V. IN the mean time, the Woman’s Breasts are all along to be kept very close and warm-cover’d with soft Cloaths, that the MILK may not curdle; which however is no ways yet in the beginning fit for the CHILD’s Nourishment, until the Conflux of the MILK and the Humours is over; which, upon the first days after DELIVERY, run in abundance to the Breasts.
VI. SPECIAL Care also must be taken, when the Woman is resolv’d not to Nurse the CHILD herself, that the Lochia or Child-Bed-Evacuations flow-off plentifully, in order that thereby the Shock of the BLOOD may be averted from the BREASTS; which if not sufficient to prevent that Inconveniency, they may be properly anointed with the Oil of ROSES and a little Vinegar beat-up together; or a CATAPLASM of the Meal of Beans and Vetches mixed with Oxymel may be applied to the BREASTS; or they may be fomented with a Decoction of the Leaves of Mint, Dill, or Parsley.
VII. IN the time of Cleansing, all Noise and Clamour about the Woman ought to be suppressed; and as she herself ought not to talk much, or aloud, neither ought any Person about her to be obstreperous: Because her Repose is not only thereby disturb’d, but also her Spirits exagitated; which violent Commotion of Humours may readily stop the natural Course. And as for the same Reason, all Passions of the Mind are to be suppressed; so the Woman is to keep herself as much as she conveniently can upon her Back, carefully avoiding frequent TURNINGS to either Side.
VIII. AFTER ten or twelve Days, proper Measures may be taken to fortify and strengthen the Members; and after she has fully done cleansing (which may be about the 20th Day, sooner or later after DELIVERY, according to the Patient’s Constitution, or her way of Living) some proper Astringent Medicines may be discreetly made use of, for corroborating and reconsolidating the Parts.
IX. AS to her DIET, during this Time, she ought to be very regular, and live abstemiously (especially the first Days) as if she had a Fever, using only good Broths, Jellies, fresh-laid Eggs, Ale-soup made with fresh Butter, or the like; after which, she may begin by degrees to eat a little Chicken, Pullet, Capon, Veal, Mutton, or any thing else of good Nutrition and easy Concoction.
AS to her DRINK, if she has no Fever, she may use besides her Cawdles, small White-Wine and Water for Variety’s sake; but in case of a Fever, Water boil’d with a little Cinnamon, or Coriander-Seed; or a Ptisan of Liquorish, Figs, and Aniseeds boil’d in Water; or small Ale a little butter’d, as the Woman pleases, are far more convenient; observing always carefully that her DRINK, of whatsoever sort, be at all times a little warmed.
X. FINALLY, as the Child-Bed-Woman’s Body is always to be kept open, if not otherways naturally so, by a proper gentle CLYSTER, repeated as often as Necessity requires, until the Course of the Lochia is quite over; so afterwards she ought to take one or more proper gentle Purges, for cleansing the Stomach and the Bowels of such vitious Humours, as Nature could not otherways evacuate: Upon which, a repeated Strengthening BATH may be most pertinently used, as also, in order that she may again the more successfully begin upon a new Score, other proper Measures may be prudently taken.
THUS we suppose that all things have succeeded well with our Puerperial Woman; in which Condition the above-mention’d is her only requisite REGIMEN: But in Case of any Preternatural Accident, we must come to her Assistance, according as the Nature of Circumstances does require: Of all which in their Order, as they most commonly happen to the Woman in her present Condition; and FIRST——
