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

“EGO, inquit, Autor sum, ut Virgines hoc malo affectæ quàm celerrimè viris conjungantur; iisq; cohabitent: Si enim conceperint, convalescent. Si verò in pubertate hoc malo non corripiantur, tum paulo post eas invadit.”

UPON which excellent Sentence, the two following Observations may, (I hope) appositely here follow and take place, viz.

I. Quod etiam Ratione & Experientiâ confirmatur[^[34]]: Venere etenim Uterus & partes circa Uterum incalescunt, viæq; aperiuntur & laxantur, ut sanguis Menstruus postea faciliùs ad Uterum confluere & per eundem effluere possit.

II. Rectissimè etiam dictum, convalescent, si concipiant; quia Sanguis, qui præter Naturam antea retinebatur, jam in Fœtûs Formationem absumitur; & si quid vitiosorum humorum in Utero cumulatum sit, id post partum evacuatur.

I have thought it proper to insist the more upon this Head; because I know none else among all the Indispositions of Life, which can properly be accounted peculiar to Virgins.

SOME however may think perhaps, that I had a fair Opportunity in this Place, to introduce the various Diseases and Symptoms of the WOMB, VAGINA, and PUDENDUM; the divers Symptoms of the Menstruous Flux, together with Those which are incident to all Women after Puberty.

WHICH Objection I humbly beg leave briefly to answer, that a twofold Reason dissuaded me from undertaking to treat of Those Heads in this Place.

I. BECAUSE They are common to all Women in general, and incident to the Wife, or Widow, as well as to the Virgin; wherefore, I hope, another Place in this BOOK may be assigned to Them, more proper and convenient than This, without any Digression.

II. BY reason the several Branches of these Heads are so very many and different, that to discuss ’em all Here, as I ought to do, would too much swell the Bulk of the Volume, and enhance the Price of this BOOK; which I design for the Good of the poorer Sort of Women, as well as the Benefit of the Rich. However, what is most Essential and necessarily Requisite, shall not be omitted (at least coincidently) in its proper Place. Wherefore I shall leave the Virgin, after a digressive Hint in the following Section, upon her darling Passion, [LOVE]: and supposing her to have alter’d her Condition, I shall thenceforward treat her as a Wife.