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.

by John Maubray

II. HE likewise, as the prime, common, remote, and physical Cause, governs and directs all other secundary Causes supereminently, which are subjected to, and dependent upon Himself; in constituting, organizing, and fomenting the CONCEPTION.

III. HE finally, as the proper, proximous, and immediate Cause, or Agent, directing none else, nor using any other Assistance in the Work, neither being directed nor assisted by any other, gives to the organiz’d human Foetus its greatest Completion; and the ultimate finishing Stroke of consummate Perfection, by infusing and communicating to it a Mind in a rational SOUL, by which the Foetus becomes MAN.

AND this Infusion comes immediately from, and of Himself, who is (in Aristotle’s Words): “The Form and Former of the Universe, the ultimate End, the final and efficient Cause of all celestial Bodies, and created Beings.”

BUT now, as to the Time of this great Work of Animation, Naturalists agree, that it requires double the Space that Formation had from Conception: which seems so far probable, because at that time, and no sooner, the Infant may be sensibly perceiv’d to move; and that by the Influence of calid and siccid Mars, who (according to Astrologers) now takes charge of it in the third Month. For by virtue of his hot Quality, he perfecteth the three principal Members, separating the Legs, Arms, and Head (in due proportion) from the rest: Wherefore this auspicious Planet is called the Author of the Infant’s Motion. So that, in fine, conformable to what is laid down in the preceeding Chapter, the Work of Animation is perfected, at soonest, about the 70th, and at latest, about the 100th Day from CONCEPTION. Which being done, I proceed to the next principal Work in constituting the Man.

CHAP. IX
Of the MATURATION of the INFANT.

NATURALISTS allow the Infant, for its ripening in the Womb, and to the legitimate Time of Birth, treble the Space that Animation had; as Physicians agree in allowing this treble the Time that the first Motion had from Conception: and from hence the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, &c. are called ripening Months.

IN the fourth Month, Astrologers will have the Planet Sol to reign over the Infant; whose calid Quality gives it entire Life, fully perfecting the Members, excavating the Bones, and amplifying the Pores and Passages of the Body.

AS, in the Fifth, Venus presides over the Infant; who, by her Frigidity and Humidity, mitigates the Heat and Siccity impressed on it by the superiour Planets, absolutely perfecting the Lineaments of the external Members. According to which Principles, she, in a word, forms the Privities of both Sexes; and adds Beauty and Ornament to the Nose, Mouth, Hands, Fingers, and all the rest of the visible Parts.

AS also, in the sixth Month, Mercury takes his Turn to assist the Infant, which puts the last finishing Hand to the Work; perfecting the Organs of the Voice, enlarging the Eyes, Eye-lids, Brows, and Nails; promoting and confirming the Instruments of Motion; and at last, absolving and compleating whatever the others have commenced.