The Female Physician / Containing all the diseases incident to that sex, in virgins, wives, and widows; together with their causes and symptoms, their degrees of danger, and respective methods of prevention and cure: to which is added, the whole art of new improv'd midwifery; comprehending the necessary qualifications of a midwife, and particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births; together with the diet and regimen of both the mother and child.

Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
By John Maubray , M. D.
—— —— Opiferq; per Orbem
Dicor ,—— Ovid. Met.
LONDON :
Printed for James Holland , at the Bible and
Ball , in St. Paul’s-Church-Yard . 1724.
Most Excellent Societies ,
I Have generally observ’d, that Men address their Works to improper Hands; some aim at Personages too great, to regard them; others stoop to Men too unlearned, to defend them: Some again make their Court and apply to Persons in Vogue or in Place, and others cringe and creep after Purse-proud Patrons : But as I pursue not the common Designs of Dedicators , so I have studied no subterfuges of Flattery , nor Flourishes of Panegyrick in this Dedication. I know, that, whatever my Performance may prove, a substantial Work will stand securely upon its own Bottom, and make its way into the World, without any secondary Helps ; whereas a slight Defective Piece will fall and be quash’d, tho’ it should even strut with Majesty itself in its glaring Front .
Had I then presum’d upon any particular Voucher for the Female Physician , it would have look’d like acknowledging Guilt and seeking for Defence ; Because You , and none else, are the competent Judges in Affairs of this Nature: God having entrusted you only with the Lives of Men; and you (under Him ) being the Sole Preservers of Life and the great Distributers of Health , I have thought it my Duty to make this solemn Application to your August Societies in general; and in this manner to render you some small Account of the TALENT , which some of your selves have entrusted me with for Improvement .
In fine, your famous Fraternities being universally celebrated for encouraging of Learning and promoting Ingenuity , You are still the more highly entitled to my Endeavours in both respects; and I my self in all points of Humanity the more secure of your candid Interpretation . The undertaking then being yours by Birth , it has a Natural Claim to your Care ; And it being the Duty of Men to provide for their Off-Spring , it has a peculiar Right to your Patronage . Wherefore, with all due Deference and becoming Submission to your wiser Judgments , I lay the Dedication as well as the Work it self entirely at your Feet, in Hopes of your courteous Reception and benign Tutelage both at Home and Abroad: Upon which (in short) I beg Leave to Subscribe my self, with profound Veneration ,