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

IN order to which, I may justly premise, that the Proximous Cause is a Collection of deprav’d crude Humours in the Body: As the Remote Cause, is a Suppression, or Irregularity in the Course of the Menstruous Blood.

NOW this Blood flowing to the Womb, as soon as the VIRGIN is Mature; if the Passages are not capacious or patent enough, it regorges to the Major Veins, and thence to the very Bowels; extinguishing the Heat, and obstructing the Vessels of the LIVER, SPLEEN, and MESENTERY: From whence proceeds a vicious Concoction and Sanguification; and consequently a Collection of crude Humours, which excite various Symptoms thro’ all Parts of the Body. And it commonly happens, that an irregular or improper Way of Living, especially about the Time of Puberty, or in the Time of the natural Course, engenders a pituitous and viscid Blood; which, together with the aforesaid Humours, totally obstructs the Uterine Vessels.

THIS Distemper is very dangerous, if not timely cur’d; because if the Heart be very much affected, and the Vital Faculty quite oppressed with it, the Patient often dies suddenly: Or, otherways, it commonly turns to a Dropsy; and, when the Humours fly into the Head, it causes a Frenzy.

NOW as I come gradually to set forth the Cure of this Distemper, I shall First observe; that, as various Diseases and Symptoms do concur towards its Complication, all These are to be discreetly remov’d by proper Means and Methods. But that I may be better understood, SOME are more prudently (perhaps) to be remov’d singly; and OTHERS, jointly: As for Instance, if any one Symptom be more troublesome and dangerous than the Rest, it ought to be chiefly regarded above All others; and, if not remov’d, at least mitigated in the First Place.

SECONDLY, That a proper Regulation of Diet and Regimen of Body, is to be judiciously directed, as another initial necessary Step towards the Cure; which we have hereafter more fully treated of.

THIRDLY, That this Distemper is more easily and sooner cur’d, in Spring or Summer-Time, than in Autumn or Winter; because when the proper Constitution of WEATHER and AIR concurs with the medicinal Means, more may be done towards effecting its Cure in a Week, than otherways can be expected in a Month. Wherefore These being premised, the Cure will most rationally depend upon the four following methodical STEPS; viz.

I. THAT the vitious Humours lodged in the Body, especially in the Bowels, be duly prepar’d for Expurgation, and then effectually evacuated.

II. THAT the Intemperature and Obstructions of the VENTRICLE, LIVER, SPLEEN, and WOMB, be All carefully and regularly removed.

III. THAT the Menstrua be duly rectify’d, and physically reduc’d to a Natural Course, by the best Conduct of Art and Judgment.

IV. THAT the Rest of the morbifick Humours, whether Crude, Aqueous, or Serous, lurking behind in the Body, be in due manner discharg’d.