, is received by the lacteal Veins, as in adult per- sons. The Fœtus being perfected, at the time before specified, 16 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, specified, in all its parts, it lies equally balanced in the womb, as the center on his head, and being long turned oval, so that the head a little inclines, and it lays its chin on its breast, its heels and ankles, upon its buttocks, its hands on its cheeks, and its thumbs to its eyes; but its legs and thighs are car- ried upwards, with its hams bending, so that they touch the bottom of its belly, the former, and that part of the body which is over against us, as the fore-head, nose, and face, are towards the mother’s back, and the head inclining downwards, towards the rump bone, that joins to the Os Sacrum, which bone together with the Os Pubis, in the time of birth, part is loosed; whence it is that male chil- dren commonly come with their faces downwards, or with their head turned somewhat Oblique, that their faces may be seen, but the female children, with their faces upwards; though sometimes it hap- pens, that births do not follow according to nature’s order, but children come forth with their feet stand- ing, their necks bowed, and their heads lying ob- lique; with their hands stretched out, which great- ly endangers themselves and the mother, giving the midwife great trouble to bring them into the world: But when all things proceed in nature’s order, the child when the time of birth is accom- plished, is desirous to come forth of the womb, and by inclining himself, he rowls downwards, for he can no more be obscured in those hidden places, and the heat of the heart cannot conflict without external respiration, whereof being grown great, more and more desirous of nutriment and light, when cover- ing the ætherial air, by struggling to obtain it, breaks the membranes and coverings, whereby he was restrained, and sensed against attrition; and for most part with bitter pangs of the mother, issucth forth into the world, commonly in the ninth month. For then the matrix being divided, and the Os Pu- bis loosened, the woman strives to call out her bur- den, and the child does the like to get forth, by the help Part I. Completed. 17 help of its inbred strength, and so the birth comes to be perfect; but if the child be dead, the more dangerous the delivery, though nature often helps the woman's weakness herein: But the child that is quick and lively, labours no less than the woman. Now there are births at seven or eight months, and some women go to the tenth month; but of these, and the reasons of them, I shall speak more largely in another place. CHAP. III. The reason why children are like their parents, and that the Mothers imaginations contribute there- to, and whether the Man or Woman is the cause of the male or female child. LActantius is of opinion, that when a man's seed falls on the left side of the womb; it may pro- cure a male child; but because it is the proper place for a female, there will be something in it, that re- sembles a woman; that is, it will be fairer, whiter, and smoother, not very subject to have hair on the body or chin; it will have lank hair on the head, the voice small and sharp, and the courage feeble; And the contrary, that a female may chance to be got- ten if the seed fail on the right side; but then through the abundance of heat, she shall be big bon'd, full of courage, having a masculine voice, and her chin and bottom hairy, not being so clear as others of that sex, and subject to quarrel with her husband for superiority. In case of similitude, nothing is more powerful than the imagination of the mother; for if the fasten her eyes upon any object, and imprint it on her mind, it ost times so happens, that the child in some part or other of its body, has a represen- tation thereof: And it in the act of copulation, the woman earnestly look upon the man, and fix her mind 18 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, mind upon him, the child will resemble its father. Nay, though a woman in unlawful copulation, yet if she fix her mind upon her husband, the child will re- semble him, though he never got it. The same ef- fect of imagination causes warts, strains, moth-spots, dates, though indeed they sometimes happen through frights, or extravagant longing; many women being with child, seeing a hare cross them, will through the force of imagination, bring forth a child with a hairy lip. Some children are born with flat noses, wry mouths, great blubber lips, and ill shaped bo- dies: and must ascribe the reason to the imagination of the mother, who hath cast her eyes and mind up- on some ill-shaped creature: Therefore it behoves all women with child if possible, to avoid such sights or at least not to regard them. But though the mo- ther’s imagination may contribute much to the fea- tures of the child, yet in manners, wit, and propen- sion of the mind, experience tells us, that children are commonly of the condition with their parents, and same tempers. But the vigour or disability or persons in the act of copulation, many times causes it to be otherwise: For children got through the heat and strength of desire, must needs partake more of the nature and inclination of their parents, than those that are begotten with desires more weak: And there- fore the children begotten by men in their old age, are generally weaker than those begotten by them in their youth. As to the share which each of the parents has in begetting the child, we will give the opinion of the ancients about it. Though it is apparent (say they) that the man’s seed is the chief efficient and beginning of action, motion and generation; yet that the woman affords seed, and effectually contributes in that point to the procreation of the child, is evinced by strong reasons. In the first place, seminary vessels had been given her in vain, and genital Testicles inver- ted, if the woman wanted seminal excrescence; for nature Part I. Completed. 19 nature doth nothing in vain; therefore we must grant, they are made for the use of seed and procre- ation, and fixed in their proper place, both the Tes- ticles and receptacles of seed, whose nature is to o- perate and afford virtue to the seed. And to prove this, there needs no stronger argument (say they) than, that if a woman do not use copulation to eject her seed, she often falls into strange diseases, as ap- pears by young women and virgins: A second reason they urge is, that although the society of a lawful bed conflicts not altogether in these things, yet it is apparent, the female sex are never better pleased, nor appear more blyth and jocund than when they are satisfied this way; which is an inducement to be- lieve, they have more pleasure and titulation therein than men. For, since nature causes much delight to accompany ejection, by the breaking forth of the swelling spirits, and the swiftness of the nerves; in which case, the operation on the woman’s part is double, she having an enjoyment both by ejection and reception, by which she is more delighted in the act. Hence it is (say they) that the child more fre- quently resembles the mother, than the father be- cause the mother contributes most towards it. And they think it may be further instanced, from the en- deared affection they bear them; for, that besides their contributing seminal matter, they feed, and nourish the child with the purest fountain of blood until its birth. Which opinion Galen affirms, by allowing children to participate most of the mo- ther, and ascribes the difference of sex to the opera- tion of the menstrual blood; but the reason of the likeness he refers to the power of the seed; for, as plants receive more nourishment from fruitful ground, than from the industry of the husbandman; so the infant receives in more abundance from the mother than the father. For first, The seed of both is cherished in the womb, and there grows to per- fection, being nourished with blood: And for this reason 20 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, reason it is (say they) that children for the most part love their mother belt, because they receive most of their substance from their mother: For about nine months, the nourishes her child in the womb, with her purely blood, then her love towards it newly born, and its likeness do clearly shew, that the woman af- fordeth seed, and contributes more towards making the child than the man. But in all this the ancients were very erroneous, for the Testicles (so called in women) afford not any seed but are two eggs, like those of fowls, and other creatures; neither have they any office as those of men, but are indeed Ovarian, wherein the eggs are nourished by the sanguinary vessels disper- sed through them, and from thence one or more (as they are fœcundated by the man’s seed) is sepa- rated and conveyed into the womb, by the oviducts. The truth of this is plain, for if you boil them, their liquor will be the same colour, taste and con- sistency, with the taste to birds eggs; if any object they have no shells, that signifies nothing; for the eggs of fowls, while they are in the ovary; nay af- ter they are fattened into the uterus, have no shell: And though when they are laid they have one, yet that is no more than a defense which nature has pro- vided them against any outward injury, while they are hatched without the body; whereas those of wo- men being hatched within the body, need no other fence than the womb, by which they are sufficiently secured. And this is enough, I hope, for the clearing of this point. As to the third thing proposed, as whence grows the kind, and whether the man or woman is the cause of the male or female infant. The primary cause we must ascribe to God, as is most justly his due, who is the ruler and disposer of all things, yet he suffers many things to proceed according to the rules of nature, which proceed by their inbred motion, according to usual and natural courses, without variation. Though indeed by fa- vour Part I. Completed. 21 vour from on high, Sarah conceived Isaac, Hannah, Samuel, and Elizabeth, John the Baptist: But these were all very extraordinary things, brought to pass by a Divine Power, above the course of nature: Nor have such instances been wanting in latter days; therefore I shall wave them, and proceed to speak of things natural. The ancient physicians and philoso- phers say, That since there are two principles out of which the body of man is made, and which render the child like the parents, and by one or the other sex, viz. Seed common to both sexes, and menstru- al blood proper to the woman only, the similitude (say they) must needs consist in the force and virtue of the male or female: So that it proves like the one or the other, according to the plenty afforded by either; but that the difference of the sex is not re- ferred to the seed, but to the menstrual blood which is proper to the woman, is apparent: For were that force altogether retained in the seed, the male seed being of the hottest quality, male children would a- bound, and few of the female be propagated; Wherefore the sex is attributed to the temperament of the active qualities, which consists in heat and cold, and the nature of the matter under them; that is, the flowing of the menstrual blood; but now the seed (say they) affords both force to procreate and form the child, and matter for its generation; and, in the menstrual blood there is both matter and force; for as the seed most helps the material prin- ciple, so also does the menstrual blood the potential seed; which is (says Galen) blood well concocted by the vessels that contain it. So that blood is not only the matter of generating the child, but also seed in possibility that menstrual blood hath both prin- ciples. The ancients further say, That the seed is the stronger efficient; the matter of it being very lit- tle in quantity, but the potential quality of it is very strong: Wherefore if these principles of gene- ration, according to which the sex is made, were only 22 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, only (say they) in the menstrual blood then would the children be all mostly females; as, were the effi- cient force in the seed, they would be all males; but since both have operation in menstrual blood, mat- ter predominates in quantity; and in the seed force and virtue. And therefore Galen thinks the child receives its sex rather from the mother, than from the father; for though his seed contributes a little to the material principle, yet it is more weakly. But for likeliness it is referred rather to the father, than to the mother. Yet the woman’s seed receiving strength from the menstrual blood, for the space of nine months, over-powers the man’s as to that par- ticular; for the menstrual blood flowing in the ves- sels, rather cherishes the one than the other; from which it is plain, the woman affords both matter to make, and force and virtue to perfect the concepti- on; though the female’s seed be fit nutriment for the male’s, by reason of the thinness of it, being more adapted to make up conception thereby. For as of soft wax and moist clay, the artificer can frame what he intends, so say they, the man’s feed mix- ing with the woman’s, and also with the menstrual blood, helps to make the form and perfect part of man. But with all imaginable deference to the wisdom of our fathers, give me leave to say, that their ignorance in the anatomy of man’s body, has led them into the paths of error, and run them into great mistakes, for their hypothesis of the formation of the embryo from cotomixture of seed, and the nourishment of it too in the menstrual blood, being wholly false, their opinion in this case, must of necessity be so also. I shall therefore conclude this chapter, and only say, that although a strong imagination of the mother may often determine the sex, yet the main agent in this case is the plastic or formative principle, which is the efficient in giving form to the child, which gives it this or that sex, according to those laws and rules Part I. Completed. 23 rules given to us by the wise Creator of all things, who both makes and fashions it, and therein deter- mines the sex according to the council of his own will. CHAP. IV. A discourse of Man's soul, that it is not propagat- ed by the Parents, but is infused by its Creator, and can neither die nor corrupt. At what time it is infused, of its immortality, and certainty of the resurrection. MAN’s soul is of so divine a nature and excel- lency, that man himself cannot in any wise comprehend it, it being the infused breath of the Al- mighty, of an immortal nature, and not to be com- prehended but by him that gave it. For Moses by holy inspiration, relating the original of man, tells us, 'That God breathed into his nostrils the breath 'of life, and he became a living soul.’ Now as for other creatures, at his word they were made and had life; but the creature God had appointed to set over his works, was the peculiar workmanship of the Almighty, forming him out of the dust of the earth, and condescending to breathe into his nostrils the breath of life, which seems to denote more care and (if we may so term it) labour used about man, than about all other creatures, he only partaking and par- ticipating of the blessed divine nature, bearing God’s image in innocence and purity; whilst he stood firm, and when by his fall that lively image was defaced, yet such was the love of his Creator towards him, that he found out a way to restore him; the only be- gotten Son of the eternal Father, coming into the world to destroy the works of the devil, and to raise up man from that low condition, to which his sin and fall had reduc’d him, to a state above that of angels. If therefore man would understand the excel- lency 24 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, lency of his soul, let him turn his eyes inwardly and look into himself, and search diligently his own mind; and there he shall see many admirable gifts and excellent ornaments, that must needs possess him with wonder and amazement, as Reason, Un- derstanding, Freedom of Will, Memory, &c. That plainly shew the soul to be descended from a hea- venly original, and that therefore it is of an infinite duration, and not subject to annihilation. Yet for its many offices and operations whilst in the body, it goes under several denominations; For when it enlivens the body, it is called the soul; when it gives knowledge, the judgment or mind; and when it recalls things past, the memory; whilst it dis- courses and discerns, reason; whilst it contem- plates, the spirit; whilst it is the sensitive parts, the senses. And these are the principal offices, where- by the soul declares its power, and performs its action, for being seated in the highest parts of the body, it diffuseth its force into every member; not propagated from the parents, nor mixt with gross matter; but the infused breath of God immedi- ately proceeding from him, not passing from one to another, as was the opinion of Pythagoras, who held a transmigration of the soul, but that the soul is given to every infant by infusion, is the most re- ceived and orthodox opinion; and the learned do likewise agree, that this is done when the infant is perfected in the womb, which happens about the twenty fourth day after conception, especially for males, who are generally born at the end of nine months; but in females, who are not so soon formed and perfected, through defect of heat, not till the fiftieth day. And though this day, in all cases, cannot be truly set down, yet Hippocrates has given his opinion, when the child hath its present form, when it begins to move, and when born, if in due season: In his book of the Nature of Infants, he says, If it be a male, and he be perfect on the thirtieth day, and move on the ninetieth, he will be born Part I. Completed. 25 born at the seventh month: But if he be perfectly formed on the thirty-fifth day, he will move on the seventieth and be born in the eighth month. Again if he be perfectly formed on the fifty-fifth day, he will move on the ninetieth, and be born in the ninth month. Now from these passing of days and months, it plainly appears, that the day of forming being doubled, makes up the day of moving, and that day three times reckoned, makes up the day of birth. As thus, when thirty-five perfects the form, if you double it, makes seventy, the day or motion, and three times seventy amount to two hundred and ten days, which allowing thirty days to a month, makes seven months; and so you must consider the rest. But as to a female, the case is different, for it is longer perfecting in the womb, the mother ever going longer with a boy than a girl, which makes the account differ; for a female formed in thirty days, moves not till the seventieth day, and is born the eighth month: When she is formed on the fortieth, she moves not till the eightieth, and is born the eighth month: But if she be perfectly formed on the fifty-fifth day, she moves on the ninetieth, and is born on the ninth month: but if she that is formed on the sixtieth day, moves the hundred and tenth, and will be born on the tenth month. I treat the more largely hereof, that the reader may know, the seasonable soul is not propagated by the parents, but is infused by the Almighty, when the child hath its perfect form, and is exactly distinguished in its li- neaments. Now as the life of every other creature, as Moses shews, is in the blood; so the life of man consisteth in the soul, which although subject to passion, by reason of the gross composures of the body, in which it has a temporary confinement; yet it is im- mortal, and cannot in itself corrupt, or suffer change, it being a spark of the Divine Mind; and that every man has a peculiar soul, plainly appears by the vast B dif- 26 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, difference between the Will, Judgment, Opinion, Manners, Affections, in men. And this David ob- serves, saying, ‘God hath fashioned the hearts and ‘minds of all men, and has given to every one his 'own being, and a soul of its own nature.’ Hence Solomon rejoiced, that God had given him a hap- py soul, and a body agreeable to it. It has been dis- puted among the learned, in what part of the body the soul resides; and some are of opinion, its resi- dence is in the middle of the heart, and from thence communicates itself to every part, which Solomon in the fourth of the Proverbs, seems to affirm, when he says, ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out 'of it are the issues of life.’ But many curious physicians, searching the works of nature, in man’s anatomy, do affirm, that its chief seat is in the brain, from whence proceed the senses, faculties and actions, diffusing the operation of the soul through all parts of the body; whereby it is enli- vened with heat and force to the heart, by the arte- ries, corodities, or sleepy arteries ; which part upon the throat, the which if they happen to be broken or cut, they cause barrenness; and if stopped, an apoplexy: For there must necessarily be ways, through which the spirits, animal and vital, may have intercourse, and convey native heat from the soul. For though the soul has its chief seat in one place, it operates in every part, exercising every Member, which are the soul’s instruments by which she discovers her power. But if it happen that any of the organically parts are out of tune, its whole work is confused, as appears in idiots and mad-men, though in some of them, the soul by a vigorous ex- erting its power, recovers its innate strength, and they become right after a long despondency in mind; but in others it is not recovered again in this life. For as fire under ashes, or the sun obscured from our sight by thick clouds, afford not their full lustre, so the soul overwhelmed in moist or morbick matter is darkened, and reason thereby over-cloud- ed, Part I. Completed. 27 ed, and though reason shines less in children than in such as are arrived to maturity, yet no man must i- magine that the soul in an infant grows up with the child, for then would it again debay; but it suits it- self to nature’s weakness, and the imbecility of the body wherein it is placed, that it may operate the better. And as the body is more and more capable of receiving its influence, so the soul does more and more exert its faculties, having force and endowments at the time it enters the form of a child in the womb, for its substance can receive nothing less. And thus much to prove that the soul comes not from the pa- rents, but is infused by God: I shall next prove its immortality, and so demonstrate the certainty of our resurrection. That the soul of man is a Divine Ray, infused by the Sovereign Creator, I have already proved, and now come to shew that whatever immediately pro- ceeds from him, and participates of his nature, must be as immortal as its original; for though all other creatures are endued with life and motion, yet they want a reasonable soul; and from thence it is conclud- ed, that their life is in their blood, and that being corruptible, they perish and are no more: But man being endowed with a reasonable soul, and stamped with the Divine Image, is of a different nature; and though his body be corruptible, yet his foul being of an immortal nature, cannot perish; but must at the dissolution of his body, return to God who gave it, either to receive reward or punishment. Now that the body can sin of itself, is impossible; because wanting the soul, which is the principle of life, it cannot act, nor proceed to any thing either good or evil: for could it do so, it might sin even in the grave; but it is plain, that after death there is a ces- sation: For as death leaves us so judgment will find us. Now Reason having evidently demonstrated the soul's immortality, the holy scriptures do abundant- ly give testimony to the truth or the resurrection: B2 as 28 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, as the reader may see by perusing the fourteenth and ninth chapters of Job, and the fifth of St. John, I shall therefore leave the further discoursing of this matter to Divines, whose proper province it is, and return to treat of the works of nature. CHAP. V. Of Monsters, and monstrous births, and the seve- ral reasons thereof, according to the opinion of the ancients also whether monsters are endowed with reasonable souls; and whether devils can ingender is briefly here discussed. BY the ancients, monsters are ascribed to depraved conceptions, and are designed to be excursions of nature, which are vicious one of these four ways; ei- ther in figure, magnitude, situation, or number. In figure, when a man bears the character of a beast, as did the beast in Saxony. In magnitude, when one part doth not equalize with another. As when one part is too big or too little for the other parts of the body: And this is do common among us, I need not produce a testimony for it. I proceed to the cause of their generation, which is either Divine or Natural: The Divine cause pro- ceeds from God's permissive will, suffering parents to bring forth abominations for their filthy and corrupt affections, which are let loose unto wicked- ness like brute beasts that have no understanding. Wherefore it was enacted among the ancient Ro- mans, that those which were any ways deformed should not be admitted into religious houses. And St. Jerome was grieved in his time, to see the de- formed and lame offered up to God in religious houses. And Keckerman by way of inference, ex- cludeth all that are ill-shaped, from this presbyterian function in the church. And that which is of more force Part I. Compleated. 29 Of this kind was the monster born at Ravenna in Italy, in the year 1512. B3 In 30 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, In situation; as if the ears were on the face, and the eyes on the breast or leg. In Part I. Completed. 31 In number when a man hath two heads, or four hands. Of this kind was the monster born at Nazara in the year 1530. B4 32 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, force than all. God himself commanded Moses not to receive such to offer sacrifice among his people, and he renders the reason, Lev. xxi. 28. ‘Lest he 'pollute my sanctuaries.' Because the outward de- formity of the body, is often a sign of the pollutions of the heart, as a curse laid upon the child for their parents incontinency: Yet it is not always so, let us therefore duly examine, and search out the natural cause of their generation; which (according to the ancients, who have dived into the secrets of nature) is either in the matter, or in the agent, in the seed, or in the womb. The matter may be in default two ways, by de- fect, or by excess: By defect, when the child hath but one arm. By excess, when it hath three hands, or two heads. Some monsters are begot by women unnatural lying with beasts, as in the year 1603, there was a monster begotten by a woman’s generating with a dog, which monster from the navel upwards had the perfect resemblance of its mother, but from its na- vel downwards it resembles a dog, as you may see here. The agent or womb, may be in fault three ways, 1st, In the formative faculty which may be too strong or too weak, by which is procured a depra- ved figure, 2dly, In the instrument, or place of conception, the evil conformation or disposition, whereof, will cause a monstrous birth. 3dly, In the imaginative power, at the time of conception, which is of such a force, it stamps the character of the thing imagined upon the child. So that the chil- dren of an adulteress, may be like unto her own husband, though begot by another man; which is caused through the force of the imagination which the woman hath of her own husband, in the act of coition; and I have heard of a woman, who at the time of conception, beholding the picture of a blackamoor, conceived and brought forth an Ethi- opian. I will not trouble you with more human testimonies Part I. Completed. 33 Some monsters are begotten by wo- men unnatural lying with beasts, as in the year 1603. There was a monster begotten by a woman’s generating with a dog which monster from the navel upwards had the perfect resemblance of its mother, but from its navel down- wards, it resembled a dog, as you may see here. B5 The 34 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, The matter may be in fault two ways, by defect, or by excess. By defect, when the child hath but one arm. By excess, when it hath three hands, or two heads. By Part I. Completed. 35 By this figure you see that though some of the Members be wanting, yet they are supplied by the other Members. B6 36 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, testimonies, but conclude with a stronger warrant. We read in Gen.xxx. 21. How Jacob having agreed with Laban, to have all the spotted sheep for keep- ing his flock, to augment his wages, took hazel rods, and peeled white strakes in them, and laid them be- fore, the sheep when they came to drink, and coupled together there, whilst they beheld the rods, conceiv- ed and brought forth spotted young. The imagination also works on the child after conception, for which we have a pregnant instance; a worthy gentlewoman in Suffolk, who being with child, and passing by her butcher killing her meat, a drop of blood sprang on her face, whereupon she said her child would have a blemish on the face, and at the birth it was found marked with a red spot. And it is certain that monstrous births often hap- pen by means of undue copulation, for some there are who having been long absent from one another, and have an eager desire for enjoyment, consider not as they ought to do what their circumstances are: And if it happen that they come together when the woman’s menses are flowing, will notwithstanding proceed to the act of copulation, which is both un- clean and unnatural; and the issue of such copulation does often prove monstrous, as a just punishment for lying together when nature forbids; and therefore, though men should be ever so eager for it, yet women, knowing their own conditions, should at such times refuse their company. And though such copulations do not always produce monstrous births, yet the children then gotten, are gene- rally heavy, dull and sluggish, and defective in their understandings, wanting the vivacity and liveliness which children got in proper seasons, are blessed withal. It remains that I now make some enquiry, whe- ther those that are born monsters have reasonable souls, and are capable of resurrection. And here both divines and physicians are generally of opi- nion, that those who according to the order of genera- Part I. Completed. 37 generation, deduced from our first parents, pro- ceed by natural means from either sex, though their outward shape may be deformed and monstrous; have notwithstanding a reasonable soul, and conse- quently their bodies are capable of a resurrection, as other men and women are; But those mon- sters that are not begotten by men, but are the product of woman’s unnatural lust, in copulating with other creatures; shall perish as the brute beasts by whom they were begotten, not having a reason- able soul, or any breath of the Almighty infused in- to it. And such can never be capable of a resurrection. And the same is also true of imperfect and abortive births. Some are of opinion, that monsters may be engen- dered by some infernal spirit. Of this mind was A- gidus Facius, speaking of a deformed monster born at Cracovia, and Hironemus Gardanus wrote of a maid that was got with child of a devil, she thinking it had been a fair young man: The like also is record- ed by Vincentius of the prophet Merlin, that he was begotten by an evil spirit. But what a repugnance would it be both to re- ligion and nature, if the devils could beget men; when we ate taught, to believe, that not any was e- ver begotten without human seed, except the Son of God. The devil then being a spirit, having no corporeal substance, has therefore no seed of gene- ration: To say that he can use the act in genera- tion effectually, is to affirm that he can make something of nothing, and consequently to affirm the devil to be God, for creation belongs to God only. Again if the devil could assume to himself a dead body and enliven the faculties of it, and make it able to generate, as some affirm he can, yet this body must bear the image of the devil: And it borders upon blasphemy to think that God should so far give leave to the devil, as out of God’s image to 38 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, By this figure you see that altho' they be born together, yet they act quite opposite to one another, so that you may see that it is manifest, they have separate spirits. Part I. Completed. 39 to raise his own diabolical offspring. In the school of nature we are taught the contrary, viz. That like begets like; therefore of a devil cannot man be born, yet it is not denied, but that devils transforming themselves into human shapes, may abuse both men and women, and with wicked people use carnal co- pulation; But that any such unnatural conjunction can bring forth a human creature; is contrary both to na- ture and religion. CHAP. VI. A discourse of the happy state of matrimony, as it is appointed by God, and the true felicity that redounds thereby to either sex; and to what end it is ordained. WITHOUT doubt, the uniting of hearts in ho- ly wedlock is of all conditions the happiest; for then a man has a second self, to whom he can unravel his thoughts, as well as a sweet compa- nion in his labour; he has one in whose breast as in a safe cabinet, he may repose his inmost secrets, especially where reciprocal love, and inviolate faith is settled; for there no care, fear, jealousy, mistrust, or hatred, can ever interpose. For what man ever hated his own flesh, and truly a wife if rightly con- sidered, as our grand-father Adam well observed, is or ought to be esteemed of every honest man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, &c. Nor was it the least care of the Almighty to ordain so near an union, and that for two causes, the first for increase of posterity, the second, to bridle and bind man's wandering desires and affections; nay, that they might be yet happier when God had joined them together, he blessed them, as it is in the 2d of Genesis. Columila contemplating this happy date tells out of the Oeconomy of Xenophon, that the marriage bed is not only the most pleasant, but Profitable course of life, that may be entered on for 40 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, for the preservation and increase of posterity: Where- fore since marriage is the most safe, sure and delight- ful station of mankind, who is exceeding prone by the dictates of nature, to propagate his like, he does in no ways provide amiss for his own tranquility, who enters into it, especially when he comes to maturity of years, for there are many abuses in marriage, con- trary to what is ordained, the which in the ensuing chapter I shall expose to view. But to proceed, see- ing our blessed Saviour and his holy apostles detected unlawful lust, and pronounced those to be excluded the kingdom of heaven, that polluted themselves with adultery and whoring; I cannot conceive what face persons can have to colour their impieties, who hat- ing matrimony, make it their study how they may live licentiously: But in so doing, they rather seek to themselves torment, anxiety, and disquietude, than certain pleasure, besides the hazard of their im- mortal soul: For certain it is, mercenary love, (or as the wife man calls them) harlot smiles, cannot be true and sincere, and therefore not pleasant, but ra- ther a net laid to betray such as trust in them, into all mischief as Solomon observes by the young man void of understanding, who turned aside to the har- lot’s house. As a bird to the snare of the fowler, or as an ox to the slaughter, till the dart be struck thro’ the liver. Nor in this case can they have children, those endearing pledges of conjugal affection; or if they have, they will rather redound to their shame than comfort, bearing the odious brand of bastards: Harlots likewise are like swallows flying in the sum- mer season of prosperity, but the black stormy wea- ther of adversity coming, they take wing and fly into other regions; that is, seek themselves other lovers; but a virtuous chaste wife, fixing her entire love upon her husband, and submitting to him as her head and king, by whose directions she ought to steer in all lawful courses; will like a faithful companion, share patiently with him in all adversities, run with cheer- fulness, through all difficulties and dangers though ever Part I. Completed. 41 ever so hazardous, to preserve or assist him in pover- ty, sickness, or whatever other misfortunes may be- fall him; acting according to her duty in all things. But a proud imperious harlot will do no more than she lists in the sun-shine of prosperity: And like a horse leech, ever craving, and never satisfied; still seeming displeased, if all her extravagant cravings be not answered; not regarding the ruin and misery she brings upon him by those means, though she seem to dote upon him, using to confirm her hypocrisy with crocodile’s tears, vows, and swooning; when her cully is to depart a while, or seems but to deny her immoderate desire; yet this lasts no longer than she can gratify her appetite and prey upon his fortunes, Remarkable is the story that Cornardus Gofner tells us, of a young man travelling from Athens to The- bes, who met by the way a beautiful lady, as to his appearance she seemed adorned with all perfections of beauty, glittering with gold and precious stones, this seeming fair one saluted him, and inviting him to her house not far off, pretending to be exceedingly ena- moured with him, and declared she had a long time Waited for an opportunity to find him alone, that she might reveal her passion to him. The young spark went with her, and when he came to her house, he found it to appearance built very stately, and very well furnished: Which so far wrought upon his cove- tous inclination, that he resolved to put off his intend- ed journey, and yield to her enticements; but whilst she was leading him to see the pleasant places adjoin- ing to the house, came by a holy pilgrim, who seeing in what danger the youth was, resolved to set him in his right senses, and shew him what he imagined real, was quite otherwise; so that by powerful prayer the mist was taken from before his eyes, who then be- held his lady ugly, deformed, and monstrous; and that whatever had appeared glorious and beautiful, was only trash. Then he made her confess what she was, and her design upon the young man; which she did, saying, She was one of the Lamiœ or fairies, and 42 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, and that she had thus enchanted him on purpose to get him into her power, that she might devour him. This passage may he fully, alluded to harlots, who draw those that follow their misguiding lights into the place of danger, till they have caused them to ship- wreck their fortunes, and then leave them to struggle with the storms of adversity that they have raised. Now on the contrary, a loving, chaste, and even temper’d wife, seeks what she may to prevent such dangers, and in every condition does all to make him easy. And in a word, as there is no content in the embraces of a harlot, so there is no greater joy than in the reciprocal affection and endearing embraces of a loving, obedient, and chaste wife. Nor is that the principal end for which matrimony was ordained, but that man might follow the law of his creation by the increasing his kind, and replenishing the earth: For this was the injunction laid upon him in Paradise be- fore his fall. To conclude, a virtuous wife is a crown and ornament to her husband, and her price is above rubies: But the ways of a harlot are de- ceitful. C H A P. VII. Of errors in marriage: why they are, and the pre- judice of them. BY errors in marriage, I mean the unfitness of the persons marrying to enter into this state, and that both with respect to age and the constitution of their bodies; and therefore those that design to enter into that condition, ought to observe their ability, and not run themselves upon inconveniences; for those that marry too young, may be said to marry unsea- sonably, not considering their inability, nor examin- ing the force of nature; for some before they are ripe for the consummation of so weighty a matter, who either rashly of their own accord, or by the instiga- tion Part I. Completed. 43 tion of procurers of marriage-brokers, or else forced thereto by their parents, who covet a large dowry, take upon them this yoke to their prejudice; by which, some before the expiration of a year, have been so enfeebled, that all their vital moisture has been exhausted; which hath not been restored again without great trouble and the use of medicines. Wherefore my advice is, that it is no ways conveni- ent to suffer children, or such as are not of age, to marry or get children; but he that proposes to marry, must observe to chuse a wife of an honest stock, de- scended of temperate parents; being chaste, well- bred, of good manners. For, if a woman hath good conditions, she hath portion enough. That of Ale- mena in Plautus, is much to the purpose, where he brings in a young woman speaking, I take not that to he my dowry, which The vulgar sort do wealth and honour call, But all my wishes terminate in this, T’ obey my husband, and be chaste withal: To have God’s fear and beauty in my mind, To do those good who’re virtuously inclin'd. And I think she was in the right on’t; for such a wife is more precious than rubies. It is certainly the duty of parents, to be careful in bringing up their children in the ways of virtue, and to have regard to their honour and reputation, and especially of virgins, when grown to be marriageable. For as has been before noted, if through the too much severity of parents, they may be crossed in their love, many of them throw themselves into the un- chaste arms of the next alluring tempter that comes in the way, being through the softness and flexibili- ty of their nature, and the strong desire they have af- ter what nature strongly incites them to, easily in- duced 44 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, duced to believe man’s false vows of promised mar- riage to cover their shame; and then too late their parents repent of their severity, which has brought an indelible stain upon their families. Another error in marriage is, The inequality of years in the parties married; such as for a young man, who to advance his fortune, marries a woman old enough to be his grand-mother, between whom for the most part, strife, jealousies, and discontents, are all the blessings which crown the genial bed, it being impossible for such to have any children. The like may be said, though with a little excuse, when an old dating fellow marries a young virgin in the prime of her youth and vigour, who whilst he vainly strives to please her, is thereby wedded to his grave. For as in green youth it is unfit and unseasonable to think of marriage, so to marry in old age is altoge- ther the same; for they that enter upon it too soon, are soon exhausted, and fall into consumptions and diverse other diseases, and those that procrastinate, and marry unseemly, fall into the like inconveniences; on the other side, having only this honour, of an old man they become young cuckolds, especially if their wives have not been trained up in the paths of vir- tue, and lie too much open to the importunity and temptation of lewd and debauched men. And thus much for the errors of rash, inconsiderate, and un in- considerable marriages. CHAP. Part I. Completed. 45 CHAP. VIII. The opinion of the learned concerning children, con- ceived and born within seven months, with ar- guments upon the subject, to prevent suspicion of incontinency, and bitter contests on that ac- count To which are added, rules to know the disposition of man's body by the genital parts. MANY bitter quarrels happen between men and their wives, upon the man’s supposition that his child came too soon, and by consequence that he could not be the father; whereas it was thro’ want of understanding the secrets of nature, that brought the man into that error: And which had he known, might have cured him of his suspicion and jealousy; to remove which, I shall endeavour to prove that it is possible, and has been frequently known that chil- dren have been born at seven months. The cases of this nature that have happened, have made work for the lawyers, who have left it to the physicians to judge; by viewing the child, whether it be a child in seven, eight, or ten months, Paul the counselor has this passage, in the nineteenth book of pleading, viz. It is now a received truth that a perfect child may be born in the seventh month, by the authority of the learned Hippocrates, and therefore we must believe that a child born at the end of the seventh month in lawful matrimony, may, be lawfully begot- ten. Galen (in chap. vi. Lib. 3.) is of opinion, that there is no certain time set for bearing of children; and that from Pliny’s authority, who makes mention of a Woman that went thirteen months with child, but as to what concerns the seventh month, a learned author said, I know several married people in Hol- land that had twins born in the seventh month, who lived to old age, having lusty bodies, and lively minds. Wherefore their opinion is absurd, who as- sert, 46 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, sert, that a child at seven months cannot be perfect and long lived: And that he cannot in all parts be perfect till the ninth month, thereupon this author proceeds to tell a passage from his own knowledge, viz. Of late, (says he) there happened a great distur- bance among us, which ended not without blood shed; and was occasioned by a virgin, whose chastity had been violated, descending of a noble family, of unspotted fame. Now several charged the fact upon the judge, who was president of a city in Flanders; who stiffly denied it, saying, He was ready to take his oath drat he never had any carnal copulation with her; and that he would not father that which was none of his. And farther argued, That he verily believed that it was a child born in seven months, himself being many miles distant from the mother of it, when it was conceived: Whereupon the judges decreed, that the child should be viewed by able phy- sicians, and experienced women, and that they should make their report; who having made diligent enqui- ry, all of them with one mind, concluded the child (without respecting who was the father) was born within the space of seven months, and that it was car- ried in the mother's womb but twenty-seven weeks and odd days; but if she should have gone full nine months, the child's parts and limbs would have been more firm and strong, and the structure of the body more compact, for the skin was very loose, and the breast bone that defends the heart, and the gristle that lay over the stomach, lay higher than naturally they should be: not plain, but crooked and sharp ridged, or pointed like those of a young chicken, hatched in the beginning of spring. And being a fe- male infant, it wanted nails upon the joints of her fingers; upon which, from the masculous, or cartila- ginous matter of the skin, nails that are very smooth to come, and by degrees harden, she had instead of nails, a thin skin or slim. As for her toes, there was no sign of nails upon them, wanting the heat which was expanded to the fingers, from the nearness of the Part I. Completed. 47 the heart. All this being considered, and above all, one gentlewoman of quality that assisted, affirming that had been the mother of nineteen children, and that divers of them had been born and lived at seven months; they without favour to any party, made their report that the infant was a child of seven months, though within the seventh month, for in such cases, the revolution of the moon ought to be observ- ed, which perfects itself in four bare weeks, or some what less than twenty-eight days; in which space of the revolution, the blood being agitated by force of the moon, the courses of the woman flow from them, which being spent, and the matrix being cleansed from the menstruous is blood, which happens on the fourth day; then if a man on the seventh day lie with his wife, the copulation is most natural, and then is the conception best; and a child thus begotten, may be born in the seventh month, and prove very health- ful: So that upon this report the supposed father was pronounced innocent, upon proof that he was one hundred miles distant all that month in which the child was begotten; and as for the mother, she strongly denied that she knew the father being forced in the dark, and so through fear and surprise was left in ignorance. As for coition it ought not to be had, unless the parties be in health, left it turn to the disadvantage of the children so begotten, creating in them through the abundance of ill humours, divers languishing diseases; wherefore health is no way better to be discerned than by the genitals of the man. For which reason mid-wives, and other skillful women, were formerly wont to see the Testicles of children, thereby to conjecture their temperature and state of body; and young men may know thereby the signs or symptoms of death: For if the cases of the Tes- ticles be loose and feeble, and the cods fall down, it denotes that the vital spirits, which are the props of life, are fallen: But if the secret parts be wrink- led and raised up, it is a sign all is well: But that the 48 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, the event may exactly answer the prediction, it is necessary to consider what part of the body the disease possesseth; for if it chance to be the upper part that is afflicted, as the head or stomach, then it will not so well appear by the members, which are unconcerned with such grievances; but the lower part of the body exactly sympathizing with them, their liveliness on the contrary makes it appa- rent: For nature’s force, and the spirits that have their intercourse, first manifest themselves therein, which occasion mid-wives to feel the genitals of chil- dren, to know in what part the grief is resided: And whether life or death be portended thereby, the symptoms being strongly communicated by the ves- sels, that have their intercourse with the principle seat of life. CHAP. IX. Of the Green sickness in Virgins, with its causes, signs, and cures; together with: he chief occasi- on of barrenness of Women, and the means to remove the cause, and render them fruitful. THE Green-sickness is so common a distemper in virgins, especially those of a phlegmatic complexion, that it is easily discerned, shewing it- self by discolouring the face, making it look green, pale, and of a dusty colour; proceeding from raw, and indigested humours; nor doth it only appear to the eye, but sensibly affects the person with dif- ficulty of breathings, pains in the head, palpita- tion of the heart, with unusual beatings, and small throbbing of the arteries in the temples, neck, and back, which often cast them into fevers, when the humour is over vicious; also loathing meat, and the distention of the Hypocondican part, by reason of the inordinate effluxion of menstrual blood to the greater vessels; and from the abundance of humours Part I. Completed. 49 humours the whole body is often troubled with swel- ling, or at least the thighs, legs, and ankles, all above the heels. There is also a great weariness of the bo- dy without any reason for it. The Galenical physicians affirm that this distemper proceeds from the obstruction of those vessels that are about the womb; occasioned by the abundance of gross, vicious, and rude humours arising from seve- ral inward causes; but there are also outward causes, which have a share in the production of it; as taking cold on the feet, drinking of water, intemperance of diet, and eating of things contrary to nature, viz. Raw or burnt flesh, ashes, coals, old shoes, chalk, wax, nut-shells, mortar, lime, oat-meal, tobacco- pipes, &c. Which occasion both a suppression of the menses, and obstructions through the whole body; therefore the first thing necessary to vindicate the cause is matrimonial conjunction, and such copulati- on as may prove satisfactory to her that is afflicted; for then the menses will begin to flow, according to their natural and due course, and the humours being dispersed, will soon waste themselves; and then no more matter being admitted to increate them, they will vanish, and a good temperament of body will re- turn: But in case this best remedy cannot be had soon enough, then blood her in the ankles; and if she be about the age of sixteen, you may likewise do it in the arm, but let her blood but sparingly, espe- cially if the blood be good. If the disease be of any continuance, then it is to be eradicated by purging, preparation or the humour first considered, which may be done by the virgin's drinking of decoct of guiacum, with dittany of Crete; but the best purge in this case, ought to be made of aloes, agrie, fennel, rhubarb; and for strengthening the bowels, and o- pening obstructions, chaly beat medicines are chiefly to be used. The diet must be moderate, and sharp things by all means avoided. And for finding the humour, take prepared steel, bezoar-stone, the root of scotzoncra, oyl of chrystal in small wine, and let C the 50 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, the diet be moderate, but in no wise let vinegar be used therewith, nor upon any occasion. And in so observing, the humours will be dilated and dispersed, whereby the complexion will return, and the body be lively and full of vigour. And now since barrenness daily creates discontent, and that discontent breeds difference between man and wife, or by immediate grief frequently casts the woman into one or other distemper, I shall in the next place treat thereof. Of Barrenness. Formerly, before women came to the marriage-bed, they were first searched by the midwife, and those only which she allowed of as fruitful, were admitted. I hope therefore it will not be amiss to shew you how they may prove themselves, and turn the barren ground into a fruitful soil. Barrenness is a depriva- tion of life and power, which ought to be in seed, to procreate and propagate. For which end men and women were made. Causes of barrenness. It is caused by overmuch cold or heat, driving up the seed, and corrupting it, which extinguishes the life of the seed, making it wa- terish and unfit for generation. It may be caused al- so by not flowing, or overflowing of the courses, by swellings, ulcers, and inflammations of the womb, by an excrescence of flesh growing about the mouth of the matrix, by the mouth of the womb being turn- ed to the back or side, by fatness of the body, where- by the mouth of the matrix is closed up, being pres- sed with the omentum, or caul, and the matter of the seed is turned too fat; or if she be of a lean and dry body to the world, she proves barren; because tho' she doth conceive, yet the fruit of her body will wither before it comes to perfection, for want of nourishment. Silvius ascribes one cause of barren- ness to compelled copulation; as when parents force their Part I. Completed. 51 their daughters to have husbands contrary to their liking, therein marrying their bodies, not their hearts, and where there is a want of love, there for the most part is no conception; as very often appears in wo- men which are deflowered against their wills. Ano- ther main cause of this barrenness, is attributed to the want of a convenient moderating quality which the woman ought to have with the man; as if he be hot, she must be cold; if he be dry, she must be moist; but if they be both dry, or both moist of consti- tution, they cannot propagate; and yet simply con- sidered of themselves, they are not barren; for he and she who were before as the barren fig-tree, be- ing joined to an apt constitution, become as the fruit- ful vine. And that a man and woman being every way of alike constitution cannot procreate, I will bring nature itself for a testimony, who hath made man of a better constitution than woman, that the quality of the one may moderate the quality of the other. Signs of Barrenness. If barrenness doth proceed from overmuch heat, she is of a dry body, subject to anger, hath black hair, quick pulse, her purgations flow but little, and that with pain, she loves to play in the courts of Venus. But if it comes by cold, then are the signs contrary to these even now recited. If through an evil quality of the womb, make a suffumigation of red storax, myrrh, cassia-wood, nutmeg, cinna- mon; and let her receive the fume of it into the womb, covering her very close; and if the odour so received, passeth through the body up into the mouth and nostrils of herself she is fruitful. But if she feels not the fume in her mouth and nose, it argues barrenness one of these ways, that the spi- rit of the feed is either through cold extinguished, or through heat dissipated. If any woman be sus- C2 pected 52 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, pected to be unfruitful, cast natural brimstone, such as are digged out of the mine, into her urine; and if worms breed therein, of herself, she is not bar- ren. Prognostics, Barrenness makes women look young, because they are free from those pains and sorrows which other women are accustomed to bring forth withal. Yet they have not the full perfection of health which fruitful women do enjoy, because they are not rightly purged of the menstru- ous blood, and superfluous seed, which two, are the principal cause of most uterine diseases. Cure, First the cause must be removed, and then the womb strengthened, and the spirits of the seed enlivened. If the womb be over hot: Take syrup of succory with rhubarb, syrup of violets, endive, roses, cassia, purslane. Take of endive, water-lilies, borage-flow- ers, of each a handful; rhubarb, mirobalan of each three drams; with water make a decoction, add to the straining of the syrup, electuary of violets one ounce, syrup of cassia half an ounce, manna three drams; make a potion: Take of syrup of mugwort one ounce, syrup of maiden hair two ounces, water of succory, borage, fennel two ounces; puly, elect, triasand one dram, make a julep. Take pru. salut. elect. rof. mesuæ of each three drams, rhubarb one scruple, and make a bolus, apply to the reins and privities, somentations of the juice of lettice, vio- lets, roses, mallows, vine leaves, and night-shade: anoint the secret parts with the cooling unguent of Galen. If the power of the seed be extinguished by cold, take every morning two spoonfuls of cinnamon- water, with one scruple of mithridate. Take syrup of calamint, mugwort, betony, of each one ounce: waters of penny-royal, fever-few, hyssop, sage, of each two ounces; make a julep: Take oil of anise- seeds two scruples and a half; diacimini, diacalithi, diamosci, Part I. Completed. 53 diamosci, diagalangæ of each one dram, sugar four ounces, with water of cinnamon; make lozenges, take of them a dram and a half twice a day, two hours before meals; fasten cupping-glasses to the hips and belly. Take of styrax, calamint one ounce, massick, cinnamon, nutmeg, lign, aloes, frankin- cense, of each half an ounce; musk ten grains, am- bergrease half a scruple, with rose-water; make a confection, divide it into four equal parts; of one part make a pomum odoratum to smell on, if she be not hysterical. Of the second make a mass of pills, and let her take three every night. Of the third, make a pessary, dip it in oil of spikenard, and put it up. Of the fourth make a suffumigation for the womb. If the faculties of the womb be weakened, and the life of the seed suffocated by over much humidity lowing to these parts. Take of betony, marjoram, mugwort, penny-royal, balm, of each a handful; roots of alium, fennel, elecampane, of each two drams; anniseed, cummin, of each one dram, with sugar and water a sufficient quantity; make a syrup and take three ounces every morning. Purge with the following things, Take of diagri- dium two grains, specierum of castor a scruple, pill. fœdit two scruples, with syrup of mugwort; make six pills. Take spec. diagem. diamoser. diamb. of each one dram; cinnamon one dram and a half; cloves, mace, nutmeg, each half a dram; sugar six ounces, with water of feverfew; make lozenges, to be taken every morning. Take of the decoction of salsaporilla, and virga aurea, not forgetting sage, which Agrippa wondering at its operation, hath ho- noured it with the name of Sacra Herba, a holy herb: And is recorded by Dodonæus in the history of plants, Lib. ii. Cap. 77. That after so many E- gyptians were dead, the surviving women (that they might multiply the faster) were commanded to drink the juice of sage, anoint the genitals with oil of an- iseed and spikenard. Take mace, nutmeg, cinna- C3 mon, 54 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, mon, styrax, amber, of each one dram; cloves, lau- danum, of each half a dram; turpentine a sufficient quantity; trochisks to smooth the womb. Take roots of valerian, and elecampane, of each one pound; galanga, two ounces; origan, lavender, majoram, betony, mugwort, bay-leaves, calamint, of each a handful, with water; make an incession, in which let her sit after she hath her courses. If barrenness proceed from dryness, consuming the matter of the seed; Take every day almond- milk, and goats milk extracted with honey. But of- ten of the root fatyron candied, and of the electuary of diusayren. Take three wedders heads, boil them until all the flesh come from the bones; then take melilot, violets, camomile, mercury, orchis with their roots, of each a handful; sennigreek, lintseed, valerian roots, of each one pound; let all these be decocted in the aforesaid broth, and let the woman sit in the decoction up to the navel. Also take of deers suet half an ounce, cows marrow, styacis, li- uidæ, of each two drams; oil of sweet almonds two ounces: With silk or cotton make a pessary, make injections of fresh butter, and oil of sweet almonds. If barrenness be caused by any proper effect of the womb, the cure is set down in the second part. Some- times the womb proves barren when there is no im- pediment on either side, except only in the manner of the act; as when in the emission of the seed, the man is quick and the woman too slow, whereby there is not an emission of both seeds at the same instant as the rules of conception require; before the acts of coition, foment the private parts with the decoction of betony, sage, hyssop, and calamint; and anoint the mouth and neck of the womb with musk and civet. The cause of barrenness being removed, let the womb be corroborated as follows: Take of bay-berries, mastick, nutmeg, frankin- cense, nuts, laudanum, gaipanum, of each one dram; styracis liquid two scruples; cloves half a scruple; amber- Part I. Completed. 55 ambergrease two grains; musk five grains; then with oil of spikenard make a pessary. Take of red roses, lapidis hæmatis, white frank- incense, of each half an ounce. Sanguis draconis, fine bole, mastick of each two drams; nutmeg, cloves, of each one dram; spikenard half a scruple; with oil of wormwood, make a plaister for the lower part of the belly; then suffer her to eat often of eringo roots candied: And make an ejection only of the roots of satyrion. The aptest time for conception is instantly after the menses are ceased, because then the womb is thirsty and dry, apt both to draw the seed, and return it, by the roughness of the inward superficies. And be- sides, in some the mouth of the womb is turned into the back or side, and is not placed right until the last day of the courses. Excess in all things is to be avoided: Lay aside all passions of the mind; shun study and care, as things that are enemies to conception; for if a woman con- ceives under such circumstances, how wise soever the parents are, the children at the best will be but fool- ish because the animal faculties of the parent, viz. the understanding and the rest (from whence the child derives its reason) are, as it were confused, through the multiplicity of cares and cogitations; examples hereof we have in learned men, who after great study and care, instantly accompany with their wives, often beget very foolish children. A hot and moist air is most convenient, as appears by the wo- men in Egypt, who usually bring forth three or four children at one time. C4 CHAP 56 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. X. Virginity, what it is, in what it consists, and how violated; together with the opinion of the learn- ed about the mutation of sex in the womb, dur- ing the operation of nature in framing the body. THERE are many ignorant people that boast of their skill in the knowledge of virginity, and some virgins have undergone hard censures through their ignorant determinations: And therefore I thought it highly necessary to clear this point, that the towering imaginations of conceited ignorance may be brought down, and the fair sex (whose virtues are so illustriously bright, that they both excite our wonder, and command our imitation) may be freed from the calumnies and detractions of ignorance and envy; that so their honours may continue as unspot- ted, as they have kept their persons uncontaminated, and free from defilement. Virginity in a strict sense does signify the prime, the chief, the best of anything; which makes men so desirous of marrying virgins, imagining some se- cret pleasure to be enjoyed in their embraces, more than in those of widows, or such as before have been lain withal: Though not many years ago, a very great person was of another mind, and (to use his own expressions) 'That the getting of a maiden- “head was such a piece of drudgery, as was more 'proper for a porter than a prince.' But this was only his opinion, for most men I am sure, have other sentiments. But to our purpose, The curious enquirers into nature’s secrets have observed, that in young maids in the Sinu Putloris, or in that place that is called the neck of the womb, is that ponduous production, vulgarly called the Hy- men, but more rightly the claustrum virginale; and in the French, ‘button de rose,' or rose bud; be- cause it resembles the bud of rose expanded, of a conve Part I. Completed. 57 conve gilly flower. From hence is derived the word defloro, or deflower. And hence taking away virgi- nity is called deflowering a virgin: Most being of o- pinion, that the virginity is altogether lost when this duplication is fractured and dissipated by violence; and when it is found perfect and entire, no penetra- tion has been made: And it is the opinion of some learned physicians that there is not either Hymen of skin expanded, containing blood in it, which divers think in the first copulation flows from the fracturat- ed expanse. Now this Claustrum Virginale, or flower, is com- posed of four carbuncles or little buds like myrtle berries, which in virgins are full and plump, but in women flag and hang loose; and these are placed in the four angles of the Sinus Pudoris joined toge- ther by little membranes and ligatures like fibres, each of them situate in the Testicles or spaces be- tween each carbuncle, with which in a manner they are proportionally distended; which membranes being once dilacerated, denote Devirgination; and many inquisitive, and yet ignorant persons finding their wives defective herein the first night of their marriage, have thereupon suspected their chastely, concluding another had been there before them. Now to undeceive such, I do affirm, that such frac- tures happen divers accidental ways, as well as by copulation with men, viz. By violent straining, coughing, sneezing, flopping of urine, and violent motion of the vessels, forcibly sending down the humours, which pressing for passage, break the li- gatures or membrane; so that the intireness or frac- ture of that which is commonly taken for their virginity or maidenhead, is no absolute sign of dishonesty; though certain it is, that it is more frequently broke in copulation than by any other means. I have heard, That at an assize held at Rutland a young man was tried for a rape, in forcing a vir- gin; when after divers questions asked, and the maid C5 swearing 58 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, swearing positively to the matter, naming the time, place, and manner of the action; it was upon mature deliberation resolved, that she should be searched by a skillful surgeon and two midwives, who were to make their report upon their oaths; which after due examination, they accordingly did, affirming, that the membranes were entire, and not dilacerated; and that it was their opinion, for that reason, that her body had not been penetrated. Which so far wrought with the jury, that the prisoner was acquit- ted ; and the maid afterwards confessed, she swore against him out of revenge, he having promised to marry her, and afterwards declined it. And this much shall suffice to be spoken concerning virgi- nity. I shall now proceed to something of nature’s ope- ration, in mutation of sexes in the womb. This point is of much necessity, by reason of the different opinions of men relating to it; therefore be- fore any thing positively can be asserted, it will be al- together convenient to recite what has been delivered, as well in the negative as affirmative. And first, Se- verus Plinus who argues for the negative, writes thus: The genital parts of both sexes are so unlike others in substance, composition, situation, figure, action and use, that nothing is more unlike; and by how much more all parts of the body (the breasts excepted, which in women swell more, because nature ordained them for suckling the infant,) have exact resemblance; so much more do the genital parts of one sex compared with the other differ; and if their figure be thus different, much more in their use. The venereal appetite also proceeds from dif- ferent causes: For in man it proceeds from a desire of emission, and in woman from a desire of reception, in women also, the chief of those parts are con- cave, and apt to receive, but in men they are more porous. These things considered, I cannot but wonder (added he) how any one can imagine, that the genital Part I. Completed. 59 genital members of the female births should be changed unto those that belong to males, since by those parts only the distinction of sexes is made; nor can I well impute the reason of this vulgar error to any thing, but the mistake of inexpert midwives, who have been deceived by the evil conformation of the parts, which in some male birth may have happened to have some small protrusions, not to have been discerned; as appears by the example of a child christened at Paris by the name of Joan as a girl, which afterwards proved a boy; and on the contrary, the..ver far extension of the Clytoris in female births ..y have occasioned the like mistakes. Thus far Pliny proceeds in the negative: And yet, notwithstanding what he has said, there are divers learned physicians that have asserted the affirmative, of which number Galen is one. A man (saith he) is different from a woman in nothing else but hav- ing his genital members without his body; whereas a woman hath them within. And this is certain, that if nature having formed, should convert him into a Woman, she hath no other task to perform, but to turn his genital members inward; and so to turn a woman into a man by the contrary opera- tion; but this is to be understood of the child when it is in the womb, and not perfectly formed; for di- vers times nature hath made a female child, and it hath so remained in the womb of the mother for a month or two, and afterward plenty of heat in- creasing in the genital members, they have issued forth, and the child has become a male, yet retain- ing some certain gestures unbefitting the masculine sex; as female actions, a shrill voice, and a more effeminate temper than ordinary; contrariwise, na- ture having often made a male, and cold humours flowing to it, the genitals have been inverted, yet still retaining a masculine air both in voice and ge- stures. Now, though both these opinions are sup- ported by several reasons, yet I esteem the latter more agreeable to truth, for there is sot that vast C6 difference 60 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, difference between the genitals of the two sexes, as Pliny would have us believe there is, for the woman has in a manner the fame members with the man, though they appear not outward, but are inverted for the convenience of generation: The chief differ- ence being that the one is solid, and the other porous, and that the principal reason for changing sexes is, and must be attributed to heat or cold, suddenly and slowly contracted, which operates according to its greater or lesser force. CHAP. XI. Directions and Cautions for Midwives, and first how a Midwife ought to be qualified. A Midwife that would acquit herself well in her employment, ought by no means to enter up- on it rashly or unadvisedly; but with all imaginable caution, considering that she is accountable for all the mischief that befalls through her willful ignor- ance or neglect; therefore let none take upon them the office barely upon pretense of maturity of years and child-bearing, for in such for the most part there are divers things wanting that ought to be observ- ed; which is the occasion so many women and children are lost. Now for a midwife in relation to her person, these things ought to be observed: viz. She must neither be too old nor too young, nei- ther extraordinary fat, nor weakened by leanness, but in a good habit of body; nor subject to diseases, fears, nor sudden frights; her body well-shaped, and neat in her attire; her hands smooth and small, her nails ever paired short, nor suffering any rings to be upon her fingers during the time she is doing her office, nor any thing upon her wrists that may ob- struct. And to these ought to be added activity, and a convenient strength, with much cautiousness and diligence, not subject to drowsiness, not apt to be im- patient. As Part I. Completed. 61 As for her manners, she ought to be courteous, af- fable sober, chaste, and not subject to passion, bountiful and compassionate to the poor, and not covetous when she attends upon the rich. Her temper cheerful and pleasant, that she may the better comfort her patient in the dolorous la- bours: Nor must she at any time make overmuch haste, though her business should require her in ano- ther case, lest she thereby endanger the mother of the child. Of spirit, she ought to be wary, prudent, and cunning; But above all, the fear of God ought to have the ascendant in her soul, which will give her both knowledge and discretion, as the wife man tells us. CHAP. XII. Further Directions for Midwives, teaching them what they ought to do, and what to avoid. SINCE the office of a Midwife has so great an in- fluence on the well or ill-doing of women and children, in the first place let her be diligent to ac- quire whatever knowledge may be advantageous to her practice, never thinking herself so perfect, but that she may add to her knowledge by study and experience; yet never let her make any experiment at her patient’s cost, nor apply any experiments in that case, unless she has tried them, or knows they will do no harm; practicing neither upon poor nor rich, but speaking freely what she knows; and by no means prescribing such medicines as will cause a- bortion, though desired; which is a high degree of wickedness, and may be termed murder. If she be sent for to them she knows not, let her be very cau- tious ere she goes, left by laying an infectious woman she endanger the spoiling of others, as sometimes it happens: Neither must she make her house a re- ceptacle for great belly's women to discharge their burdens 62 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, burdens in; left her house get an ill name, and she thereby lose her practice. In laying of women, if the birth happen to be large and difficult, she must not seem to be concern- ed, but must cheer up the woman, and do what she can to make her labour easy. For which, she may find directions in the second part of this book. She must never think of any thing but doing well, causing all things to be in readiness that are proper for the work, and the strengthening of the woman, and receiving of the child; and above all, let her take care to keep the woman from being unruly when her throws are coming upon her, lest me thereby endan- ger her own life and the child’s. She must also take care she be not too hasty in her business, but wait God’s leisure for the birth; and by no means let her suffer herself to be disordered by fear, though things should not go well, lest it should make her incapable of giving that assistance which the labouring woman stands in need of; for when we are most at a loss, then there is most need of prudence to set things right. And now, because she can never be a skillful mid- wife, that knows nothing but what is to be seen out- wardly; I shall not think it amiss, but on the contra- ry highly necessary with modesty to describe the ge- nerative parts of women, as they have been anatomiz- ed by the learned, and shew the use of such vessels as contribute to generation. CHAP. XIII. Of the genitals of Women, external and internal to the vessels of the womb. IF it were not for public benefit, especially of the practitioners and professors of the art of mid- wifery; I would forbear to treat of the secrets of nature, because they may be turned by some lascivious and lewd persons into ridicule: But they Part I. Completed. 63 they being absolutely necessary to be known, in order to public good, I will not omit them, be- cause some may make a wrong use of them. Those parts that offer themselves to view at the bottom of the belly, are the Fissura magna, or the great chink, with its Labia or lips, the Mons Veneris, and the hair; these are called by the general name pudenda, from shame-facedness, because when they are bare, they bring pudor or shame upon a woman. The Fissura magna reaches from the lower part of the os pubis, to within an inch of the anus, but it is lesser and closer in maids than in those that have born children; and has two lips, which to- ward the pubis grow thicker and more full; and meeting upon the middle of the os pubis, makes that rising hill that is called Mons Veneris, or the hill of Venus. The next thing that offers, are the Nympha and Clytoris, the former of which is of a membrany and slamy substance, spongy, soft, and partly fleshly of a red colour, in the shape of wings, two in number, though from their rise they are joined in an acute angle, producing there a fleshy substance, which clothe the clytoris; and sometimes they spread so far, that incision is required to make way for the man's instrument of generation. The clytoris is a substance in the upper part of the division where the two wings concur, and is the seat of venereal pleasure, being like a yard in situation, substance, composition, and erection; grow- ing sometimes out of the body two inches, but that never happens unless through extreme lust, or ex- traordinary accidents. This clytoris consists of two spongy and skinny bodies, containing a distinct o- riginal from the os pubis, the head of it being co- vered with a tender skin, having a hole or passage like the penis, or yard of a man; though not quite through, in which, and the bigness, it only differs from it. The next thing are the fleshy knobs, and the great 64 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, great neck of the womb: and these knobs are be- hind the wings, being four in number, and re- semble myrtle berries, being placed quadrangular, one against the other; and in this place is inserted to the orifice of the bladder, which opens itself into the fissures, to evacuate the urine; for securing of which from cold, or the like inconveniency, one of these knobs is placed before it, and shuts up the passage. The lips of the womb (that next appear) being se- parated, disclose the neck thereof, and in them two things are to be observed, which is the neck itself, and the hymen, but more properly the claustrum vir- ginale, or which before I have discoursed. By the neck of the womb is to be understood the channel that is between the aforesaid knobs and the inner bone of the womb, which receives the penis like a heath; and that it may the better be dilated from the plea- sure of procreation, the substance of it is sinewy, and a little spongy; and in this concavity are divers- folds, or orbicular plaits made by tunicles, wrinkled like an expanded rose. In virgins they plainly ap- pear, but in women that have often used copulation they are extinguished; so that the inner side of the womb's neck appears smooth, and in old women it appears more hard and gritted. But though this channel be at sometimes writhed and crooked, sink- ing down; yet in the time of copulation, labour, or the monthly purgation, it is erected and extended, which over extensions occasion the pains in child birth. The hymen, or claustram virginale, is that which closes the neck of the womb, being as I have for- cited in the chapter relating to virginity broken in first copulation, its use Being rather to stay the untimely courses in virgins, than to any other end; and commonly when broken in copulation, or by any other accident, a small quantity of blood flows from it, attended with some little pain. From whence some observe, that between the duplicity of Part I. Completed. 65 of the two tunicles, which constitute the neck of the womb; there are many veins and arteries running a- long and arising from the vessels on both sides of the thigh, and so passing into the neck of the womb being very large; and the reason thereof is, for that the neck of the bladder requires to be filled with abun- dance of spirits, thereby to be dilated for its better taking hold of the penis, there being great heat re- quired in such motions, which becomes more intent by the act of frication, and consumes a considerable quantity of moisture, in the supply of which large vessels are altogether necessary. Another cause of the longness of these vessels is, by reason the menses make their way through them, which often occasions women with child to continue their purgation; for though the womb be shut up, yet the passage in the neck of the womb through which these vessels pass, are open: In this case there is further to be observed, that as soon as you pene- trate the pudendum, there appear two little pits or holes, wherein is contained an humour, which be- ing expunged in time of copulation, greatly delights the woman. CHAP. XIV. A description of the womb’s fabric, the prepar- ing vessels, and Testicles in women: As also of the difference and ejaculatory vessels. IN the lower part of the hypogastrium, where the lips are widest and broadest, they being greater and broader there about than those of men, for which reason they have likewise broader buttocks than men; the womb is joined to its neck, and is placed between the bladder and strait gut, which keeps it from swaying or rowling, yet gives it li- berty to stretch and dilate itself again to contract, nature in that case disposing it. Its figure is in a manner round, and not unlike a gourd, lessening a little 66 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, little and growing more acute towards one end, be- ing knit together by its proper ligaments; its neck likewise is joined by its own substance and certain membranes that fasten unto the os sacrum, and the share-bone. As to its largeness, that much differs in women, especially the difference is great between such as have born children, and those that have born none: In substance it is so thick that it exceeds a thimble breadth, which after copulation is so far from decreasing that it augments to a greater propor- tion; and the more to strengthen it, it is interwoven with fibres overthwart, which are both strait and winding; and its proper vessels are veins, arteries, and nerves; and among these there are two little veins which pass from the spermatick vessels to the bottom of the womb, and two larger from the hypo- static, which touch both the bottom and the neck, the mouth of these veins piercing as far as the in- ward concavity. The womb hath two arteries on both sides the sper- matick vessels and the hyporastick, which will accom- pany the veins; and besides there are divers little nerves, that are knit and twined in the form of a net, which are also extended throughout, even from the bottom of the pudenda themselves, being placed chiefly for sense and pleasure, moving in sympathy between the head and the womb. Now it is to be farther noted, that by reason of the two ligaments that hang on either side the womb from the share-bone, piercing through the perito- neum, and joined to the bone itself; the womb is moveable upon sundry occasions, often falling low or rising high. As for the neck of the womb, it is of an exquisite feeling, so that if it be at any time out of order, being troubled with a schirrosity, over fatness, moisture, or relaxation, the womb is sub- jected thereby to barrenness: In those that are with child, there frequently stays a most glutinous mat- ter in the entrance to facilitate the birth; for at the time of delivery, the mouth of the womb is opened Part I. Completed. 67 opened to such a wideness as is conformable to the bigness of the child, suffering an equal dilatation from the bottom to the top. As for the preparatory or spermatick vessels in wo- men, they consist of two veins and two arteries, not differing from those in men, but only of their large- ness and manner of insertion; for the number of veins and arteries is the same as in men, the right vein is- suing from the trunk of the hollow vein descending, and on the side of the emulgent vein; and on the side of them are two arteries, which grow from the aorta. As to the length and breadth of these vessels they are narrower and shorter in women than in men; only observe they are more wreathed and comfort- ed than in men, as shrinking together by reason of their shortness, that they may by their looseness be better stretched out when occasion requires it; and those vessels in women are carried with an indirect course through the lesser guts, the Testicles, but are in mid-way divided into two branches, the greater goes to the stones, constituting a various or wind- ing body, and wonderfully inosculating; the lesser branch ending in the womb, in the inside of which it disperseth itself, and especially at the higher part of the bottom of the womb for its nourishment, and that part of the courses may purge through the vessels; and seeing the Testicles in women are seat- ed near the womb, for that cause these vessels fall not from the peritoneum, neither make they much passage as in men, nor extending themselves in the share-bone. The stones in women commonly called Testicles, perform not the same action as in men, they are also different in their location, bigness, tempera- ture, substance, form and covering. As for the place of their feat, it is in the hollowness of the abdomen; neither are they pendulous but rest upon the muscles or the loins, so that they may by contracting the greater heat be more fruitful, their office being to contain 68 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, contain the ova, or eggs, one of which being im- pregnated by the man’s seed, engenders man, yet they differ from those of men in figure, by reason of their lessness or flatness at each end, not being so round or oval. The external superficies being like- wise more unequal, appearing like the composition of a great many knobs and kernels mixt together. There is a difference also in their substance, they be- ing much more soft and pliable, loose, and not so well compacted. Their bigness and temperament being likewise different, for they are much colder and lesser than those in men. As for their covering or enclosure, it differs extremely; for as men are wrapped in di- vers tunicles, by reason they are extremely pendu- lous, and subject to divers injuries, unless so fenced by nature; so womens stones being internal, and less subject to causality, are covered with one tunicle or membrane, which though it closely cleave to them, yet they are likewise half covered with the pe- ritonœum. The ejaculatory vessels are two obscure passages, one on each side, nothing differing from the sper- matic veins in substance: They do rise on one part from the bottom of the womb, not reaching from the other extremity, either to the stones, or to any other part, but shut up and unpassible; ad- hering to the womb, as the colon does to the blind gut, and winding half-way about; though the testicles are remote to them, and touch them not, yet they are tied to them by certain membranes, resembling the wing of a hat, through which cer- tain veins and arteries passing through the end of the Testicles, may be turned here to have their pas- sages proceeding from the corners of the womb to the Testicles, and are accounted proper liga- ments, by which the Testicles and womb are unit- ed, and strongly knit together: And these liga- ments in women, are the cremasters in men: Of which I shall speak more largely, when I come to describe Part I. Completed. 69 describe the masculine parts conducing to genera- tion. CHAP. XV. A description of the use and action of several parts in women appointed in generation. THE externals, commonly called the pudenda, are designed to cover the great orifice, and that are to receive the penis or yard, in the act of coiti- on, and give, passage to the birth and urine. The use of the wings and knobs like myrtle berries, are for the security of the internal parts, shutting the o- rifice and neck of the bladder, and by their swelling up, cause titulation and delight in those parts, and also to obstruct the involuntary passage of the u- rine. The action of the clytoris in women is like that of a penis in man, viz. the erection: and its outer end is like the glans of the penis, and has the same name. And as the glans of man is the seat of the greatest pleasure in conception, so is this in women. Whence it is called "Amoris dulcedo & austrum vene- "ris." The action and use of the neck of the womb is e- qual with that of the penis, viz. erection, occasion- ed divers ways; first in copulation, it is created and made strait for the passage of the penis in the womb. Secondly, Whilst the passage is replete with spirit and vital blood, it becomes more strait for embracing the penis: And as for the convenience of erection, it is twofold, First, Because if the neck of the womb was not erected, the yard could have no convenient passage to the womb. Secondly, It hinders any hurt or damage that might ensue through the vio- lent concussion of the yard, during the time of copu- lation. As for the veins that pass through the neck of the womb, their office is to replenish it with blood and spirit, 70 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, spirit, that still as the moisture consumes by the heat contracted in copulation, it may by these vessels be renewed; but their chief business is to convey nutri- ment to the womb. The womb has many properties attributed to it. As first, Retention of the fecundated egg, and this is properly called conception. Secondly, To cherish and nourish it till nature has framed the child, and brought it to perfection, and then it strongly ope- rates in sending forth the birth, when the time of its remaining there is expired, dilating itself in a won- derful manner, and so aptly removed from the senses, that nothing of injury can proceed from thence; re- tailing itself a power and strength to operate and cast forth the birth, unless by accident it be rendered deficient: And then to strengthen and enable it, re- medies must be applied by skillful hands, directions for the applying of which shall be given in the second part. The use of the preparing vessel is this, the arte- ries convey the blood to the Testicles; part where- of is put in the nourishment of them, and the pro- duction of those little bladders (in all things resem- bling eggs,) through which the vasa preparentia run, and are obliterated in them; and as for the veins, their office is to bring back what blood remains from the use aforesaid. The vessels of this kind are much shorter in wo- men than in men, by reason of their nearness to the stones, which defect is yet made good by the many intricate windings to which those vessels are subject; for in the middle way they divide themselves into two branches, though different in magnitude, for one being greater than the other passes to the stones. The stones in women are very useful, for where they are defective, generation-work is at an end; for although these little bladders which are on their out- ward superficies contain nothing of seed, as the fol- lowers of Galen and Hippocrates did erroneously i- magine Part I. Completed. 71 magine, yet they contain several eggs, generally twenty (in each Testicle) one of which being impreg- nated by the spirituous part of the man's seed in the act of coition, descends through the oviducts into the womb, and from thence in process of time becomes a living child. This figure is not altogether round, but flat and digressed on the sides; in their lower part oval, but in the upper where the blood vessels enter them more plain; and have only one membrane about them that the heat may have the easier access. CHAP. XVI. Of the organs of generation of man. HAving given you a description of the organs of generation in women, with the anatomy of the fabric of the womb; I shall now (to complete the first part of this treatise) describe the organs of generati- on in man, and how they are fitted to the use for which nature designed them. The instrument of generation in man (common- ly called the yard; and in Latin, penis a pendendo because it hangs without the belly) is an organical part, which consists of skin, tendons, veins, arte- ries, sinews, and great ligaments: and is long and round, and on the upper side flattish, seated under the off pubis, and ordained by nature, partly for evacuation of urine, and partly for conveying the seed into the matrix; for which end it is full of small pores, through which the seed passes into it, through the vesicula seminalis, and also the neck of the veticula urinalis, which pours out the urine when they make water; besides the common parts, as cuticula,the skin, and the membrana carnosa, it hath these proper or internal parts, viz. The two nervous bodies, the septum, the urethra, the glans, four muscles, and the vessels. The nervous bodies so 72 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, (so called) are surrounded with a thick white previ- ous membrane, but their inmost substance is spon- gy; consisting chiefly of veins, arteries, and nervous fibres, interwoven together like a net; and when the nerves are filled with animal spirits, and the arteries with hot and spirituous blood, then the penis is distended and becomes erect: But when the influx of dead spirits ceases, then the blood and remaining spirits are absorbed by the veins, and so the penis spirits limber and flaggy: Below these nervous bodies is the urethra, and when ever the nervous bodies swell, it swells also. The muscles of the penis are four, two shorter arising from the coxendix, and serving its erection, and for that reason are called erectores; two larger proceeding from, the sphincter of the anus, and serve to dilate the urethra ejaculation of seed; and are called di- latantes, or winding. At the end of the penis is the glans, covered with a very thin membrane; by means of which and its nervous substance, it becomes most exquisitely sensible, and is the prin- cipal seat of pleasure in copulation. The outmost covering of the glans is called preputium a per- petando from being cut off, it being that which the Jews cut off in circumcision, and it is tied by the lower parts of it to the glans of the fetus. The penis is also stocked with veins, arteries, and nerves. The Testiculi, or stones (so called) because tes- tifying one to be a man; elaborate the blood brought to them by the spermatic arteries into seed. They have coats of two sorts, proper and common; the common are two, and invest both the Testes. The outermost of the common coats con- sists of the cuticula, or true skin; and is called the scrotum, hanging cut of the abdomen like a purse, the innermost is the membrane earnosa; the pro- per coats are also two, the outer called cliotrodes or virginales; the inner albugidia, into the outer is inserted the cremaster; the upper part of the Testes Part I. Completed. 73 Testes is fixed; epidimvdes, or pastata, from whence arise the vaffa differentia or ejaculatoria which when they come near the neck of the bladder, deposite the seed into the vesiculæ seminales, these vesiculæ seminales are two, each like a bunch of grapes, and emit the seed into the urethra, in the act of copula- tion. Near them are the prostatæ, about the bigness of a walnut, and join to the neck of the bladder. Authors cannot agree about the use of them; but most are of opinion, that they afford an oily, sloppy, and fat humour to besmear the urethra, whereby to defend the same from acrimony of the seed and urine. But the vessels which convey the blood to the Testes, out of which the seed is made, are arteriæ spermaticæ, and are also two. The veins which carry out the re- maining blood are two, and have the name of venæ spermaticæ. CHAP. XVII. A Word of Advice in both Sexes: Being several Directions respecting the act of Copulation. SINCE nature has implanted in every creature a mutual desire of copulation, for the increase and propagation of its kind; and more especially in man, the lord of the creation, and master-piece of nature; that so noble a piece of divine workmanship might not perish, something ought to be said concerning that, it being the foundation of all that we have hi- therto been treating of; since without copulation there can be no generation. Seeing therefore it depends so much upon it, I thought it necessary (before I con- clude the first part) to give such directions to both sexes, for the performing of that act, as may appear efficacious to the end for which nature design'd it. But it will be done with that caution, as not to of- fend the chastest ear, nor put the fair sex to the trouble of a blush in reading it. First, Therefore D when 74 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, when a married couple, from a desire of having chil- dren, are about to make use of those means that na- ture ordained to that purpose, it would be very pro- per to cherish the body with generous restoratives, that so it may be brisk and vigorous: And if their i- maginations were charmed with sweet and melodious airs, and cares, and thoughts of business drowned in a glass of racy wine, that their spirits may be raised to the highest pitch of ardour and joy, it would not be amiss. For any thing of sadness, trouble and sor- row, are enemies to the delights of Venus: And if at any such times of coition, there should be concep- tion, it would have a malevolent effect upon children. But though generous restoratives may be used for in- vigorating nature, yet all excess is carefully to be a- voided, for it will allay the briskness of the spirits, and render them dull and languid, and also hinders digestion, and so must needs be an enemy to copula- tion. For it is food moderately taken that is well di- gested, creates good spirits, and enables a man with vigour and activity to perform the dictates of nature. It is also highly necessary, that in their mutual em- braces, they meet each other with an equal ardour. For if the spirits flag on either part, they will fall short of what nature requires; and the woman either miss of conception, or else the children prove weak in their bodies, or defective in their understanding; and therefore I do advise them before they begin their conjugal embraces, to invigorate their mutual desires, and make their flames burn with a fierce ardour, by those endearing ways, that love can better teach, than I can write. And when they have done what nature can require, a man must have a care he does not part too soon from the embraces of his wife, lest some sudden in- terposing cold should strike into the womb, and oc- casion a miscarriage, and thereby deprive them of the fruit of their labour. And when after some small convenient time the man hath withdrawn himself, let the woman gently betake herself Part I. Completed. 75 herself to rest, with all imaginable serenity and com- posure of mind, from all anxious and disturbing thoughts, or any other kind of perturbation whatso- ever; And let her as much as she can, forbear turn- ing herself from that side on which she first reposed; and by all means let her avoid coughing and sneez- ing, which by its violent concussion of the body, is a great enemy to conception, if it happen soon after the act of coition. And thus I have finished the First Part of this Treatise, which I hope will be to the honest and so- ber Reader's satisfaction. Let thy intention, and thy reading be, T' improve aright the use of modesty; And ridicule not nature's secrets, which If rightly us'd will make thee truly rich; Then, Reader, in the reading of the end, You'll find content for which this book is pen'd. The End of the First Part. D2 A 76 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, A Private Looking-Glass FOR THE FEMALE SEX. PART the SECOND. Treating of several Maladies incident to the Womb, with proper Remedies for the Cure of each. CHAP. I. Of the Womb in general. ALTHOUGH in the First Part I have spoken something of the fabric of the womb, yet be- ing in the Second Part to treat more particu- larly thereof, and of the various distempers and ma- ladies it is subject to: I shall not think it tautology, to give you by way of instruction, a general descrip- tion both of its situation and parts, but rather think this Second Part would be imperfect without it, for that it can by no means be omitted, especially, since in it I am to speak of the quality of the menstrual blood. First, Touching the Womb: Of the Grecians it is called, Metra, the mother; Adelphos, saith Prisci- an, because it makes us all brothers. It Part II. Completed. 77 It is placed in the hypogastrum, or lower part of the body, in the cavity called pelvis, having the strait gut on one side, to keep it from the other side of the back-bone, and the bladder on the other side to de- fend it from blows. The form or figure of it is like a virile member, only thus excepted; the manhood is outward, and womanhood within. It is divided into the neck and the body: The neck consists of a hard fleshy substance, much like a cartilage, at the end thereof there is a membrane traversly placed, called hymen or engion, near un- to the neck there is a prominent pinacle, which is called of Montanus, the door of the womb, because it preserveth the matrix from cold and dust. Of the Grecians it is called clytoris, of the Latins pre- putium muliebre, because the Jewish women did a- buse those parts to their own mutual lusts as St. Paul speaks, Rom. i. 26. The body of the womb is that wherein the child is conceived. And this is not altogether round, but dilates itself into two angles, the outward part of it is nervous and full of sinews, which are the cause of its motion, but inwardly it is fleshy. It is fabulously reported, that in the cavity of the womb there are seven divided cells, or receptacles for human seed. But those that have seen anato- mies, do know there are but two; and likewise, that these two are not divided by a partition, but only by a line, or suture running through the midst of it. In the right side of the cavity, by reason of the heat of the liver, males are conceived. In the left side by the coldness of the spleen, females are be- gotten. And this do most of our moderns hold for an in- fallible truth, yet Hippocrates holds it but in the general: For in whom (saith he) the spermatick vessels on the right side come from the reins, and spermatick vessels on the left side from the hol- low vein, in them males are conceived in the left side, and females in the right. Well therefore may I D3 conclude 78 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, conclude with the saying of Empedocles, Such some- times is the power of the seed, that a male may be conceived in the left side, as well as in the right. In the bottom of the cavity there are little holes called the cotiledones, which are the end of certain veins and arteries, serving in breeding women to convey substance to the child, which is received by the um- bilical veins; and others to carry the courses into the matrix. Now touching the menstruals, they are desined to be a monthly flux of excrementitious and unprofitable blood. In which we are to note, that the matter flowing forth is excrementitious; which is to be understood of the super plus or redundancy of it; for it is an ex- crement in quality, its quantity being pure and un- corrupt, like unto the blood in the veins. And that the menstrual blood is pure and subtile of itself, all in one quality with that in the veins, is proved two ways, First, from the final cause of the blood, which is the propagation and conservation of mankind; that man might be conceived, and being begotten, he might be comforted and preserved both in the womb and out of the womb. And all will grant it for a truth, that a child while it is in the ma- trix, is nourished with the blood; And it is true, that being out of the womb it is still nourished with the same, for the milk is nothing but the menstrual blood made white in the breast, and I am sure wo- man's milk is not thought to be venomous, but of a putritive quality, answerable to the tender nature of the infant. Secondly, It is proved to be true from the generation of it, it being the superfluity of the last aliment of the fleshly parts. It may be objected, If the body be not of a hurt- ful quality, how can it cause such venomous effects? As if the same falls upon trees and herbs, it maketh the one barren, and mortifieth the other. Averves writes: That if a man accompany with any menstru- ous woman, if she conceive the shall bring forth a leper. Part II. Completed. 79 leper. I answer, This malignity is contracted in the womb; for that wanting native heat to digest this su- perfluity, sends it to the matrix; where seating itself until the mouth of the womb be dilated, it becomes corrupt and venomous, which may easily be, consi- dering the heat and moisture of the place. This blood therefore being out of its vessels, it offends in quality. In this sense let us understand Pliny, Corneli- us Florus, and the rest of that torrent. But if frigi- dity be the cause why women cannot digest all their last nourishments, and consequently that they have these purgations, it remains to give a reason why they are of so cold a constitution more than man, which is this. The natural end of man and woman’s being, is to Propagate: And this injunction was imposed upon them by God at their first creation, and again after the deluge. Now in the act of conception there must be an agent and patient, for if they be both every way of one constitution, they cannot propagate; man therefore is hot and dry, woman cold and moist, he is the agent, she the patient, or weaker vessel, that she should be subject to the office of the man. It is necessary the woman should be of a cold constitution, because in her is required a redundancy of nature for the infant depending on her; for otherwise, if there were not a super plus of nourishment for the child, more than is convenient for the mother, then would the infant detract and weaken the principal parts of the mother, and like unto the viper, the generation of the infant would be the destruction of the parent. The monthly purgations continue from the six- teenth year to the forty-sixth or fifty. Yet often here happens a suppression, which is either natural or morbifical, they are naturally supprest in breeding women, and such as suck. The morbifical suppressi- on falls now into our method to be spoken of. D4 CHAP. 80 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. II. Of the retention of the Courses. THE suppression of the terms is an intercep- tion of that accustomary evacuation of blood, which every month should come from the matrix, proceed from the instrument or matter vitiated, the part affected is the womb, and that of itself or by consent. Cause.] The cause of this suppression is either ex- ternal or internal. The external cause may be heat or dryness of the air, immoderate watching, great labour, vehement motion, &c. whereby the matter is so consumed and the body so exhausted, that there is not a super plus remaining to be expelled, as is recorded of the Amazons who being active, and al- ways in motion, had their fluxions very little or not at all. Or it may be caused by cold, which is most frequent, making the blood vicious and gross, con- densing and binding up the passages that it cannot flow forth. The internal cause is either instrumental or materi- al, in the womb or in the blood. In the womb it may be divers ways; by apost- humes, humours, ulcers, by the narrowness of the veins and passages, or by the omentum or kell in fat bodies, pressing the neck of the matrix; but then they must have hernia zirthilis, for in mankind the kell reacheth not so low. By over much cold or heat, the one vitiating the action, and the other consuming the matter by an evil composition of the uterine parts, by the neck of the womb being turned aside; and sometimes, though rarely, by a membrane or excrescence of the flesh growing about the mouth or neck of the womb. The blood may be in fault two ways, in quantity or quality. In quantity when it is so consumed, that there is not a super plus left, us in Viragoes, or virile women; who, though their heat Part II. Completed. 81 heat and strength of nature, digest and consume all in their last nourishment; as Hippocrates writes of Prethusa, who being exalted by her husband Pathea, her terms were supprest, her voice chang- ed, and had a beard with the countenance of a man. But these I judge rather to be Tynopagi, or wo- man eaters, than woman breeders: because, they consume one of the principles of generation, which gives a being to the world, viz. The menstrual blood. The blood likewise may be consumed, and consequently the terms stayed by bleeding at the nose, by a flux of the hemorrhoids, by a dysentery, commonly called the bloody flux, by many other evacuations and continual and chronical diseases. Secondly, The matter may be vicious in quality; as suppose it be sanguinous, phlegmatically, bilious, or melancholic; every one of these, if they of- fend in grossness, will cause an obstruction in the veins. Signs.] Signs manifesting the disease, are pains in the head, neck, back, and loins; weariness of the whole body, but especially of the hips and legs, by reason of a confinity which the matrix hath with these parts, trembling of the heart; particular signs are these, if the suppression proceed from cold, she is heavy, sluggish, of a pale colour, and has a flow pulse; Venus’ combats are neglected, the urine crudle, waterish, and much in quantity, the excre- ments of the guts usually are retained. If of heat, the signs are contrary to those now recited. If the retention be natural, and come of conception, this may be known by drinking of hydromel, that is, water and honey, after supper going to bed, and by the effect which it worketh; for after the taking of it, she feels a beating pain upon the na- vel, and lower part of the belly, it is a sign she hath conceived, and that the suppression is natural; if not then it is vicious, and ought medicinally to be taken away. Prognostics.] With the evil quality of the D5 womb 82 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, womb the whole body stands charged, but especial- ly the heart, the liver and the brain, and betwixt the womb and these three principal parts, there is a singular concert. First, The womb communicates to the heart, by the mediation of those arteries which come from aorta. Hence the terms being sup- press, will ensue saintings, swoonings, intermission of pulse, cessation of breath. Secondly, It commu- nicates to the liver, by the veins derived from the hollow vein. Hence will follow obstructions, cahe- xies, jaundice, dropsies, hardness of spleen. Third- ly, It communicates to the brain, by the nerves and membrane of the back, hence will arise epilepsies, frenzies, melancholy, passion, pain in the after parts of the head, fearfulness, inability of speaking. Well therefore may I conclude with Hippocrates, If the months be supprest, many dangerous diseases will follow. Cure.] In the cure of this, and of all the other following effects, I will observe this order. The cure shall be taken from chirurgical pharmaceutical, and diuretical means. This suppression is a phle- thorick effect, and must be taken away by evacua- tion. And therefore we will first begin with phle- botomy. In the midst of the menstrual period, open the liver vein; and for the reversion of the humour, two days before the wonted evacuation, open the saphena on both feet; if the repletion be not great, apply cupping glasses to the legs and thighs, and although there be no hope to remove the suppression. As in some the cotyledones are so closed up, (that nothing but copulation will open them) yet it will be convenient, as much as may be, to ease nature of her burden, by opening the hemorrhoid veins with a leach. After phleboto- my, let the humours be prepared and made fluxile with syrup of stychas, calamint, betony, hyssop, mugwort, horehound, fumitary, maiden-hair; bath with camomile, peny-royal, savia, bay-leaves, ju- niper-berries, rue, marjoram, feverfew: Take of the Part II. Completed. 83 the leaves of nep, maiden-hair, fuccoiy, betony, of each an handful, make a decoction: Take there- of three ounces. Syrup of maiden-hair, mugwort, succory, mix of each half an ounce. After she comes out of the bath, let her drink it off. Purge with pill de agaric, fleybang, corb, feriœ. Galen in this case commends pilulœ de caberica, colocintida; for as they are proper to purge the humour offend- ing, so also they do open the passage of the womb, and strengthen the faculty, by their aromatical qua- lity. If the stomach be overcharged, let her take a vo- mit. yet such a one as may work both ways, less working only upward, it should too much turn back the humour. Take trochisks of agarick two drams, infuse them in two ounces of oxeymel, in which dis- solve of the electuary diasarum one scruple and a half, benedic laxat, half an ounce. Take this after the manner of a purge. After the humour hath been purged, proceed to more proper and forcible remedies. Take of tro- chisk of myrrh, one dram and a half; parsley seed, castor rhinds, or cassia, of each one scruple; and of the extract of mugwort, one scruple and a half; musk ten grains with the juice of smallage; make twelve pills, take six every morning, or after sup- per going to bed. Take of cinnamon half an ounce, siniruium, or roges, yalerin aristolochia, of each two drams; roots of astrum one dram; castor, saf- fron, of each two scruples; spec. diambiæ, two drams; trochisk of myrrh, four scruples; tattari vitriolari, two scruples; make half into a powder with mugwort-water, and sugar a sufficient quanti- ty: make lozenges, take one dram of them every morning: Or mingle one dram of the powder with one dram of the sugar, and take it in white wine. Take of prepared steel, spec. hier. of each two drams, borax, spec. of myrrh, of each one scruple; with the juice of savine: Make it up in eighty- eight lozenges, and take three every other day be- D6 fore 84 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, fore dinner. Take of castor one scruple; wild car- rot-seed, half a dram; with syrup of mugwort, and make four pills, take them in a morning fasting, and so for three days together, before the wonted time of the purgations. Take of agaric, aristolochia, juice of horehound, of each five drains; rhubarb, spike- nard, anniseed, galbanum, assafœitda, mallow-root, gentian, of the three peppers, laccæ, of each six drams; with honey make electuary, take of it three drams for a doze. In phlegmatic bodies, nothing can better be given than the decoction of the wood guaiacum, with a little dielam, taken in the morning fasting, and so for twelve days together, without provoking of sweet. Administer to the lower parts by suffumigations, pessaries, unctions, injections, infections; make suf- fumigations, of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, bay- berries, mugwort, galbanum, malanthium, amber, &c. Make pessaries of figs, and the leaves of mer- cury bruised and rolled up with lint. If you desire a stronger, make one of myrrh, adulim, apopanax, ammoniacum, galbanum, sagepanum, mithridate, agariack, coloquentida, &c. Make injections of the decoction of origane, mugwort, mercury, be- tony, and figs, inject it into the womb by an instru- ment fit for that purpose. Take of oil of almonds, lilies, capers, camomile, of each half an ounce: Laudani, oil of myrrh, of each two drams; with wax make an unguent, with which let the place be anointed, make infessions of fenugreck, camomile, melilot, dill, marjoram, peny-royal, feverfew, ju- niper-berries, and calamint. But if the suppression comes by a defect of matter, then ought not the courses to be provoked, until the spirits be animated, and the blood again increased. Or if by proper ef- fects of the womb, as dropsies, inflammations, &c. Then must a particular care be used, the which I will not insist upon here, but speak of them as they lay in order. If the retention comes from repletion or fullness, let Part II. Completed. 85 let the air be hot and dry, use moderate exercise be- fore meals, and your meat and drink attenuating: seethe with your meat, garden savory, thyme, origane, and cyche peason: If of emptiness, or defect of matter, the air be moist, and moderate hot; shun exer- cise, and watchings, let your meat be nourishing, and of a light digestion, as rare eggs, lamb, chickens, almonds, milk, and the like. CHAP. III. Of the overflowing of the Courses. THE learned say, by comparing of contraries truth is made manifest. Having therefore spok- en of the suppression of Terms; order requires now that I should insist on the overflowing of them, an effect no less dangerous than the former, and this immoderate flux of the month is designed to be a sanguineous excrement proceeding from the womb, exceeding both in quantity and time. First, It is said to be sanguinous, the matter of the flux being only blood, wherein it differs from that which is commonly called the false courses or whites; of which I shall speak hereafter. Secondly, It is said to proceed from the womb, for there are two ways by which the blood flows forth, the one is by the internal veins in the body of the womb, and this is properly called the monthly flux. The other is by those veins which are terminated in the neck of the matrix; and this is called of Ætius, the hemorrhoids of the womb. Lastly, It is said to exceed both in quantity and time. In quantity, saith Hippocrates, when they flow about eighteen ounces: In time, when they flow above three days; but we take this for a certain character of their inordinate flowing, when the faculties of the body thereby are weak- ened: In bodies abounding with gross humours, this immoderate flux sometimes unburthens nature of her load, 86 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, load, and ought not to be staid without the counsel of a physician. Cure.] The cause of this affair is internal or ex- ternal; the internal cause is threshold, in the matter, instrument, or faculty: The matter which is the blood, may be vicious two ways. First, By the heat of constitution, climate, or season heating the blood, whereby the passages are dilated, and the faculty weakened, that it cannot retain the blood. Second- ly, By falls, blows, violent motion, breaking of the veins, &c. The external cause may be validity of the air, listing, carrying of heavy burdens, unnatural child- birth, &c. Signs.] In this inordinate flux the appetite is de- cayed, the conception deprived, and all the actions weakened; the feet are swelled, the colour of the face is changed, and a general feebleness posses Seth the whole body: If the flux comes by the breaking of a vein, the body is sometimes cold, the blood flows forth on heaps and that suddenly, with great pains. If it comes through heat, the orifice of the vein being dilated, then is there little or no pain: yet the blood flows faster than it doth in an erosion and not so fast as it doth in a rupture. If by erosion, or sharpness of blood, she feels a great heat sealing the passage, it differs from the other two, in that it flows not so suddenly, nor so copiously as they do: If by weakness of the womb, she abhorreth the use of Venus. Lastly, if it proceed from an evil qua- lity of the blood, drop some of it on a cloth, and when it is dry, you may judge of the quality by the colour. If it be choleric, it will be yellow; if melancholy, black; if phlegmatic, waterish and whitish. Prognostic.] If with the flux be joined a con- vulsion, it is dangerous because it intimates the more nobler parts are vitiated; and a convulsion caused by emptiness, is deadly: If it continues long, it will be cured with great difficulty, for it was one Part II. Completed. 87 one of the miracles which our Saviour Christ wrought to cure this disease, when it had continued twelve years. To conclude, If the flux be inordinate, ma- ny diseases will ensue, and without remedy, the blood together with the native heat, being consumed, either cachectical, hydropical, or parelitical disease: will follow. Cure.] The cure consisteth in three particulars, First, In repelling and carrying away the blood. Secondly, In correcting and taking away the flexibi- lity of the matter. Thirdly, In corroborating the veins and faculties: For the first, to cause a regression of the blood, open a vein in the arm, and draw out so much blood, as the strength of the patient will per- mit; and that not together, but at several times, for thereby the spirits are less weakened, and the refrac- tion so much the greater. Apply cupping glasses to the breasts, and also the liver, that the reversion may be in the foun- tain. To correct the flexibility of the matter, cathar- tical means, moderated with the astrictories may be used. If it be caused by erosion, or sharpness of blood, consider whether the erosion be by salt phlegm, or adult choler, if by salt phlegm, prepare with syrup of violets, wormwood, roses, citron-peel, succory, &c. Then take this purgation following: Mirobu- lana, chebol half an ounce; trochisks of agarick, one dram, with plantain-water, make a decoction, add thereunto fir, rosat, lax, three ounces, and make a potion. If by adult choler, prepare the body with syrup of roses, myrtles, sorrel, purslain, mix with water of plantain, knot-grass, and endive. Then purge with this potion: Take rind of mirobolana, rhu- barb, of each one dram; cinnamon, fifteen grains; infuse them one night in endive-water; add to the straining pulp of tamarind, cassia, of each half an ounce, syrup of roses, an ounce; make a potion: If 88 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, If the blood be waterish or unconcoct, as it is in the hydropical bodies, and flows forth by reason of the tenuity or thinness to draw off the water, it will be profitable to purge with agarick elaterium, coloquintida: Sweating is proper in this case, for thereby the matter offending is taken away, and the motion of the blood carried to the outward parts. To procure sweat, use carduus water, with mithridate, or the decoction of guaiacum, and sar- saparilla. The gum of guaiacum also, doth great- ly provoke sweat, pills of sarsaparilla, taken every night going to bed, are worthily commended. If the blood flows forth through the opening or break- ing of a vein, without any evil quality of itself, then ought only corroborative to be applied, which is the last thing to be done in this inordinate flux. Take of bole armoniack, one scruple; London treacle, one dram; old conserve of roses, half an ounce; with syrup of myrtles, make an electuary; or if the flux hath continued long, take of mastick two drams; olibani, troch de caraba, of each one dram; balaustium one scruple, make a powder; with syrup of quinces, make it into pills: Take one al- ways before meals, take lapidis, hæmatia triti, of each two scruples; spederdum, alantalia, one ounce; trench de carabede, scoria, serri, corral, frankincense, of each one scruple; fine bole, one scruple; beat these to fine powder, and with sugar and plantain- water a sufficient quantity, make lozenges; asses dung is well approved of, whether taken inwardly with syrup of quinces, or applied outwardly with steeled water. Galen by conveying the juice of it through a me- trenchita into the womb four days together, cured this immoderate flux, which no ways else could be restrained; going to bed, let her take one scruple and a half of pilon. rom. in water; make a suf- fumigation for the matrix, of mastic, frankincense, burnt frogs, not forgetting the hoof of a mule. Take Part II. Completed. 89 Take of the juice of knot grass, comfrey, quinces, of each one ounce: Camphire one dram, dip silk or cotton therein, and apply it to the place. Take of oil of mastic, myrtles, quinces, of each half an ounce; fine bole, troch de caraba, of each one dram, sanguis draconis, a sufficient quantity, make an un- guent, apply it both before and behind. Take of plantain, shepherds-purse, red rose-leaves, of each one handful, goats and asses dung dry’d, of each one ounce and a half; acatin, hypoc. each one ounce and a half; dried mint, one ounce; bean-meal three ounces. Boil all these in plantain-water, and make of it two plasters, apply one before, and the other behind. If the blood flow from those veins which are terminated in the neck of the matrix, then it is not called the overflowing of the terms, but the hemorrhoids of the womb: Yet the same cure will serve them both, only the instrumental cure will a little differ; for in the uterine hemorrhoids, the ends of the veins hang over like little teats or pushes, which must be taken away by incision, and then the veins closed up with aloes, sine bole, burnt alum, troach de terra fiall; myrrh, mastic with the juice of comfrey and knot grass, laid plaisterwise there- unto. The air must be cold and dry: All motion of the body is forbidden, let her meat be pheasant par- tridge, mountain birds, coneys, calf-feet, &c. And let her beer be mixt with juice of pomegranates and quinces. CHAP. IV. Of the weeping of the Womb. THE weeping of the womb is a flux of blood, unnatural, coming from thence by drops, after the manner of tears, causing violent pains in the same, keeping neither period nor time. By some it is referred unto the immoderate evacuation of the course, yet they are distinguished in the quantity and 90 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, and manner of overflowing, in that they flow copi- ously and free: In this continually, though by little and little, and that with great pain and difficulty; wherefore it is likened unto the strangury. The cause is in the faculty, instrument, or matter. In the faculty by being enfeebled, that it cannot ex- pel the blood; and the blood resting there, makes the part of the womb grow hard, and stretcheth the vessels from whence proceedeth the pain of the womb: In the instrument, by the narrowness of the passages. Lastly, It may be the matter of the blood, which may offend in too great a quantity, or in an evil quality. It being gross and thick, that it cannot flow forth as it ought to do, but by drops. The signs will best appear by the relation of the patient: Here- upon will issue pains in the head, stomach, and back; with inflammation, suffocations, and excoriations of the matrix: If the strength of the patient will per- mit, first open a vein in the arm, rub the upper parts, and let her arms be corded, that the force of the blood may be carried backward: Then apply such things as may laxate and mollify the strengthening of the womb, and assuage the sharpness of the blood; as cataplasms made of brand, linseed, fenugreek, melilot, mallows, mercury, and atriplex: If the blood be vicious and gross, add thereto mugwort, calamint, dictam, and betony; and let her take of Venice treacle, the quantity of a nutmeg, the syrup of mugwort every morning, make injection of the decoctions of mallows, mercury, linseed, ground- sel, mugwort, fenugreek, with oil of sweet al- monds. Sometimes it is caused by wind, and then phle- botomy is to be omitted, and in the dead thereof, take syrup of feverfew one ounce; honey, roses, syrup of roses, syrup of flæchus, of each half an ounce. Water of calamint, mugwort, betony, hyssop, of each one ounce; make a julep, if the pain continues, take this purgation. Take spec. hieræ, one dram; diacatholicon half an ounce; sy- rup Part II. Completed. 91 rup of roses, laxative one ounce; with the decoc- tion of mugwort, and the four cordial flowers make a potion. If it comes through the weakness of the faculty, let that be corroborated. If through the grossness and sharpness of the blood, let the quali- ty of it be altered, as I have shown in the forego- ing chapter. Lastly, If the excrement of the guts be retained, provoke them by glyster of the de- coctions of camomile, betony, feverfew, mallows, linseed, juniper berries, common seed, anniseed, melilote, adding thereto of diacatholicon, half an ounce; hira-piera, two drams; honey, oil, of each one ounce; salt nitre, a dram and a half. The patient must abstain from salt, sharp, and windy meats. CHAP. V. Of the false Courses or Whites. FROM the womb proceeds not only menstru- ous blood, but accidentally many other excre- ments, which by the ancients are comprehended un- der the title of robus gunakios; which is a distilla- tion of a variety of corrupt humours through the womb, flowing from the whole body, or part of the same, keeping neither course nor colour, but varying in both. Course.] The cause is either promiscuously in the whole body, by a cacochymia, or weakness of the same, or in some of the parts; as in the liver, which by the inability of the sanguificative facul- ty, causeth a generation of corrupt blood; and then the matter is reddish; sometimes the gall be- ing sluggish in its office, not drawing away those choleric superfluities engendered in the liver; and the matter is yellowish sometimes in the spleen, not defecating and cleansing the blood of the dregs and excrementitious parts. And then the matter flowing forth, is blackish: It may also come, from the 92 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, the catarrhs in the head, or from any other putri- fied or corrupted member: But if the matter of the flux be white, the cause is either in the sto- mach or reins. In the stomach by a phlegmatical and crude matter there contracted and variated, through grief, melancholy, and other distempers; for otherwise, if the matter were only petnical, crude, flegme, and no ways corrupt, being taken into the liver, it might be converted into blood: For flegme in the ventricle is called nourishment; half digested; But being corrupt, though sent into the liver, yet it cannot be turned into nutriment; for the second decoction, cannot correct that which the first hath corrupted; and therefore the liver sends it to the womb, which can neither digest nor repel it, and so it is voided out with the same co- lour it had in the ventricle. The cause also may be in the reins, being overheard; whereby the spermatical matter, by reason of its thinness flows forth. The external causes may be moistness of the air, eating of corrupt meats, anger, grief, sloth- fulness immoderate sleeping, costiveness in the body. The signs are exturbation of the body, short- ness and slinking of the breath, loathing of meat, pain in the head, swelling of the eyes and feet, melancholy; humidity flows from the womb of di- vers colours, as red, black, green, yellow, white. It differs from the flowing and overflowing of the courses, in that it keeps no certain period, and is of many colours, all which do generate from blood. Prognostics.] If the flux be flegmatical, it will con- tinue long, and be difficult to cure; yet if vomiting, for diarrhæ happeneth, diverts the humour, it cures the disease. If it be choleric, it is not so permanent; yet more perilous, for it will cause a cleft in the neck of the womb, and sometimes make an excoriation of the matrix, in melancholic, it must be dangerous and Part II. Completed. 93 and contumacious. Yet the flux of the hemorrhoids administers cure. If the matter flowing forth be reddish, open a vein in the arm; if not, apply ligatures to the arms and shoulder; Galen glories of himself, how he cured the wife of Brutus labouring of this disease, by rubbing the upper part with crude honey. If it be caused by a distillation from the brain, take syrup of betony, stochas and marjoram, purge with pill coch, fine quibus de agarico; make nasalia of the juice of sage, hyssop, betony, nigella, with one drop of oil of elect. dianth. aromat. roast, diambræ, dio- moseh, dulcis, of each one dram; nutmeg half a dram; with sugar and betony-water, make lozenges, to be taken every morning and evening. Auri Alexandri- na half a dram at night going to bed. If these things help not, use the suffumigation and plaster, as they are prescribed. If it proceed from crudities in the stomach, or from a cold distempered liver, take every morning of the decoction of lignum sanctum; purge with pill de agarico, de hermodact, de heira, diacolinthid, fœtid, agrigatio, take elect, aronat, roses two drams; ci- tron peel dried, nutmeg, long pepper, of each one scruple; diagalanga one dram; santali, alb, ling, a- loes, of each half a scruple; sugar six ounces: with mint water, and make lozenges of it. Take of them before meals, if with frigidity of the liver there be joined a repletion of the stomach, purging by vomit is commendable. For which three drams of the e- lectuary diasatu. Galen allows of diuretical means as absum, petrosolinan. If the matter of the flux be choleric, prepare the humour with syrup of roses, violets, endive, succo- ry: Purge with mirobolans, manna, rhubarb, cassia. Take of rhubarb two drams; aniseed one dram; cinnamon a scruple and a half; infuse them in six ounces prune broth: Add to the straining of manna one ounce, and take in the morning according to art. Take specierum, diatonlanton, diacorant, prig diar- thod, 94 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, thod, abbaris dyacydomes, of each one dram; sugar four ounces; with plantain-water, make lozenges. If the clyster of the gall be sluggish, and do not stir up the faculty of the gut, give hot glysters of the de- coction of the four mollifying herbs, with honey of roses and aloes. If the flux be melancholic, prepare with syrup of maidenhair, epithymium, polipody, borrage buglos, fumitary, hart's-tongue, and syrupus bisantius, which must be made without vinegar, otherwise it will ra- ther animate the disease than nature; for melancholy by the use of vinegar is increased, and both by Hip- pocrates, Silvius, and Avenzoar; it is disallowed of as an enemy to the womb, and therefore not to be used inwardly in all uterine diseases. Purgers of me- lancholy are pilulæ, sumariæ, pilulæ, lud de lapina, lazuli, diosena and confectio hamec. Take of stamp- ed prunes two ounces; sen. one dram; epithimium, polipody, fumitary of each a dram and a half; sow- er dates one ounce; with endive-water, make a de- coction; take of it four ounces; add unto it confec- tions, hamelech three drams; manna three drams. Or take pil-indie, pil-fœtid, agarici, trochisati, of each one scruple; pills of rhubarb one scruple; lapi- dis lazuli six grains; with syrup of epithimium make pills, and take them once every week. Take elect lætificants, galen three drams; diamargariti, calim- lone, diamosci, dulcis, conserves of borage, violets, bugloss of each a dram; citron peel, candite, one, dram; sugar seven ounces; with roses water, make lozenges. Lastly, Let the womb be cleansed from the cor- rupt matter, and then corroborated: For the purify- ing thereof make injections of the decoction of be- tony, feverfew, spikenard, bistort, mercury, sage; adding thereto sugar, oil of sweet almonds, of each two ounces; pessaries also may be made of silk, cot- ton, modified in the juice of the aforenamed herbs. To corroborate the womb, you must thus prepare trochisks, take of mugwort, feverfew, myrrh, am- ber, Part II. Completed. 95 ber, mace, nutmeg, styrax, lign, aloes, red roses, of each one ounce; with the mucilage, tragacanth, make trochisks; cast some of them into coals, and smoke the womb therewith, and make fomentations for the womb of red wine; in which hath been decocted, mastic, fine bole, baluster and red roses; anoint the matrix with the oil of quinces and myrtles, and apply thereto emplastrum, pro matrice; and let her take diamoscum, dulce, and aract. elematicum every morning. A dried diet is commended to be best, because in this effect, the body most commonly abounds with phlegmatically and crude humours. For this cause Hippocrates counsels the patient to go to bed supper less. Let her meat be partridge, pheasant, and mountain birds, rather roasted than boiled; im- moderate sleep is forbidden, moderate exercise is commended. CHAP. VI. Of the Suffocation of the Mother. THIS effect (which if simply considered, is none but the cause of an effect) is called in English the suffocation of the mother, not because the womb is strangled, but for that it caused the womb to be choked. It is a retraction of the womb towards the midriff and stomach, which pres- sed and crushed up the same, that the instrumental cause of respiration, the midriff is suffocated; and consenting with the brain, causing the animating fa- culty, the efficient cause of respiration also to be in- tercepted, where the body being refrigerated and the action depraved, she falls to the ground as one being dead. In these hysterical passions some continue longer, some shorter; Rabbi Moses writes of some who lay in the paroxysm of the fit for two days. Rufus makes mention of one who continued in the same passion 96 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, passion three days and three nights; and at the three days end she revived. That we may learn by other men harms to beware, I will tell you an ex- ample, Parœus writeth of a woman in Spain who suddenly fell into an uterine suffocation, and appear- ed to men judgment as dead; her friends wondering at this her sudden change, for their better satisfac- tion sent for a surgeon to have her dissected; who beginning to make an incision, the woman began to move, and with great clamour returned to herself again, to the horror and admiration of all the specta- tors. To the end that you may distinguish the living from the dead, the ancients prescribe three expe- riments: The first is to lay a light feather to the mouth, and by its motion you may judge whether the patient be living or dead. The second is, To place a glass of water on the breast, and if you perceive it to move, it betokened life. The third is, To hold a pure looking-glass to the mouth and nose; and if the glass appears thick with a little dew upon it, it betokened life. And these three experiments are good, yet with this caution, that you ought not to depend on them too much; for though the feather and the water do not move, and the glass continue pure and clear, yet it is not a necessary consequence that she is deltitute of life: For the motion of the lungs by which the respira- tion is made, may be taken away that she cannot breathe, yet the internal transpiration of the heat may remain; which is not manifest by the motion of the breast or lungs, but lies occult in the heart and inward arteries: Examples whereof we have in the fly and swallow, which in the cold of winter, to the ocular aspect, seem dead, inanimate and breathe not at all. Yet they live by the transpiration of that heat which is reserved in the heart and inward arteries: Therefore when the summer approach- ed, the internal heat being relocated to the out- ward Part II. Completed. 97 ward parts, they are then again revived out of their sleepy ecstasy. Those women therefore that seem to die suddenly, and upon no evident cause, let them not be commit- ted unto the earth unto the end of three days, lest the living be buried for the dead. Cure.] The part affected is the womb, of which there is a twofold motion; natural, and symptoma- tical. The natural motion is, when the womb at- tracteth the human seed, or excludes the infant or secundine. The symptomatically motion of which we are to speak, is a convulsive drawing up of the womb. The cause usually is in the retention of the seed, or the suppression of the menses, causing a reple- tion of the corrupt humours in the womb, from whence proceeds a status refrigeration, causing a convulsion of the ligaments of the womb. And as it may come from humidity or repletion, be- ing a convulsion, it may be caused by emptiness or dryness. And lastly, By abortion or difficult child- birth. Signs.] At the approaching of the suffocation, there is a paleness of the face, weakness of the legs, shortness of breath, frigidity of the whole body, with a working up into the throat, and then she falls down as one void both of sense and motion; the mouth of the womb is closed up, and being touched with the finger feels hard, the paroxysm of the fit once past she opened her eyes, and feeling her stomach oppress, she offers to vomit. And lest any one should be deceived in taking one disease for another, I will shew how it may be distinguished from those diseases which have the nearest affinity to it. It differs from the apoplexy, by reason it comes without shrieking out; also in the hysterical pas- sion, the sense of feeling is not altogether destroy- ed and lost, as it is in the apoplectical disease : And it differs from the epilepsies in that the eyes are not E wrested, 98 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, wrested, neither doth any spongy froth come from the mouth; and that convulsive motion, which some- times, and that often is joined to suffocations, is not universal, as it is in the epilepsy, only this or that matter is convulsed, and that without any vehement agitation. In the syncope, both respiration and pulse are taken away; the countenance waxed pale; she swoons away suddenly; but in the hysterical passion commonly there is both respiration and a pulse, tho’ it cannot be well perceived, her face looks red, and she hath a sore warning of her fit. Yet it is not de- nied but that syncope may be joined with this suffo- cation. Lastly, It is distinguished from the lethargy by the pulse, which in the one is great, and in the o- ther little. Prognostics.] If the disease hath its being from the corruption of the seed, it foretells more danger than if it proceeded from the suppression of the cour- ses, because the seed is concocted and of a purer qua- lity than the menstrual blood; and the more pure being corrupted, becomes the more foul and filthy; as appears in eggs, the purest nourishment, which vitiated yield the noisomest favour. If it be accom- panied with a syncope, it shews nature is but weak, and that the spirits are almost exhausted; but if sneez- ing follows, it shews the heat which was almost ex- tinct, doth now begin to return, and that nature will subdue the disease. Cure.] In the cure of this effect, two things must be observed; First, That during the time of the pa- roxysm, nature be provoked to expel those malignant vapours which bind up the senses, that she may be recalled out of that sleepy ecstasy. Secondly, That in the intermission of the fit, proper medicines be ap- plied to take away the cause. To stir up nature, fasten cupping glasses to the hips and navel, apply ligatures unto the thighs; rub the extreme parts with salt, vinegar, and mustard; cause loud clamrous, and thunderings in the ears, Apply to the nose, assafœtida castor, and sagapaneum steep- ed Part II. Completed. 99 ed in vinegar, provoke her to sneeze. by blowing up into her nostrils the powder of castor, white pepper, pellitory of Spain, and hellebore. Hold under her nose partridge feathers, hair, and old shoes burnt; and all other stinking things, for evil odours are an enemy to nature: Hence the animal spirits do so contest and strive against them, that the natural heat is thereby restored. The brain is so oppress some- times, that we are compelled to burn the outward skin of the head with hot oil, or with a hot iron. Sharp clysters and suppositories are available. Take of sage, calamint, horehound, feverfew, mar- joram, betony, hyssop, of each one handful; ani- seed half an ounce; coloquintida, white hellebore, sal. gem, of each two drams; boil these in two Pounds of water to the half; add to the straining oil of castor two ounces; hiera-picra two drams, and make a glyster of it. Or take honey boiled, two ounces; euphorb half a scruple; coloquent four grains; white hellebore two grains; salt one dram; make suppository. Hyppocrates writeth of a hyste- rical woman which could not be free from the pa- roxysm, but by pouring cold water on her. Yet this cure is particular, and ought to be administered in the midst of summer, when the sun is in the Tropic of Cancer. If it be caused by the retention and corruption of the seed, at the instant of the paroxysm, let the mid- wife take oil of lilies, marjoram, and bays; dissolving in the same two grains of civet; add as ranch musk; let her dip her finger therein, and put it up into the neck of the womb, tickling and rubbing the same. The fit being over, proceed to the curing of the cause. If it arise from the suppression of the men- ses, look the cure in Page 112. If from the reten- tion of the seed, a good husband will administer a cure; but those who cannot honestly purchase that cure, must use such things as will dry up and diminish the seed; as diaciminua, diacalaminthes, E2 &c. 100 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, &c. Amongst botanicks, the seed of agnus castus is well esteemed of; whether taken inwardly, applied outwardly, or received as suffumigation: It was held in great honour amongst the Athenians, for by it they did remain as pure vessels, and preserved their chastity by only strowing it on the bed whereon they lay, and hence the name of agnus castus given it, as denoting its effects. Make an issue on the inside of each leg, an hand breadth below the knee. Make trochisks of agarick two scruples; wild carrot-seed, lign-aloes, of each half a scruple; washed turpen- tine, three drams; with conserve of anthos make a bolus; castor is of excellent use in this case, eight drams of it taken in white wine, or you may make pills of with mithridate, and take them going to bed, Take of white briony-root dryed, and cut after the manner of carrots, one ounce; put into a draught of wine, placing it by the fire, and when it is warm drink it; take myrrh, castor, assafœtida, of each one scruple; saffron and rue seed, of each four grains; make eight pills, and take two every night going to bed. Galen by his own example commends unto us a- garick pulverized, of which he frequently gave one scruple in white wine; lay to the navel at bed-time a head of garlic bruised, fastening it with a swath- ing band; make a girdle of galbacum for the waist, and also a plaster for the belly, placing in one part of it civet and musk, which must be laid upon the navel. Take pulveris benedict, trochisk of agarick, of each two drams; mithridate a sufficient quantity; and so make two pessaries and it will purge the matrix of wind and phlegm, foment the natural part with salad oil, in which hath been boiled rue, feverfew and ca- momile. Take of rose-leaves a handful; cloves two scruples; quilt them in a little cloth, and boil them in marmsey, the eighth part of an hour, and apply them to the mouth of the womb as hot as may be endured, but let not the smell go to her nose. A drying diet must still be observed, the moderate use Part II. Completed. 101 use of Venus is commended. Let her bread be aniseed, biscuit, her flesh meat rather roasted than boiled. CHAP. VII. Of descending or falling of the Mother. THE falling down of the womb is a relaxation of the ligatures, whereby the matrix is carried backward, and in some hangs out in the bigness of an egg: Of this there are two kinds distinguished by a descending and precipitation. The descending of the womb is, when it sinks down to the entrance of the privates, and appears to the eye either not at all, or very little. The precipitation is, when the womb like a purse is turned inside outward, and hangs betwixt the thighs in the bigness of a cupping glass. Cause.] The cause is external or internal: The external cause is difficult child-birth, violent pulling away of the secundine, rashness and inexperience in drawing away the child, violent coughing, sneezing, falls, blows, and carrying heavy burthens. The in- ternal cause in general, is overmuch humidity flow- ing into these parts, hindering the operation of the womb, whereby the ligaments by which the womb is supported is relaxed. The cause in particular is referred to be in the re- tention of the seed, or in the suppression of the month- ly courses. Signs.] The arse, gut, and bladder, oftentimes are so crushed, that the passage of both the excre- ments arc hundred: If the urine flows forth white and thick, and the midriff is molested, the loins are grieved, the privates pained, and the womb sinks down to the private parts; or else comes clean out. Prognostics.] This grief possessing an old woman, E3 is 102 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, is cured with great difficulty; because it weakens the faculties of the womb, and therefore though it be reduced into its proper place, yet upon every little illness or indisposition, it is subject to return; and so it also is with the younger fort, if the disease be inve- terate. If it be caused by a putrefaction in the-nerves, it is incurable. Cure.] The womb being naturally placed between the strait gut and the bladder, and now fallen down, ought not to be put up again, until the faculty berth of the gut and the bladder be stirred up; nature be- ing unloaded of her burden, let the woman be laid on her back in such fort, that her legs may be high- er than her head; let her feet be drawn up to her hinder parts, with her knees spread abroad: Then mollify the swelling with oil of lilies and sweet al- monds, or with the decoction of mallows, beets, fe- nugreek, and linseed: When the inflammation is dissipated, let the midwife anoint her hand with oil of mastic, and reduce the womb into its place. The matrix being up, the situation of the patient must be changed, let her legs be put out at length and laid together, fix cupping-glasses to her breasts and navel; boil mugwort, feverfew, red-roses and comfrey in red-wine; make suffumigations for the matrix, and move sweet odours to her nose; and at her coming out of the bath, give her of syrup of fe- verfew one ounce; with a dram of mithridate. Take laudani, mastic, of each three drams; make a plais- ter of it for the navel: Then make pessaries of asa- fœtida, saffron, comfrey, mastic, adding thereto a little castor. The practice of Parius in this case was to make them only of cork, in figure like a little egg co- vering them over with wax and mastic dissolved to- gether, fastening it to a thread, and so put it into the womb. The present danger being now taken away, and the matrix seated in its natural abode, the remote cause must be removed; If the body be plethorick, open Part II. Completed. 103 open a vein; prepare with syrup of betony, cala- mint, hyssop and feverfew. Purge with pil. hierac. agaric, pil. de colocin. If the stomach be oppress with crudities, unburden it by vomiting, sudorifical decoctions of lignum sanctum, and sassafras taken twenty days together; dry up the superfluous moi- sture, and consequently suppress the cause of the disease. Let the air be hot and dry, your diet hot and at- tenuating; abstain from dancing, leaping, squeezing, and from all motion both of body and mind; eat sparingly, drink not much, sleep moderately. CHAP. VIII. Of the Inflammation of the Womb. THE phlegmon, or inflammation of the Matrix is an humour possessing the whole womb, accompa- nied with unnatural heat, by obstruction and gather- ing together of corrupt blood. Cause.] The cause of this effect is suppression or the menses, repletion of the whole body, immo- derate use of Venus, often handling the genitals, difficult child-birth, vehement agitation of the bo- dy, falls, blows; to which also may be added, the use of sharp pessaries, whereby not seldom the womb is inflamed, cupping-glasses also fastened to the pu- bis and hypogastrium, draw the humours to the womb. Signs.] The signs are anguish, humours, pain in the head and stomach; vomiting, coldness of the knees, convulsions of the neck, doating, trembling of the heart, often there is a straitness of breath, by reason of the heat which is communicated to the midriff, the breasts sympathizing with the womb, pained and swelled. Further, If the forepart of the matrix be inflamed, the privates are grieved, the urine is suppress, or flows forth with difficulty. If E4 the 104 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, the after-part, the loins and back suffer, the excre- ments are retained; if the right side, the right hip suffers, the light leg is heavy, (low to motion, in to much, that sometimes she seems to halt. And so if the left side of the womb be enflamed; the left hip is pained, and the left leg is weaker than the right. If the neck of the womb be refreshed the midwife putting up her finger, shall feel the mouth of it retracted, and closed up with a hardness about it. Prognostics.] All inflammations of the womb are dangerous, if not deadly; and especially, if the to- tal substance of the matrix be enflamed: Yet they are perilous if in the neck of the womb. A flux of the belly foretells health, if it be natural; for nature works best by the use of her own instru- ments. Cute.] In the cure, first let humours flowing to the womb be repelled; for effecting of which after the belly has been loosed by cooling clysters, phle- botomy will be needful; open therefore a vein in the firm, and (if she be not with child) the day after strike the saphena on both feet; fallen ligatures and cupping-glasses to the arm, and rub the upper part. Purge lightly with cassia, rhubarb, senna, myrobalans. Take of senna two drams; aniseed one scruple; my- robalans half an ounce; barley water a sufficient quantity; make a decoction, dissolve in it syrup of succory, with rhubarb two ounces; pulp of cassia half an ounce; oil of aniseed two drops, and make a potion. At the beginning of the disease, anoint the privates and reins with oil of roses and quinces; make plasters of plantain, linseed, barley-meal, melilot, fenugreek, whites of eggs; and if the pain be vehement add a little opium; foment the genitals with the decoction of poppy-heads, purslain, knot- grass, and water-lilies; make injections of goat's- milk, rose water, clarified whey, with honey of roses. In the declining of the disease, use incisions of sage, linseed, mugwort, peny-royal, horehound, fenugreek. Part II. Completed. 105 fenugreek. Anoint the lower parts of the belly with the oil of chamomile and violets. Take lily-roots and mallow roots, of each four ounces; mercury one handful; mugwort, feverfew, chamomile-flowers, melilot, of each a handful and a half; bruise the herbs and root, and boil them in a sufficient quantity of milk; then add fresh butter, oil of chamomile, lilies, of each two ounces; bean-meal a sufficient quantity; make two plasters, the one be- fore and the other behind. If the tumor cannot be removed, but tends to sup- puration: Take fenugreek, mallow-roots, decocted figs, linseed, barley-meal, dove’s-dung, turpentine or each three drams; deer’s duet half a dram; opium half a scruple; with wax make a plaster. Take of bay-leaves, sage, hyssop, chamomile, mug- wort, and with water make an in cession. Take wormwood, betony, of each half an handful; white wine, milk of each half a pound; boil them until one part be confirmed; then take of this de- coction four ounces; honey of roses two ounces; and make an injection. Yet beware the humours be not brought down into the womb; take roasted figs, mer- cury bruised, of each three drams; turpentine, duck’s grease, of each three drams; opium two grains; with wax and make a pessary. The air must be cold, all motion of the body espe- cially of the lower parts is forbidden, vigilance is commended; for by sleep the humours are carried inward, by which the inflammation is increased; eat sparingly, let your drink be barley-water, or clarifi- ed whey; and your meat be chickens, and chicken- broth, boiled with endive, succory, forrel, bugloss and mallows. E5 CHAP. 106 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. IX. Of the Schirrosity or Hardness of the Womb. OF phlegmon neglected, or not perfectly cured, is generated a cirrus of the matrix: Which is a hard unnatural swelling, insensibly hindering the operations of the womb, and disposing the whole body to slothfulness. Cause.] One cause of this disease may be ascribed to want of judgment in the physician; as many em- pirics administering to an inflammation of the womb, do overmuch refrigerate and infringe the humour, that it can neither pass forward nor backward; hence the matter being condensed, degenerates into a labi- dinous hard substance. Other causes may be suppres- sion of the menstruous retention of the lochia, com- monly called the after purging; eating of corrupt meats, as in the disordinate longing called piea, to which breeding women are so often subject. It may proceed also from obstructions and ulcers in the ma- trix, or from evil effects in the liver and spleen. Signs.] If the bottom of the womb be affected, she feels as it were a heavy burthen representing a mole; yet differing in that the breasts are attenuated and the whole body waxed less. If the neck of the womb be affected, no outward humours will appear; the mouth of it is retracted, and being touched with the fingers feels hard; nor can she have the company of a man without great pain and pricking. Prognostics.] A cirrus confirmed is incurable, and will turn into a cancer or incurable dropsy; and ending in a cancer proves deadly, because the native heat in those parts being almost smothered, can hard- ly again be restored. Cure.] Where there is a repletion, phlebotomy is advisable; wherefore open the medina on both arms, and the saphena on both feet, more especially if the menses be suppressed. Prepare Part II. Completed. 107 Prepare the humour with syrup of borage, succo- ry, epithymun and clarified whey: Then take of there pills following, according to the strength of the pa- tient. Take hiera picra six drams; black hellebore, poly- pody of each two drams and a half; agaric, la- pis lazoli, abluti, falindiæ, coloquintida, of each one dram and an half; mix them, and make pills: The body being purged, proceed to mollify the hardness as followed, anoint the privates and neck of the womb with unguent d’althea and agrippa, or take opopanax, bdellium, amoniack, myrrh, of each two drams; saffron half a dram; dissolve the gum in oil of lilies and sweet almonds, with wax and turpentine make an unguent; apply below the navel diacalion, ferellia; make incessions of figs, mugwort, mallows, penny-royal, althea, fennel-roots, melilote, fenugreek boiled in water. Make injections of calamint, lin- seed, melilote, fenugreek, and the four mollifying herbs; with oil of dill, chamomile, and lilies, dissolv- ed in the same. Three drams of the gum bdellium, cast the stone pyrites on the coals, and let her receive the fume into her womb. Foment the secret parts with decoction of the roots and leaves of danewort. Take of gum galbanum, opopanax, of each one dram: juice of dinewort, mucilage, fenugreek, of each half an ounce; calf’s marrow an ounce; wax a sufficient quantity; make a pessary, or make a pessary only of lead, dipping it in the aforesaid things, and so put up. The air must be temperate; gross, vicious and salt meats are forbidden, as pork, bull’s beef, fish, old cheese, &c. E6 CHAP. 108 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. X. Of the Dropsy of the Womb. THE uterine dropsy is an unnatural swelling, elevated by the gathering together of wind or phlegm in the cavity, membranes or substance of the womb, by reason of the debility of the native heat and aliment received, and so it turns into an excre- ment. The causes are overmuch cold or moistness of the melt and liver, immoderate drinking, eating of crude meats; all which causing a repletion, do suffocate the natural heat. It may be caused like- wise by the overflowing of the courses, or by any other immoderate evacuation. To these may be added abortives, phlegmons and schirrosities of the womb. Signs.] The signs of this effect are those, the lower parts of the belly, with the genitals, are pushed up and pained; the feet swell, the natural colour of the face decays, the appetite is depraved, and the heaviness of the whole body concurs. If she turns herself in the bed, from one side to the other, a noise like the flowing of water is heard. Water sometimes comes from the matrix. If the swelling be caused by wind, the belly being hot, it sounds like a drum; the guts rumble, and the wind breaks thro' the neck of the womb with a murmuring noise; this effect may be distinguished from a true conception many ways, as will appear by the chapter of concep- tion. It is distinguished from the general dropsy, in that the lower parts of the belly are most swelled. Again, in this sanguificative faculty in appears not so hurtful, nor the urine so pale, nor the countenance so soon changed, neither are the superior parts extenu- ated as the general dropsy. Prognostics.] This effect foretells the sad ruin of Part II. Completed. 109 of the natural functions, by that singular consent the womb hath with the liver; that therefore the chache- vy or general dropsy will follow. Cure.] In the cure of this disease, imitate the practice of Hippocrates: First, Mitigate the pain with fomentation of melilot, mercury, mallows, linseed, chamomile, althea. Then let the womb be prepared with syrup of stœhis, hyssop, calamint, mugwort of both sorts; with the distilled waters, or decoction of dodder, marjoram, sage, origan, spe- rage, penny-royal, betony; purge with sena, agaric, rhubarb, elaterium. Take specierum, hier, rhubarb, trochisks of agaric, of each one scruple; with juice of iros, make pills. In diseases which have their rise from moistness, purge with pills. And in these effects which are caused by emptiness or dryness purge with potion. Fasten a cupping-glass to the belly, with a great fame, and also the navel, especially if the swelling be flatulent; Make an issue on the inside of each leg, a hand-breadth below the knee. Take spe- cierum, diambræ, diamosci, diacalaminti, diacina- moni, diacimini. Troch. de myrrha, of each two drams; sugar one pound; with betony water make lozenges; take of them two hours before meals: Apply to the bottom of the belly as hot as may be endured, a little bag of chamomile, cummin, and melilot, boiled in oil of rue; anoint the belly and secret parts with unguent, agrippa, and unguent arragons; mingle there with oil of iris; cover the lower parts of the belly with the plaster of bay- berries; of a cataplasm, made of cummin, chamo- mile, briony roots, adding thereto cows and goats dung. Our moderns ascribe a great virtue to tobacco- water distilled, and poured into the womb by a metrenchyta: Take balm, southernwood, origan, wormwood, calamint, bay-leaves, marjoram, of each one handful; juniper berries four drams; with water make a decoction; of this may be made fo- mentations, 110 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, mentations, and infessions; make pessaries of styrag, aloes, with the roots of dictan, aristolochia, and gentian. Instead of this you may use the pessary prescribed, Page 117. Let her take of electuarium, aromaticum, diasatyron, and eringo-roots candied every morning. The air must be hot and dry, moderate exercise is allowed; much sleep is forbidden, she may eat the flesh of partridges, larks, chickens, mountain birds, hares, conies, &c. Let her drink be thin wine. CHAP. XI. Of Moles and false Conceptions. THIS disease is called by the Greeks, mole, and the cause of this denomination is taken from the load or heavy weight of it, it being a mole, or great lump of hard flesh burdening the womb. It is defined to be an inarticulate piece of flesh, without form begotten in the matrix, as if it were a true conception. In which definition we are to note two things. First, In that a mole is said to be inarti- culate, and without form; it differs from monsters, which are both format and articulate. Secondly, It is said to be as it were, a true conception, which puts a difference between a true conception and a mole, which difference holds good three ways: First, In the genus, in that a mole cannot be said to be an animal. Secondly, In the species, because it hath no human figure, and bears not the character of a man. Thirdly, In the individuum, for it hath no affinity with the parent, either in the whole body or any particular of the same. Cause.] About the cause of this effect amongst learned authors I find variety of Judgments. Some are of opinion, That if the woman’s seed goes into the womb; and not the man’s; therefore is the mole Part II. Completed. 111 mole produced, others there be that affirm it is in gendered of the menstrual blood. But if these two were granted, then maids by having their courses or through nocturnal pollutions, might be subject to the same, which never yet any were. The true cause of this fleshly mole proceeds both from the man and from the woman; from corrupt and barren seed in man, and from the menstrual blood in the woman both mixed together in the cavity of the womb, where nature finding herself weak (yet desiring to maintain the perpetuity of her species,) labours to bring forth a vicious conception, rather than none: And so instead of a living creature, generates a lump of flesh. Signs.] The signs of a mole are these. The months are suppressed, the appetite is depraved, the breasts swell, and the belly is suddenly pushed up, and wax- ed hard. Thus far the signs of a breeding woman, and one that beareth a mole are all one, I will shew you how they differ. The first sign of difference is taken from the motion of a mole, it may be felt to move in the womb before the third month, which the infant cannot: Yet the motion cannot be understood of any intelligent power in the mole, but the faculty of the womb and the seminal spirits, diffuse through the substance of the mole, for it lives not a live ani- mal, but a vegetative in manner of a plant. And se- condly, In a mole the belly is suddenly pushed up, but in a true conception the belly is first retracted, and then riseth up by degrees. Thirdly, The belly being pressed with the hand, the mole gives way; and the hand being taken away, it returns to the place again; but a child in the womb, though pressed with the hand, moves not presently, and being removed, returns slowly or not at all. Lastly, The children continue in the womb not above eleven months; but a mole continues sometimes four or five years, more or less, according as it is fastened in the matrix. I pave known when a mole hath fallen away in four or five months. 112 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, If it remain until the eleventh month the legs wax feeble, and the whole body consumes, only the swel- ling of the belly still increases; which makes some think they are dropsical, though there be little reason for it. For in the dropsy, legs swell and grow big, but in a mole they consume and wither. Prognostics.] If at the delivery of a mole the flux of the blood be great, it shews the more danger, be- cause the parts of nutrition having been violated by the flowing back of the superstitious humours, where the natural heat is consumed; and then parting with so much of her blood, the woman thereby is so weak- ened in all her faculties, that she cannot subsist with- out difficulty. Cure.] We are taught in the school of Hyppocra- tes, that phlebotomy caused abortion; by taking all that nourishment which should preserve the life of the child. Wherefore, that this vicious conception may be deprived of that vegetative sap by which it lives, open the liver-vein and the saphena in both the feet; fasten cupping-glasses to the loins and sides of the belly, which done let the uterine parts be first molli- fied, and then the expulsive faculty provoked to ex- pel the burthen. To lax at the ligature of the mole, take mallows, with the roots three handfuls; chamomile, melilot, pellitory of the wall, violet-leaves, mercury, roots of fennel, parsley, of each two handfuls; linseed, fenugreek, each one pound; boil them in water and let her sit therein up to the navel. At the going out of the bath, anoint the privates and reins with this unguent following: Take oil of chamomile, lilies, sweet almonds, each one ounce; fresh butter, labda- num, ammoniac, of each half an ounce; with the oil of linseed make an unguent. Or instead of this may be used unguentum, agrippa, or dialthea. Take of mercury, roots of althea, of each half a handful; flos, brachœ, ursini, half a handful; linseed, barley meal, of each six ounces; boil all these with water and honey; and make a plaster; make pessaries of the Part II. Completed. 113 the gum galbanum bdellium, actimoniacum, figs, hog's suet and honey. After the ligaments of the mole are loosed; let the expulsive faculty be stirred up to expel the mole; for effecting of which, all medicaments may be used which are proper to bring down the courses. Take troch de myrrha one ounce; castor astrolochia, gen- tian, dictam, of each half an ounce; make a powder, take one dram in four ounces of mugwort water. Take off hypericon, calamint, penny-royal, betony, hyssop, sage, horehound, valerian, madder, savin, with water make a decoction; take three ounces of it, with one ounce and an half of feverfew. Take of mugwort, myrrh, gentian, pil. coch, of each four scruples; rue, penny-royal, sagapenum, oppopanax, of each a dram; assafœtida, cinnamon, juniper berries, borage, of each one dram; with the juice of savine, make pills to be taken every morning; make an in- session of hyssop, bay-leaves, affrum, calamint, bay- berries, chamomile, mugwort, savin-cloves, nutmeg, of each two scruples; galbanum one dram; hieræpi- ca black hellebore oil, each one scruple; with tur- pentine make a pessary. But if these things prove not available, then must the mole be drawn away with an instrument put up into the womb, called a pes griphus, which may be done with no great dan- ger, if it be performed by a skillful chirurgeon; after the delivery of the mole, (by reason that the woman hath parted with much blood already) let the flux of blood be stayed as soon as may be. Fasten cupping-glasses to the shoulders, and liga- tures to the arm. If this help not, open the liver vein on the right arm. The air must be tolerably hot and dry, and dry diet, such as doth mollify and attenuate, she may drink white wine. CHAP. 114 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. XII. Of the Signs of Conception. IGnorance makes women become murtherers of the fruit of their own bodies, many having con- ceived, and thereupon finding themselves out of or- der, and not knowing rightly the cause, do either run to the shop, of their own conceit, and take what they think fit, or else (as the custom is) they send to the physician for a cure; and he not perceiving the cause of their grief (feeling that no certain judgment can be given by the urine) prescribes what he thinks best, perhaps some strong diuretic or cathartic potion, whereby the conception is destroyed. Wherefore Hippocrates says, There is a necessity that women would be instructed in the knowledge of conception, that the parent as well as the child might be saved from danger. I will therefore give you some instruc- tions, by which every one may know whether she be with child or not. The signs of conception shall be taken from the woman, from the urine, from the in- fant, and from experiment. Signs taken from the woman are these: The first day after the conception she feels a light quivering or chillness running through the whole body; a tickling in the womb, a little pain in the lower parts of the belly. Ten or twelve days after the head is affected with giddiness, the eyes with dimness of sight: Then follow red pimples in the face, with a blue circle about the eyes, the breasts swell and grow hard with some pain and pricking in them, the belly soon sinketh, and rise again by degrees, with a hardness about the navel. The nipples of the breast grow red, the heart beats inordinately, the natural appetite is dejected; yet she hath a longing desire after strange meats; the neck of the womb is retracted, that it can hardly be felt with the finger being put up: Part II. Completed. 115 up: And this is an infallible sign. She is suddenly merry, and as soon melancholy; the monthly courses are stayed without any evident cause; the excre- ments of the guts are unaccustomedly retained by the womb pressing the great guts, and her desire to Ve- nus is abated. The surest sign is taken from the infant, which be- gins to move in the womb the third or fourth month: And that not in the manner of a male, from one side to another, rushing like a stone, but so softly, as may be, perceived by applying the hand hot upon the belly. Signs taken from the urine: The best writers do affirm, that the urine of a woman with child is white, and hath little mites like those in the sun-beams, as- cending and descending in it, a cloud swimming aloft of an opal colour, the sediments being divided by shaking of the urine, appears like carded wool. In the middle of her time the urine turner yellow, next red, and lastly black, with a red cloud. Signs taken from experience. At night going to bed let her drink water and honey, afterwards it the feels a beating pain in her belly and about her navel, she hath conceived. Or let her take the juice of cards, and if she vomited it up, it is a sign of conception. Cast a clean needle into a woman's urine, put it in a basin, let it stand all night, and in the morning if it be coloured with red spots, she bath conceived, but if black or rusty, she hath not. Signs taken from the sex, to shew whether it be male or female. Being with child of a male, the right breast swells first, the right eye is more lively than the left, her face well coloured, because such as the blood is, such is the colour; and the male is con- ceived of purer blood, and more perfect seed than the female; red motes in the urine, settling down to the sediments, foretell that a male is conceived, but if they be white a female. Put the woman's urine which is with child into a glass bottle, let it stand closs stopped three days, then strain it through a fine cloth, 116 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, cloth, and you shall find little lying creatures. If they be red it is a male, if white it is a female. To conclude, the most certain sign to give credit unto, is the motion of the infant, for the male moves in the third month, and the female in the fourth. CHAP. XIII. Of Untimely Births. WHEN the fruit of the womb comes forth be- fore the Seventh month (that is, before it Comes of maturity) it is said to be abortive, and in effect the children prove abortive, (I mean not to live) if it be born in the eighth month. And why children born in the seventh or ninth month may live and not in the eighth month may seem strange, yet it is true: The cause thereof by some is ascribed unto the planet under which the child is born; for every month from the conception to the birth, is governed by his pro- per plant. And in the eighth month Saturn doth pre- dominate, which is cold and dry: And coldness be- ing an utter enemy to life, destroys the nature of the child. Hippocrates gives a better reason, viz. The infant being every way perfect and complete in the seventh month, desires more air and nutriment than it had before; which because he cannot obtain, he labours for a passage to go out; and if his spirits be- come weak and faint, and have no strength sufficient to break the membranes and come forth, as is de- creed by nature, that he should continue in the womb till the ninth month, that in that time his wearied spirits might again be strengthened and refreshed; but if he returns to strive again the eighth month, and be born, he cannot live, because the day of his birth is either past or to come. For in the eighth month (saith Aven) he is weak and infirm; and therefore then being cast into the cold air, his spirits cannot be sup- ported. Cure.] Part II. Completed. 117 Cure.] Untimely birth may be caused by cold, for as it makes the fruit of the tree to wither and to fall before it be ripe, so doth it nip the fruit of the, womb before it comes to full perfections, and makes it to be abortive: sometimes by humidity, weakening the faculty that the fruit cannot be re- strained till the due time. By dryness or emptiness, defrauding the child of its nourishment. By one of these alvine fluxes by phlebotomy and other evacua- tions: By inflammations of the womb and other sharp diseases. Sometimes it is caused by joy, laughter, anger, and especially fear; for in that the heat for- sakes the womb, and runs to the heart for help there, (and so the cold strikes in the matrix whereby the ligaments are relaxed, and so abortion follows:) Wherefore Plato in his time, commanded that the woman should shun all temptations of immoderate joy and pleasure, and likewise avoid all occasions of fear and grief. Abortion also may be caused by the corruption of the air, by filthy odours, and especially by the smell of a snuff of a candle; also by falls, blows, violent exercise, leaping, dancing, &c. Signs.] Signs of future abortion are extenuation of the breasts, with a flux of watery milk, pain in the womb, heaviness in the head, unusual weariness in the hips and thighs, flowing of the courses, signs foretelling the fruit to be dead in the womb, are hol- lowness in the eyes, pain in the head, anguish, hor- rors, paleness of the face and lips, gnawing of the stomach, no motion of the infant, coldness and loose- ness of the mouth of the womb, and thickness of the belly, which was above is fallen down, watery and bloody excrements come from the matrix. CHAP. 118 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, CHAP. XIV. Directions for Breeding Women. THE prevention of untimely births consists in taking away the afore-mentioned causes; which must be effected before and after the concep- tion. Before conception, if the body be over hot, cold, dry, or moist, correct it with the contraries; if ca- cochmical, purge it; if plethorical open the liver- vein; if too gross, extenuate it; if too lean, corro- borate and nourish it. All diseases of the womb must be removed, as I have shewed. After conception let the air be temperate, sleep not overmuch, avoid watching, exercise of body, passions of the mind, loud clamors and filthy smells; sweet odours also are to be rejected of those that are hysterical. Abstain from all things which provoke either the urine or courses, also from salt, sharp and windy meats; a moderate diet should be observed. If the excrement of the guts be retained, lenify the belly with glisters made of the decoctions of mallows, violets, with sugar and common oil, or make broth with borage, bugloss, beets, mallows, taking in the same a little manna. On the contrary, if she be troubled with the looseness of the belly, let it not be stayed without the judgment of a physi- cian: For all the uterine fluxes have a malign quali- ty to them, which will be evacuated before the flux be stayed. The couch is another accident which accom- panied breeding women, and puts them in great danger of miscarrying, by a continual distillation falling from the brain. To prevent which, shave away the hair on the coronal and satical coissures, and apply thereon this plaster. Take resinæ half an ounce; laudani one dram; citron-peel, lign, aloes, Part II. Completed. 119 aloes, olibani of each a dram; strachis liquidæ and siccæ a sufficient quantity; dissolve the gums in vi- negar, and make a plaster at night going to bed, let her take the fume of these trochisks cast upon the coals. Take of frankincense, styrax, powder, red roses, of each a dram and an half; sandarach eight drams; mastic, benjamin, amber, of each one dram; with turpentine make trochisks, apply a cautery to the nape of the neck, and every night let her take those pills following: Take hypocisti- dies, teriæ sigillatæ, fine bole, of each half an ounce; bistort, alcatia, styracis, calamint of each two drams; cloves one dram; with syrup of myrtles, make pills. In breeding women there is a corrupted matter generated, which flowing to the ventricle, dejec- ted the appetite, and caused vomiting. And the stomach being weak, not able to digest this matter sometimes sends it to the guts, whereby is caused a flux in the belly, which greatly stirred up the faculty of the womb. To prevent all the dangers, the stomach must be corroborated as follows: Take lign, aloes, and nutmeg, of each one dram; mace, clove, mastic, laudanum, of each two scruples; oil of spike an ounce; mask two grains; oil of mastic, quinces, worm-wood, of each half an ounce; make an unguent for the stomach to be ap- plied before meals. But instead thereof may be used cerocum, stomachile, galeni. Take of con- serve of borage, bugloss, anthos, each half an ounce; confect de hyaccinth, lemon peels candied, specicrum, diamarg, pully de gemmis, of each two drams; nutmeg, diambra, of each two scruples; piony roots, diacorati, of each two drams; with syrup of roses, make an electuary, of which she must take twice a day, two hours before meals. Another accident which perplexeth a woman with child is swelling of the legs, which happens the first three months by superfluous humours falling down from the stomach and liver; for the cure whereof, take 120 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, take oil of roses two drams; salt, vinegar, of each one dram; shake them together until the salt be dissolved, and anoint the legs hot therewith, chaf- fing it in with the hand: By pursuing it more pro- perly, if it may be done without danger, as it may be in the fourth, fifth, or sixth month of purga- tion: For the child, in the womb is compared to an apple on a tree; The first three months it is weak and tender, subject with the apple to fall away; but afterwards the membranes being strengthened, the fruit remains firmly fastened to the womb, not apt to mischances, and so continues all the seventh month; till growing near the time of its maturity, the ligaments are again relaxed (like the apple that is almost ripe) and grows looser every day, until the fixed time of delivery. If therefore the body is in real need of purging, she may do it without danger in the fourth, fifth, or sixth month; but not before nor after, unless in some sharp diseases, in which the mother and child both are like to perish. Apply plasters and unguents to the reins, to strength- en the fruit of the womb. Take off gum arabic, galangale, bistort, hypocistid and storax, of each one dram; fine bole, nutmeg, mastic, ballust, san- guis draconis, myrtle berries, a dram and a half: Wax and turpentine a sufficient quantity, make a plaster. Apply it to the reins in the winter-time, and re- move it every twenty-four hours, lest the reins be over-hot therewith. In the interim anoint the pri- vities and reins with unguent, confitissæ; but if it be summer time and the reins hot, this plaster fol- lowing is more proper: Take of red roses one pound; mastic, red sanders, of each two drams; pol, armoni, red coral, bistort, each two drams; pomegranate peel, prepared coriander, of each two drams and an half; barberries, two scruples; oil of mastic and quinces, of each one ounce; juice of plantain two drams; with pitch make a plaster; anoint the reins also with unguentum, sandal. Once Part II. Completed. 121 Once every week wash the reins with two parts of rose water, and one part of white wipe mingled to- gether, and warmed at the fire. This will assuage the heat of the reins, and disperse the oil of the plaster out of the pores of the skin and cause the ointment or plaster, the sooner to penetrate and strengthen the womb: Some are of opinion, that as long as the load-stone is laid to the navel, it keeps the woman from abortion. The like is also recorded of the stone ætites being hanged about the neck, the same virtue hath the stone famous. CHAP. XV. Directions to be observed by Women at the time of their falling in Labour, in order to their safe Delivery, with Directions for Midwives. AND thus having given necessary directions for child-bearing women, how to govern them- selves during the time of their pregnancy, I shall add what is necessary for them to observe in order to their delivery. The time of birth drawing near, be sure let the woman send for a skillful midwife, and that rather too soon than too late; and against which time, let her prepare a pallet, bed, or couch, and place it near the fire, that the midwife and her as- sistants may pass round, and help on every side as oc- casion requires, having a change of linen ready, and a small stool to rest her feet against, she having more force when they are bowed, than when they are o- therwise. Having thus provided, when the woman feels her pain come, and weather not cold, let her walk about the room, resting herself by turns upon the bed, and so expect the coming down of her water, which is an humour contracted in one of the out- ward membranes, and flows thence when it is broke F by 122 Aristotle’s Master-Piece, by the struggling of the child, there being no direct time fixed for the efflux, though generality it flows not above two hours before the birth, motion will likewise cause the womb to open and dilate itself, when lying long in bed will be uneasy, yet if she be very weak, she may take some gentle cordial to re- fresh herself, if her pain will permit. If her travail be tedious, she may revive her spirits with taking chicken or mutton broth, or she may take a poached fig, but must take heed of eating to ex- cess. As for the postures women are delivered in, they are many, some lying in their beds, some sitting in a chair supported and held by others, or resting upon the bed, or chair: Some again upon their knees, being supported upon their arms: But the most safe and commodious way is in the bed, and then the midwife ought to mind the following rules. Let her lay the woman upon her back, her head a little raised by the help of a pillow, having the like help to support her reins and buttocks, and that her rump may lay high; for if she lies low, she cannot be well delivered. Then let her keep her knees and thighs as far distant as she can, her legs bowed together and her buttocks, the soles of her feet and heels being fixed upon a little log of timber placed for that purpose, that she may strain the stronger: And in case her back be very weak, a swathing band must be cast under it, the band being four times double, and about two inches broad; and this must be held by two persons, who with steady hand and equal motion, must raise her up at the time her pains happen, but if they be not exact in their motion it is better let alone. And at the same time let two women hold her shoulders, that she may then strain out the birth with more advantage: And then to facilitate it, let a wo- man stroke or press the upper part of her belly gently, and by degrees. Nor must the woman herself be faint hearted, but of good courage forcing Part II. Completed. 123 forcing herself, by straining and holding her breath. In case of delivery, the midwife must wait with pa- tience till the child’s head or other members, burst the membrane; for if through ignorance, or haste to go to other women as some have done, the midwife tear the membrane with her nails, she endangers both the woman and the child; For its lying dry, and wanting that slipperiness that should make it easy, it comes forth with great pain. When the head appears, the midwife must gen- tly hold it between her hands, and draw the child at such times as the woman’s pains are upon her, and at no other; slipping by degrees her fore-fingers un- der its arm-pits, not using a rough hand in drawing it forth, lest by that means the tender infant receive any deformity of body. As soon as the child is tak- en forth, which is for the most part with its face downwards, let it be laid on its back, that it may more freely receive external respiration; then cut the navel-string about three inches from the body, tying that end which adheres to the belly with a silken string as near as you can, then cover the head and stomach of the child well, suffering nothing to come upon the face. The child being thus brought forth, and it healthy, lay it by, and let the midwife regard the patient in drawing forth the fecundines; and this she may do by wagging and stirring them up and down, and afterwards with a gentle hand drawing them forth: And if the work be difficult let the woman hold salt in her hands, shut them close and breath hard into them, and, thereby she will know whether the membranes be broke or not. It may be also known by causing her to strain or vomit, by putting a finger down her throat, or by straining or moving her lower parts, but let all be done out of hand. If this fail, let her take a draught of raw elder-water, or yolk of a new laid egg, and smell to a piece of assafœtida, especially if she be F2 troubled 124 Aristotle's Master-Piece, troubled with the wind-cholick. If she happen to take cold, it is a great obstruction to the coming down of the fecundines; and in such cases the mid- wife ought to chaff the woman’s belly gently to break not only the wind, but oblige the fecundines to come down. But these proving ineffectual, the midwife must chatter with her hand the extern or orifice of the womb, and gently draw it forth. Having now discoursed of common births, or such as for the most part are easy. I shall now give di- rections in cases of extremity. CHAP. XVI. In Cafe of Extremity, what ought to he observed; especially to Women who in their Travail, are attended with a Flux of Blood, Convulsions, and Fits of the Wind. IF the woman’s labour be hard and difficult, great- er regard must be had then, than at other times; and first of all the situation of the womb and pos- ture of lying must be cross the bed, being held by strong persons, to prevent her slipping down, or moving herself in the operation of the chirurgeon: Her thighs must be put asunder, as far distant as may be, and so held; whilst her head must lean up- on a bolster, and the reins of her back be supported after the same manner; her rump and buttocks being lifted up, observing to cover her stomach, belly and thighs with warm linen, to keep them from the cold. The woman being in this posture, let the ope- rator put up his hand, if he find the neck of the womb dilated, and remove the contracted blood that obstructs the passage of the birth; and having by degrees gently made way, let him tenderly move the infant, his hand being first anointed with sweet butter, or a harmless pomatum. And if the waters Part II. Completed. 125 waters be not come down, then without difficulty may they be let forth; when if the infant should attempt to break out with its head foremost, or cross, he may gently turn it to find the feet; which having done, let him draw forth the one and fasten it to a ribbon, then put it up again, and by degrees find the other, bringing them as clogs and even as may be, and be- tween whiles, let the woman breathe, urging her to strain in helping nature to perfect the birth, that he may draw it forth; and the readier to do it, that his hold may be the furor, he must wrap a linen cloth about the-child’s thighs, observing to bring it into the world, with its face downwards. In case of a flux of blood, if the neck of the womb be open, it must be considered whether the infant or fecundine comes first, which the latter sometimes happening to do, stops the mouth of the womb, and hinders the birth; endangering both the woman and child; but in this case the secun- dines must be removed by a swift turn; and indeed they have by their so coming down deceived many, who feeling their softness, supposed the womb was not dilated, and by this means the woman and child, or at least the latter has been lost. The secundines moved, the child must be sought for, and drawn forth, as has been directed: And if in such a case the woman or child die, the midwife or surgeon is blameless, because they did their true en- deavour. If it appears upon enquiry, that the secun- dines come first, let the woman be delivered with all convenient expedition, because a great flux or blood will follow; for the veins are opened, and upon this account two things are to be consider- ed. First, The manner of the secundines advancing, whether it be much or little; if the former, and the head of the child appear first, it may be guid- ed and directed towards the neck of the womb as in the case of natural birth; but if there appear F3 any 126 Aristotle's Master-Piece, any difficulty in the delivery, the best way is to search for the feet, and thereby draw it forth: But if the latter the secundine may be put back with a gentle hand, and the child first taken forth. But if the secundine be far advanced, so that it cannot be put back, and the child follow it close, then are the secundines to be taken forth with much care, as swift as may be, and laid easy without cut- ting the entrail that is fastened to them; for thereby you may be guided to the infant, which, whether alive or dead, must be drawn forth by the feet in all baste; though it is not to be acted unless in case of any great necessity, for in other cases the secundines ought to come last. And in drawing forth a dead child, let these di- rections be carefully observed by the surgeon, viz. If the child he found dead, its head foremost, the de- livery will be more difficult: For it is an apparent sign the woman’s strength begins to fail her, and that the child being dead, and wanting its natural force can be no ways assisting to its delivery, wherefore the most certain and safe way for the surgeon, is to put up his left hand, sliding it as hollow in the palm as he can, into the neck of the womb, and into the lower part thereof towards the feet, and then be- tween the head of the infant, and the neck of the matrix, when having a hook in the right hand couch it close, and slip it up above the left hand, between the head of the child and the flat of his hand, fix- ing it in the bars of the temple towards the eye; for want of a convenient coming at these in the occipu- tal-bone, observe still to keep the left hand in its place, and with it gently moving and stirring the head; and so with the right hand and hook draw the child forward, admonishing the woman to put forth her utmost strength, still drawing when the wo- man’s pangs are upon her; the head being drawn out, with all speed he must slip his hand up under the arm holes of the child, and take it quite out; giving these things to the woman, viz. A toast of fine Part II. Completed. 127 fine wheaten bread in a quarter of a pint of ipocras wine. Now the former application failing, when a wo- man is in her bed, let her receive the follow- ing potion hot, and rest till she feels the opera- tion. Take seven blue figs, cut them to pieces, add to them fenugreek, motherwort and seed of rue, of each five drams; water of penny-royal, and motherwort, of each six ounces; boil them till one half be con- sumed, and having strained them again, add tro- chisks of myrrh one dram; and saffron three grains; sweeten the liquor with loaf sugar, and spice it with cinnamon. Having rested upon this, let her labour again as much as may be, and if she be not successful, make a fumigation of castor, opopanax, sulphur, and assa- fœtida, of each half a dram; beating them into pow- der, and wetting them with the juice of rue, until they become stiff; then burn them on coals, so that the smoke or fume may only come to the matrix and no further. If these effect not your desire, then this plaster is now to be applied, viz. Take of galbanum an ounce an d half; colocynthis without grains two drams; the juice of motherwort and rue, of each half an ounce; add seven ounces of virgin’s bees-wax, bruise and melt them together., spreading them on a sear cloth, to reach from the navel to the os pubis, spread- ing also to the flanks, at the same time making a convenient pessary of wood, closing it in a bag of silk, and dipping it in a decoction of round birthwort, savin, colocynthis with grains; stave-scarce, black hellebore, of each one dram, &c. A little sprig or two of rue. But those things not having the desired success, and the woman’s danger still increasing, let the sur- geon use his instruments to dilate. and widen the womb; to which end the woman must be set in a chair, so that she may turn her crupper as much F4 from 128 Aristotle's Master-Piece, from its back as is convenient, drawing likewise her legs up as close as she can, spreading her thighs as wide as may be; or if she be very weak, it may be more convenient that she be laid on the bed with her head downwards, and her buttocks raised, and both legs drawn up as much as may be; at that time the surgeon with his speculum matrices, or his sperto- ry may dilate the womb, and draw out the child and secundines together, if it be possible; the which being done, the womb must be well washed and a- nointed, and the woman laid in her bed, and so com- forted with spices and cordials. This course must be taken in the delivery of all dead children. Like- wise with moles, secundines, and false births, that will not of themselves come forth in season: Or if the instruments aforesaid will not sufficiently widen the womb, then other instruments, as the drake's bill, and long pinchers ought to be us- ed. If it do happen that any inflammation, dwelling, or congealed blood be contracted in the matrix, under the film of those tumours, either before or after the birth, where the matter appears thinner, then let the midwife with a pen-knife or incision instrument launch it, and press out the corrup- tion, healing it with a pessary dipped in oil of red- roses. If at any time through cold, or some violence, the child happens to be swelled in any part, or hath contracted a watery humour; if it remain alive, such means must be used as are lead injuri- ous to the child or mother: But if it be dead, that humour must be let out by incision to facilitate the birth. If (as it often happens) that the child comes with its feet foremost, and the hands dilating themselves from the hips: In such cases the mid- wise must be provided with necessary ointments to stroke and anoint the infant with, to help its com- ing forth, left it turn again into the womb, hold- ing Part II. Completed. 129 ing at the same time, both the arms of infant close to the hips, that so it may issue forth after its manner, but if it proves too big, the womb must be well anointed. The woman may also take sneezing powder to make her strain: Those who attend may gently stroke her belly, to make the birth descend, and keep the birth from retiring back. And sometimes it falls out that the child coming with the feet foremost, has its arms extended a- bove its head; but the midwife must not receive it so, but put it back into the womb unless the pas- sage be extraordinary wide, and then she must a- noint both the child and the womb; nor is it safe to draw it forth, which must be done after this manner; The woman must be laid on her back, with her head depressed, and her buttocks raised; and then the midwife, with a gentle hand, must compress the belly of the woman towards the mid- wife, by that means to put back the infant, observ- ing to turn the face of the child towards the back of its mother, raising up its thighs and buttocks toward her navel, that so the birth may be more na- tural. If a child happens to come forth with one foot, the arm being extended along the side, and the other foot turned backward, then must the woman be in- stantly brought to her bed, and laid in the posture above described, at which time the midwife must care- fully put back the foot so appearing, and the woman rocking herself from one side to the other, till she find the child is turned, but must not alter her posture, nor turn upon her face. After which she may expect her pains, and must have great assist- ance and cordials to revive and to support her spi- rits. At other times it happens that the child lies across in the womb, and falls upon its side; in this case the woman must not be urged in her labour, neither can any expect the birth in such a manner; F5 there- 130 Aristotle's Master-Piece, therefore the midwife when she finds it so, must use great diligence to reduce it to its right form, or at least to such a form in the womb, as may make the delivery possible and most easy, by moving the but- tocks, and guiding the head to the passage; and if she be successful herein, let her again try by rocking herself to and fro, and wait with patience till it alters its manner of lying. Sometimes the child hastens the birth, by expand- ing its legs and arms: In which, as in the former, the woman must rock herself, but not with violence, till she finds those parts fall to their proper stations; or it may be done by a gentle compression of the womb; but if neither of them prevail, the midwife with her band must close the legs of the infant, and if she come at them, do the like to the arms, and so draw it forth; but if it can be reduced of itself, to the posture of a natural birth, it is bet- ter. If the infant comes forward with both knees fore- most, and the hands hanging down upon the thighs, then must the midwife put both knees upward, till the feet appear: Taking hold of which with her left hand, let her keep her right hand on the side of the child, and in that posture endeavour to bring it forth. But if she cannot do this, then also must the wo- man rock herself, till the child is in a more conveni- ent posture for delivery. Sometimes it happens, that the child passes for- ward with one arm stretched on its thighs, and the o- ther raised over its head, and the feet stretched out at length in the womb; in such a case the midwife must not attempt to receive the child in that posture, but must lay the woman on the bed, in the manner aforesaid, making a soft and gentle compression on her belly, to oblige the child to retire, which if it does not, then must the midwife thrust it back by the shoulder, and bring the arm that was stretched above the head, to its right station; for there Part II. Completed. 131 there is more danger in these extremities; and therefore the midwife must anoint her hands first, and the womb of the woman with sweet butter, or a proper pomatum, thrusting her hand as near as she can, to the arm of the infant, and bring it, to the side. But if this cannot be done, let the woman be laid on her bed to rest a while, in which time, perhaps the child may be reduced to a better pos- ture, which the midwife finding, she must draw tenderly the arms close to the hips, and so receive it. If an infant come with its buttocks foremost, and almost double: then the midwife, anointing her hand, must thrust it up, and gently heaving up the buttocks and back, drive to turn the head to the passage, but not too hastily, left the infants re- tiring should shape it worse; and therefore if it cannot be turned with the hand, the woman must rock herself on the bed, taking some comfortable things as may support her spirits, till she perceives the child to turn. If the child’s neck be bowed, and it comes for- ward with its shoulders, as sometimes it doth, with the hands and feet stretched upwards, the midwife must gently move the shoulders, that she may direct the head to the passage; and the better to effect it, the woman must rock herself as afore- said. These, and other the like methods are to be ob- served, in case a woman hath twins, or three chil- dren at a birth, as sometimes happens. For as the single birth hath but one natural way, and many un- natural forms, even so it may be in double or treble births. Wherefore in all such cases, the midwife must take care to receive that first which is nearest the passage; but not letting the other go, lest by retiring it should change the form. And when, one is born, she must be speedy in bringing forth the other; and this birth if 132 Aristotle's Master-Piece, if it be in the natural way, is more easy, because the children are commonly less than those of single birth, and so require a lesser passage. But if this birth, come unnaturally it is far more dangerous than the other. In the birth of twins, let the midwife be very care- ful that the secundines be naturally brought forth, left the womb being delivered of its burden fall, and so the secundines continue there longer than is con- sistent with the woman’s safety. But if one of the twins happen to come with the head, the other with the feet foremost, then let the midwife deliver the natural birth first, and if she can- not turn the other, draw it out in the posture it presses forward, but if that with its feet downward be foremost, she may deliver that first turning the other side. But in this case, the midwife must carefully see that it be not a monstrous birth, instead of twins as a body with two heads, or two bodies joined toge- ther, which she may soon see; if both the heads come foremost, by putting up her hand between them as high as she can, and then if she find they are twins, she may gently put one of them aside to make way for the other, taking the first which is most advan- ced, having the other, that she do not change its si- tuation. And for the safety of the first child, as soon as it comes forth out of the womb, the midwife must tye the navel-string as hath before been directed, and also bind it with a large and long fillet, that part of the navel that is fastened to the secundines the more ready to find them. The second infant being born, let the midwife care- fully examine whether there be not two secundines, for sometimes it falls out, that by the shortness of the ligaments, it retires back to the prejudice of the wo- man. Wherefore lest the womb should close, it is most expedient to hasten them forth-with all conve- nient speed. If Part II. Completed. 133 If two infants are joined together by the body as sometimes it monstrously falls out, then though the heads should come foremost, yet it is convenient, if possible, to turn them, and draw them forth by the feet, observing that when they come to the hips, to draw them out as soon as may be. And here great care ought to be used in anointing and widening the passage. But these fort of births rarely happening, I shall need to say the less of them, and therefore shall next shew how women should be ordered after delivery. CHAP. XVII. How Child-bearing Women ought to be ordered af- ter delivery. IF a woman has had very hard labour, it is neces- sary she should be wrap up in a sheep's skin taken off before it is cold, applying the fleshy side to her reins and belly. Or, for want of this, the skin of a hare or coney, flead off as soon as killed, may be applied to the same parts; and in so doing the dila- tion made in the birth, and the melancholy blood ex- pelled from these parts, continuing these for an hour or two. Let the woman afterwards be swathed with fine linen cloth, about a quarter of a yard in breadth, chasing her belly before it is swathed, with oil of St. John's wort: After that raise up the matrix with a linen cloth many times folded, then with a little pil- low, or quilt, cover her flanks, and place the swathe somewhat above the haunches, winding it pretty stiff, applying at the same time a warm cloth to her nipples, and not presently applying the remedies to keep back the milk, by reason the body at such a time, is out of frame; for there is neither vein nor artery which does not strongly beat, and remedies to drive back the milk, being of a dissolving nature, it is improper to apply them to the breasts, during such 134 Aristotle's Master-Piece, such disorder, lest by so doing, evil humours be con- tracted in the breast. Wherefore twelve hours at least ought to be allowed for the circulation and set- tlement of the blood, and what was cast upon the lungs, by the vehement agitation during the labour, to retire to its proper receptacles. Some time after delivery, you may make a re- strictive of the yolks of two eggs, and a quarter of a pint of white wine, oil of St. John’s wort, oil of ros- es, plantain, and rose-water, of each an ounce; mix them together, fold a linen cloth, and apply it to the breast, and the pains of those parts will be greatly eased. She must by no means deep presently after delive- ry, but about four hours after, she may take broth, candle, or such liquid- victuals as are nourishing; and if she be disposed to sleep, it may be very safely permitted. And this is as much (in case of a natural birth) as ought immediately to be done. But in case of any extremity, or an unnatural birth, the following rules ought to be observed. In the first place, Let the woman keep a tempe- rate diet, by no means overcharging herself after such an extraordinary evacuation, not being ruled by giv- ing credit to unskillful nurses, who admonish them to feed heartily, the better to repair the loss of blood. For that blood is not for the most part pure, but such as has been detained in the vessels or membrane, better avoided for the health of the woman than kept, unless there happen an extraordinary flux of the blood. For if her nourishment be too much, it may make her liable to a fever, and increase the milk too much; which cruding, very often turns to post- humes. Wherefore it is requisite, for the first five days e- specially, that she take moderately, pandot broth, poached eggs, jelly of chickens, or calf's feet, or fresh barley-broth, every day somewhat increasing the quantity. And if she intend to be a nurse to her child she may Part II. Completed. 135 may take something more than ordinary, to increase the milk by degrees, which must be of no continu- ance, but drawn off either by the child or otherwise. In this case likewise observe, to let her have corian- der or fennel-seeds, boiled in her barley-broth, but by all means for the time specified, let her abstain from meat. If no fever trouble her, she may drink now and then a small quantity of pure white wine, or claret, as also syrup of maiden-hair, or any other sy- rup that is of an astringent quality, taken in a little water well boiled. And after the fear of a fever, or contraction of hu- mour in the breast is over, she may be nourished more plentifully with the broth of pullets, capons, pige- ons, mutton, veal, &c. which must not be till after days from the time of her delivery, at which time the womb, unless some accident hinder, has purged itself. It will be then likewise expedient to give cold meats, but let it be sparing, that so she may the better gather strength. And let her during the time, rest quietly and free from disturbance, not sleeping in the day time if she can avoid it. Take of both the mallows and pelitory of the wall, an handful; chamomile and melilot flowers of each a handful; anniseeds, and fennel-seeds, of each two ounces; boil them in the decoction of a sheep’s head, and take of this three quarters, dissolving in them common honey, coarse sugar, and new fresh butter two ounces, strain it well, and administer it glyster- wise, but if it does not operate well, take an ounce of catholicon. CHAP. 136 Aristotle's Master-Piece, CHAP. XVIII. How to expel the cholic from women in child- birth. THESE pains frequently afflict the woman no less than in pains of her labour, and are by the ignorant taken many times the one for the other, and sometimes they happen both at the same instant, which is occasioned by a raw, crude, and watery matter in the stomach, contracted through ill digestion, and while such pain continues, the woman’s travail is re- tarded. Therefore to expel fits of the cholic, Take two ounces of oil of sweet almonds, and an ounce of cin- namon-water, with three or four drops of spirit of ginger, then let the woman drink it off. If this does not abate the pain, make a glyster of chamomile, balm-leaves, oil or olives, and new milk, boiling the former in the latter. Administer it as is usual in such cases. And then fomentations proper for dispelling of wind, will not be amiss. If the pain prove the gripping of the guts, and long after delivery. Then take the root of great com- frey, one dram; nutmeg and peach kernels, of each two scruples. Yellow amber, eight drams; amber- grease a scruple; bruise them together, and give them to the woman as she is laid down, in two or three spoonful of white wine; but if she be feverish, then let it be in as much warm broth. THE (137) THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN: Being choice and approved Remedies for seve- ral Distempers incident to Human Bodies. For Apoplexy. TAKE man’s skull prepared, powder of the roots of male-peony, of each an ounce and a half; contrayerva, bastard dittany, angelica, zedoary; of each two drams, mix and make a powder; add thereto two ounces of candied orange and lemon- peel, beat all together to a powder, whereof you may take half a dram, or a dram. A Powder for the Epilepsy, or Falling-sickness. Take of opopanax, crude-antimony, dragon’s- blood, castor, peony-seeds, of each an equal quanti- ty; make a subtle powder, the dose from half a dram in black cherry water. Before you take it, the sto- mach must be cleansed with some proper vomit, as that of Mynsicht’s emetic tartar, from four grains to fix; if for children, salt of vitriol, from a scruple to half a dram. For an Head ach of a long standing. Take the juice of powder, or distilled water of hog lice, and continue the use of it. For 138 The Family Physician. For Spitting of Blood. Take conserve of comfrey, and of hipps, of each an ounce and a half; conserve of red roses, three ounces; dragon’s blood a dram; species of hyacinths two scruples; red coral a dram; mix, and with sy- rup of red poppies make a soft electuary, take the quantity of a walnut night and morning. For a Looseness. Take of Venice-treacle and diascordium, of each half a dram in warm ale, water-gruel, or what you best like, last at night going to bed. For the Bloody-flux First take a dram of powder of rhubarb in a suffici- ent quantity of conserve of red roses, in the morning early; then at night take of torrifyed or roasted rhu- barb half a dram; diascordium a dram and a half; liquid laudanum cydoniated, a scruple; mix, and make a bolus. For an Inflammation of the Lungs Take charious-water ten ounces, water of red- poppies three ounces; syrup of poppies an ounce; pear prepared a dram; make a julep, and take six spoonfuls every fourth hour. An Ointment for the Pleurisy. Take oil of violets, or sweet almonds, of each an ounce; with wax and a little saffron, make an oint- ment, warm it, and bath it upon the part affected. An Ointment for the Itch. Take sulphur vive in powder, half an ounce; oil of tartar per deliquium, a sufficient quantity; oint- ment of roses, four ounces; make a lineament, to which add a scruple of rhodium to aromatize, and rub the parts affected with it. For a running Scab. Take two pound of tar, incorporate it into a thick mass, with good sifted ashes; boil the mass in The Family Physician. 139 in fountain water, adding leaves of ground ivy, white horehound, fumitory, roots of sharp pointed dock, and of flecan-pan, of each four handfuls; make a bath to be used with care of taking cold. For Worms in Children. Take worm-seed half a dram; flour of sulphur a dram; salt-prunele, half a dram; mix and make a powder. Give as much as will ly on a silver three- pence, night and morning in grocers treacle or ho- ney, or for people grown up, you may add a suffi- cient quantity of aloes, roast, and so make them up into pills, three or four thereof may be taken every morning. For Fevers in Children. Take crab's eyes, a dram, cream of tartar, half a dram; white sugar-candy finely powdered, the weight of both; mix all well together, and give as much as will lay upon a silver three-pence in a spoonful of barley-water, or sack whey. A quieting Night draught when the Cough is violent. Take Water of green wheat six ounces; syrup of diascordium three ounces; mix, take two or three spoonfuls going to bed every night, or every other night. For a Tympani Dropsy. Take roots of chervil, and candied erigon roots, of each an ounce: Roots of butchers-broom two ounces; grass-roots three ounces; (having of ivory and harts-horn, of each two drams and a half; bur- dock-seeds three drams; boil them in three pounds of spring water to two. While the strained liquor is hot, pour it upon the leaves of water-cresses and goose-grass bruised, of each a handful; adding a pint of rhenish wine: make a close infusion for two hours, then strain out the liquor again, and add to it three ounces of magistral water of earth-worms, and an ounce and a half of the syrup of the five opening 140 The Family Physician. opening roots, make an apozem, whereof take four ounces twice a day. For an inward bleeding. Take leaves of plantain, and stinging nettles, of each three handfuls; bruise them very well, and pour on them six ounces of plantain water, afterwards make a strong expression, and drink the whole off. Probatum est. FINIS. A Charity, wounded by the pagan and popish enemies to the church of Christ; and persecutors of all denominations driven into hell, which extends its horrid jaws to receive them, while devils urge their fate, and fiends hover over them. A striking view of the burning of the city of Rome, by order of the em- peror Nero, who, during the fire, played on his harp, and afterwards laid the blame on the Christians, which caused the first general persecution. A melancholy representation of the horrid death of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, who was torn to pieces by wild beasts. An excellent piece, expressive of the barbarous and cruel martyrdom of Saturninus, bishop of Toulouse, who was fastened to the tail of a bull, and dragged down the steps of a Temple, by which his brains were dashed out. An awful display of fourscore ministers, who were burnt together in a ship, by order of the emperor Valence. Calipodius, a Christian minister, inhumanly thrown into the river Tiber, with a mill-stone fastened to his neck. A picturesque view of the death of Caffian, a christian School-master of Imola, who was murdered by his own scholars for refusing to sacrifice to idols. A striking representation of the martyrdom of Flora and Mary, two chris- tian ladies, who were beheaded by the Saracens at Cordula, in Spain. An admirable display of the assassination of the prince of Orange, that great champion in the protestant cause. The execrable method of putting to death Marcus, bishop of Arethusa, who was first rubbed with honey, then hung up in a basket, and stung time hanged, for haying eat a goose upon a Friday in Scotland. A picturesque view of baron Scanaw, on the rack, who after having cut out his own tongue to prevent the possibility of his speaking, was tor- tured to death. A curious representation of the death of Domenico Berto, who was led to the place of execution on an ass, with his face to the tail, where his body was scarified with red hot pincers, holes bored in his cheeks, and his nose and ears cut off. An affecting display of the martyrdæm of Julietta, a Lyconian, who was tortured to death, during which dreadful operation her conflict was augmented, by being compelled to see the brains of her child dashed out before her face. A masterly piece, representing the execution of the Lollards, (as protes- tants in England were called in the reign of Henry IV.) who were hung on gibbets, and burnt by fires kindled under them, in St. Giles's in the Fields, London. A lively representation of the murder of several protestants, who, in en- deavouring to escape from a barn, where they were assembled at their devotions, were shot by the soldiers belonging to the duke of Guise. Hermanigildus, prince of the Goths, hewn to pieces by order of his father, for refusing to change his religion. A striking and explanatory representation of the diabolical tortures used in the inquisition, particularly racking, with the head downwards, torment- ing in the trough, into which the victim is the joints are all dislocated - Burning the soles of the feet, &c. &c. An affecting display of the martyrdom of four Dutch clergymen, who were first strangled, and then burnt at the Hague. The singular death of a bookseller, who was committed to the flames at Avignon, with bibles, which he had sold in the French tongue, tied round his neck. The cruel and detestable murder of the unfortunate Calas, who was broke on the wheel by order of the parliament of Toulouse. The martyrdom of the bishops Ridley and Latimer, who were burnt toge- ther at Oxford; and of archbishop Cranmer, who was soon after exe- cuted in the same manner, and at the same place. A Very curious representation of Lollards Tower, with the manner in which the protestants were there closely confined and tortured. A striking view of the martyrdom of thirteen protestants, including two women, who were burnt at Stratford, near London. The burning of archdeacon Philpot in Smithfield, with his remarkable behaviour at the place of execution. A striking representation of the bloody Irish massacre in 1641, when 40,000 protestants fell victims to the malice of Roman catholic miscreants. To prevent Mistakes, pray be careful to ask for Dr. SOUTHWELL'S NEW BOOK OF MARTYRS.