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

“Nulli illum Pueri, nullæ optavêre Puellæ.

“Sic Virgo dum intacta manet, tum chara suis; sed

“Cùm Castum amisit polluto Corpore florem,

“Nec Pueris jucunda manet, nec grata Puellis.

This I take to be a notable Emblem both of the HYMEN and of VIRGINITY itself.

OTHERS again affirm, that the Effusion of Blood, in the first Act, is common to all VIRGINS; founded upon the Authority of the 22d Chap. of Deut. &c: By which ’tis plain, that this Criterion or Mark, has been of the nicest Consequence among the Jews; as also in several other Nations: according to Claudianus in the Epithalamium of Honorius, viz.—

“Et vestes Tyrio Sanguine fulgidas

“Alter Virgineus nobilitet Cruor:

“Tum Victor madido prosiliat Thoro,

“Nocturni referens vulnera prælii.