The errours about euacuation are also an externall cause of diseases, and doe breed an internall cause afterwardes.
As in this disease the want of due and monethly euacuation, Altomarus. or the want of the benefit of marriage in such as haue beene accustomed or are apt thereunto, breeds a congestiõ of humors about that part, which increasing or corrupting in the place, causeth this disease. Hollerius cap. 59. Rond. c. 69. And therefore we do obserue that maidens and widowes are most subiect thereunto. Motion and rest being well ordered do preserue health, but being disordered do breed diseases, especially to much rest and slothfulnesse is a meanes of this griefe, by ingendering crudities and obstructions in womens bodies, by dulling the spirits and cooling naturall heate, &c. So likewise sleepe and watching, the one by benumming, the other by dissipation of the spirits and natural heate, may occasion this griefe.
Hinc Cicero Tusculanarum 3. perturbationes animi, morbos appellat. Lastly the perturbations of the minde are oftentimes to blame both for this and many other diseases. For seeing we are not maisters of our owne affections, wee are like battered Citties without walles, or shippes tossed in the Sea, exposed to all maner of assaults and daungers, euen to the ouerthrow of our owne bodies.
We haue infinite examples among our [51]Historiographers, and [52]Phisitions of such as haue dyed vpon ioy, griefe, loue, feare, shame, and such like perturbations of the mind: and of others that vpon the same causes haue fallen into grieuous diseases: as [53]women deliuered of their children before their time, vpon feare, anger, griefe, &c. others taken with the [54]Falling sickenesse, [55]Apoplexies, [56]Madnesse, [57]Swounding, [58]Palsies, and diuerse such like infirmities vpon the like causes.
And concerning this disease whereof we doe intreate, [59]Iohannes Montanus tels vs of a patient of his, who fell into the fits of the Mother vppon iealousie. [60]Forrestus of another, who had her fits whensoeuer shee was angred: and of another that vpon loue fell into this disease. My selfe do know a Gentlewoman, who upon the sight of one particular man would alwaies feele an vterin affect: and another that vpon feare of being chidden, or seeing another in the fit of the mother, would also fall into it her selfe.
Cap. 7.
Of the cure of this disease, so much as belongeth to the friends and attendants to performe.
The signes of this disease, seeing they are drawne principally from the causes and Symptoms before declared shall not neede any particular discourse, especially considering the vse of them belongeth properly to the Physition, to direct him in his cure. And therefore I thinke good to ease my selfe of this labour, which would bee altogether vnprofitable to the reader.
Concerning the cure also I thinke it not meete to say more then may concerne the friends and assistants vnto the patient to looke vnto: referring Physitions workes vnto Physitions. There are some things by the friendes to bee performed vnto the patient in regard of the [61]presẽt fit, & some things in regard of the cause. In the fit let the bodies bee kept [62]vpright, straight laced, and the belly & throat held downe with ones hand. Rondeltius Hollerius. Let heed be taken that they hurt not themselues by biting their fingers, striking their armes & legs against hard things, &c. apply euil smels to their nostrils, and sweet smels beneath [63]tie their legs hard with a garter for reuulsion sake, &c.